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Grass for His Pillow

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Grass for His Pillow

By: Lian Hearn
Narrated by: Aiko Nakasone, Kevin Gray
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About this listen

Grass for His Pillow is the second novel in Lian Hearn's astonishingly beautiful series inspired by feudal Japan, Tales of the Otori.

In the ancient Oriental lands of the Otori, amidst a time of violent war, famine and treacherous alliances, the fate of the young lovers Otori Takeo and Shirakawa Kaede hangs in the balance . . .

Takeo, heir to the great Otori clan, has pledged his life to the secret Tribe. His supernatural skills of virtual invisibility and acute hearing make him their most deadly assassin. But he must deny the solemn oath of vengeance he made, his adopted birthright of wealth, land and power – and his love for Kaede. If he does not devote himself entirely to the brutal ways of the Tribe, they will kill him. Whichever path he chooses, it will lead to hardship and sacrifice in the bitter winter of the high mountains, and test him to the limits of his being.

Kaede, heiress to vast lands, is now the valuable pawn of ruthless warlords. She must use her intelligence, beauty and cunning to assert her place in a world of all-powerful men – who must never suspect the dangerous secret she hides.

 Fantasy Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction Science Fiction & Fantasy

Critic reviews

A thrilling tale of love, violence, loyalty and betrayal.
The plot is gripping and the writing is beautiful, packed with authentic, atmospheric detail.
The writing is extraordinary . . . Virtually pitch perfect.
An enthralling and original work of fantasy.
The beauty, savagery and strangeness of Hearn's gripping tale is heightened by her exquisite, crystalline prose. The second instalment in the Tales of the Otori is, astonishingly, even better than Across the Nightingale Floor.
All stars
Most relevant
Read these stories years ago and was excited to find the Audible versions enjoyed them as much as the books narration was very good one more to hear then maybe start again

Good stories about Japan

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I love this series... lost count how many times I have read it. and now listening to it, adds a whole new dimension

dope

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Beautifully writted and read. Cannot wait to read the third book. This is the second time i am reading this series and the first time through Audible. I have not been disappointed

Great read

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but not a patch on first book.. didn't seem to have the deeper feeling.. but book one was so good so not unexpected

decent...

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The narration adds to the wonderful storytelling of Lian Hearn. I can't recommend this series enough. Masterful and lyrical.

The sequel is as excellent as the first

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