Rating: 
Summary: Interesting, tantalizing introduction to a new series
Review: This novel offers an novel of a feudal Japan reimagined by a skilled writer and student of Japanese culture. By creating two polarities, the "tribe" (ninja) and the "hidden" (pacifist), Hearn adds interest and dimension to what might be a routine novel of intrigue in post-Tokugawa Japan. The protagonists are well-drawn and likeable and the antagonists are well-realized enough to be interesting. This is a suspenseful introduction to what should be a highly enjoyable series.
Rating: 
Summary: A Disappointment for This Reader
Review: If "Japanese Tolkein-type fantasy" is what you are after, you should probably read other reviews for other folks' opinions, because I feel that I'm pretty biased about both this book and comparisons to Tolkein.I picked up this book based on both my fascination for medieval Japanese culture and my enjoyment of fantasy. I was disappointed in both respects. As a fantasy novel, this is perfectly servicable; the writing is spare and fine and (admirably for a fantasy novel, as all too often they drown under the author's delusions of what constitutes "fantasy writing," in my opinion) pretty much crystal clear. I found the characters to be a bit wooden, but that is hardly death in a book. I've read plenty of books with flat characters that I've enjoyed greatly. But the world; ah, the world. The world's the thing in fantasy books, isn't it? And I couldn't accept this world, this world of almost-but-not-quite medieval Japan. It was frustrating. I didn't know what I could hold on to. *Is* it medieval Japan, or not? What pieces of the culture were made up (for the author's convenience, or because that was the world the author created, I had no idea), and what were drawn straight from history? I felt almost as if I were going cross-eyed trying to decide. And after a while, honestly, I just gave up. I wanted medieval Japan, not almost. And while, yes, many fantasy novels draw on almost-medieval England, they somehow don't frustrate me nearly as much as this novel. Perhaps if you are more forgiving of this almost-but-not-quite thing, you will enjoy this novel. For me, it was just frustrating, and I didn't. Make up your own mind about that before you plunk down your 10 bones, and you'll probably be okay.
Rating: 
Summary: A good idea with a mediocre execution.
Review: While self-styled medievalists and other historically-correct types might take issue, England's feudal period has proven over time to be the strongest influence on fantasy fiction, bar none. In recent years other historical influences have crept in, such as C.J. Cherryh's Russian-themed RUSALKA and CHERNEVOG. Now the pseudonymous Lian Hearn tackles fantasy with a Japanese twist in ACROSS THE NIGHTINGALE FLOOR. The fantastic content is quite light in this, the first of three projected volumes that comprise the TALES OF OTORI. Hearn's Japan-esque fantasy world is very much like the "real" Japan depicted in stories of Musashi, or in the popular manga series, LONE WOLF AND CUB. Actual Japanese locations and even historical figures appear in the book. Even so, ACROSS THE NIGHTINGALE FLOOR is not set in Japan, but the fictional Three Countries, where people speak Japanese, have Japanese names, and follow Japanese customs. While fans of authors such as James Clavell might balk at such a literary treatment, authors of fantasy novels have done much the same thing with Britain and Europe for decades. Hearn's story is one of revenge, with elements of romance and tragedy in the mix. The book's young hero is rescued from a slaughter by the noble Lord Otori and introduced to the ruling class of the Three Countries, as well as to aspects of his own past that he never knew. Hearn clearly has an affection for the character of Japan and of the traditional adventure story. He includes all the essentials for such a tale, including ninja assassins (here called assassins of The Tribe), and two variations on forbidden love. The only real trouble arises from the bloodless tone Hearn employs, as well as glacial pacing. Despite the fact that the protagonist, Takeo, is handled in first person - the book's other lead, a young noble betrothed to Takeo's master, is written in third person - there's very little character given to him. All of the players, in fact, are portrayed in the coldest, most removed fashion. This makes certain plot developments, such as Takeo's sudden desire for his master's wife-to-be, and her reciprocal longing, utterly unbelievable, because there's been no indicator that the characters have much in the way of real emotion at all. Perhaps Hearn felt the need to pull back from the reader due to ACROSS THE NIGHTINGALE FLOOR being only the first of a series, but since he fails to invest the reader in the goings-on essential to his plot, he doesn't set a particularly strong foundation for what's to come later. His Japan-of-the-fantastic approach is definitely fresh and interesting, but when coupled with his cast of ciphers, the book becomes something of a chore even to finish. Now that someone has managed to crack Japan as a fantasy setting, it will be interesting to see what follows. It's unfortunate that Hearn wasn't able to keep his story and characters as fresh as his setting ideas, but as is so often the case with pioneers, realizing a concept proves more difficult than coming up with it. Perhaps later volumes of TALES OF THE OTORI will address ACROSS THE NIGHTINGALE FLOOR's weaknesses, but this reader will likely not find out.
