Across the Nightingale Floor
Author: Lian Hearn
Year: 2005
Do you remember the story of Taiko? Lord of the Rings? This book somewhat has the same characteristic. It is the first part of a trilogy. It tells us about ancient life, wars, intricacies, passion, and conspiracy. With the setting of Japan in feudal age, it shows the life of a young man named Takeo. He had been so traumatic due to his family massacre that he could barely talk afterwards. Takeo was a name awarded by his foster father, Lord Shigeru from Otori Klan.
Little was known why the lord made the decision, but then Takeo figured it out himself that it would have something to do with the rivalry between Lord Shigeru and Lord Iida Sadamu of Tohan Klan, the slaughter of Takeo’s family. His disappearing ability to talk happened in parallel with his increasing hearing ability. The last seemed to answer the question since every klan needed such a master as a spy.
The nightingale floor was actually the floor with which Lord Iida protected his palace, his power and his life. No one could ever walk on it without being known. The floor would deliver a specific sound so every presence would not go unnoticed.
Another interesting profil is Kenji, a best friend of Lord Shigeru. He was a Tribe, a group led by Kikuta. Takeo was surprised when Kenji told him that he came from the same Tribe, a klan which devotes to whoever the payor. The Tribe belonged to no party, they flied freely from one project to another. Kenji intended to bring Takeo back to Tribe community since it was against the nature of the Tribe to give devotion to a particular klan. It was confusing for Takeo. He wouldn’t forget how Lord Shigeru had helped him all along. Moreover, being a Tribe didn’t seem so fascinating for him.
The love stories flew in circles. Lord Sadamu had passion for a lady who was involved with Lord Shigeru. Takeo had a strong feeling to Kaede Shiragawa a young girl who had been jailed in the castil by an agreement between Lord Iida with the girl’s father. However, for political aim, Kaede was to marry Lord Shigeru. But before the wedding day, Lord Iida made a move toward Kaede and resulted in a bloody murder.
Although at the end of the book we can consider that the case with Lord Iida has been solved, but I can’t wait the next book, Grass for Her Pillows, due to my curiousness about what happen to Lord Shigeru : will his sincerity and genuineness turn him into foolishness and cost him the life of himself and the klan? If Lord Shigeru died, who would inherit the klan?
Rate: 7/10
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