Across the Nightingale Floor: Tales of the Otori Book One

Made me enjoy my long car rides even more. I loved the male reader. Very calming and mystical.

What a great book! The narrators were wonderful, too. I was surprised to learn that the writer is a Westerner and the locations are fictional. I can't wait for the next one.

Love at first sight, riding and swordsmanship, oaths of fealty, forbidding castles, political marriages, magic tutors...This book has more of chivalry than most Arthurian tales. There are two narrators: a male narrator reading the sections seen from the boy's point of view, and a woman reading the girl's point of view. One of these is just fine and the other has a rather dull delivery.

Loved this book. Beautiful use of language.

I loved this book. Fascinating story. Loyalty, honor, love.

This was absolutely beautiful. The narrators did a great job. I look forward to listening to the rest of the series.

Excellent book. Beautifully written and very well narrated. Although the Japan depicted was imaginary, Lian Hearn did a very good job of adhering to the ancient Japanese way of life, the hierarchical structure of their society, etc. So the environment he created felt real. Because the book is abridged you will miss some details, particularly it seems in Takeo’s training, but those omissions did not take away from the excellent story line. I cannot wait to receive the next book in the series, which is unabridged.

Great story and great narrators. I would be interested to hear the unabridged version but the abridged version was wonderful. Often, abridged books seem thin but I really enjoyed this one. I look forward to more books by this author.

I don't usually rent abridged versions of books but this one was excellent. The story grabbed my attention from the beginning and made me want more. I am facinated by Takeo's fight to stay alive when so many are trying to kill or control him. I cheered Kaede's struggle to claim her freedom and independence as a woman. Their love is very powerful and engaging I hope they get some long years together. Can't wait to listen to book two.

This isn't the typical book I would go for, but I ended up looking forward to my commutes so that I could continue listening to it. If you compare it to calligraphy, it makes sense... a quick glance just shows some simple lines of ink on a page, but there is more to it. Written in simple and straightforward language, it was clear and direct, and built on the shoulders of Japanese samurai fancy.

I got this book in the mail not even remembering I had ordered it. What a great surprise. Action, adventure, romance, mysticism, it's got it all. For me the reader can make or break the book. The woman reader was annoying the man reader was good.

Compelling. Action packed. The imaginary setting seems real.

Interesting premise, good characterization. Reminds me of James Clavell's Asian Saga novels (King Rat, Noble House, Shogun, Tai-pan) in that it immerses the reader in the culture and teaches while entertaining.

Wonderful! Can't wait for the next set of CD's to see what happens.

Great listen. I was drawn into the story right away. I look forward to the rest of the series.

I loved the world that was created in this book. Great surpize that there were two narrators, really counter-pointed the male/female lead characters.