Rating: 
Summary: An excellent read for all ages
Review: Having lived in Japan for 3 years and teaching Japanese now in London, I was delighted to find this book in the school library short listed for the Carnegie Medal awarded for an outstanding book for children. I enjoyed the book immensely and although some of the characters may seem unapproachable to some, they are authentically Japanese and mysterious. It was very hard to put down! It is fantastic to be able to recommend such a well written book to my students who are interested in Japan and studying Japanese. It gives accurate insight into the way of the Samurai, honour, and essential Japanese culture that is otherwise inaccessible and seemingly strange.
Rating:
Summary: very good, but nothing new
Review: Very absorbing, impossible to put down, but it
has been done before, and done better. Great beach
read.
Rating:
Summary: Classic
Review: Anyone who says you need to be a fantasy reader to love this book is crazy. I've never read fantasy, unless you count LORD OF THE RINGS (which I would call literature), and have no idea how this compares to fantasy. But I can say that it compares very well to the best books I've ever read. The writing is clean, elegant, not showy or flashy (which is probably why people are calling it "simple"), and that makes for a fast, powerful read. You know the style is intentional because the only writer/artist referenced in the whole book is Sesshu, who could create the image of beauty and movement with a few deft strokes. That's exactly what Hearn is up to here. The characters are fully drawn, real people dealing with recognizable problems. And these problems are secondary to the larger whims of what's happening in the world. I cared about them, believed in them, and they are still with me months after reading the book -- a sign of quality indeed. All in all, I feel safe saying that this book will be around for decades or more. If the other volumes live up to its standard, we have, as with LORD OF THE RINGS, a true classic work of imagination - whether you want to call it fantasy or literature. And if fantasy really is this good, I suppose I ought to be reading more of it!
Rating:
Summary: Shogun it is not
Review: If you did not enjoy the complexities of shogun, this book might be for you. Much less character and plot development. It also deals with small levels of magic. Still a very enjoyable read.
Rating:
Summary: Hmm...
Review: Basically, this book is a fantasy set in a Japanese-type world, dealing with warring between clans and a mysterious people called 'The Hidden'. It is told through the eyes of Takeo in first-person narration, and also includes chapters in third-person narrative about Kaede, a young girl. To begin, I have to say I didn't think this book was the sensation that most people seem to. It was better than most of the fantasy books I have read, but then, most of them were pretty bad. The way the book is written is indeed good, fitting the setting of the book and including many interesting images and descriptions. I was fascinated by the idea of a 'nightingale floor.' But that leads me onto one of my main problems with this book. The whole narrative appeared to be building up to Takeo crossing the nightingale floor, as would be implied by the title. Personally, I love challenges like that, so I was really looking forward to it. But when he finally did, he just ran across it easily and it was hardly even mentioned. I also found the many clans and their rivalries very confusing and couldn't keep them straight, which meant I didn't enjoy the book as much. But my main problem has to be the characterisation. It wasn't so much flat as it was very hard to identify with the characters. I didn't find Takeo or Kaede's love story moving as I simply didn't identify very much with either of them. Takeo's character could have been explored more deeply through the first-person narrative, while Kaede's felt a bit shallow and she had several very fast changes of mind. The book didn't make me think and seemed to be almost all action and plot, which is fine for some people but I would like to see more depth in the characters and more interesting ideas. Overall, it's quite a good read but only if you already like fantasy, it won't win anyone over to the genre in my opinion, and certainly isn't up to the standard of someone like Philip Pullman yet.
Rating:
Summary: Read it before it is on the Silver Screen!
Review: I've really enjoyed reading this book and love how it resembles the LOTR trilogy. I highly reccomend the book to fans of LOTR and for anyone that enjoys reading fantasy. It also reminds me a bit of Narnia. In addition, it is very fast paced which makes it an easy read. I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
Rating:
Summary: A lovely, entertaining screenplay
Review: I've now seen several mentions of this book which refer to it as "young adult" - seems accurate only in the sense that any interesting book might appeal to adults, young or old. There has also been much mention of magic and fantasy, and while the main character does develop abilities outside of the ordinary, the story relies less on magical thinking than good storytelling, a compelling setting in feudal Japan and a visually evocative writing style. It's clear through this writing style that the book is meant to translate readily to film. As the first of a trilogy, it comes to a satisfying conclusion while leaving the implications for the next installment clear - and just in case, there's a preview of book 2 at the end. This is an elegant and entertaining read, and will undoubtedly become a gorgeous film with impressive special effects.
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