Grass for His Pillow, Episode 1: Lord Fujiwara's Treasures

Tales of the Otori #2 part 1

by Lian Hearn

Adopted by an Otori Lord, orphan Takeo rises to become a closely held member of the Tribe while his love, Maruyama heir Shirakawa Kaede, returns home to a shattered family only to realize she can rely on no one but herself. Original.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Young Adult

178 pages, Paperback

First published September 8, 2005

About the author

Lian Hearn's beloved Tales of the Otori series, set in an imagined feudal Japan, has sold more than four million copies worldwide and has been translated into nearly forty languages. It is comprised of five volumes: ACROSS THE NIGHTINGALE FLOOR, GRASS FOR HIS PILLOW, BRILLIANCE OF THE MOON, THE HARSH CRY OF THE HERON and HEAVEN'S NET IS WIDE. The series was followed by two standalone novels, BLOSSOMS AND SHADOWS and THE STORYTELLER AND HIS THREE DAUGHTERS, also set in Japan.

Hearn's forthcoming series: The Tale of Shikanoko will be published by FSG in 4 volumes in 2016. Book 1 will be EMPEROR OF EIGHT ISLANDS out in late-April 2016, followed by book 2: AUTUMN PRINCESS, DRAGON CHILD (June), book 3: LORD OF THE DARKWOOD (August), and the final book (#4) THE TENGU'S GAME OF GO (late-Sept. 2016).

Lian has made many trips to Japan and has studied Japanese. She read Modern Languages at Oxford and worked as an editor and film critic in England before immigrating to Australia.

Reviews

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lord Fujiwara's Treasures begins the second book in the Tales of the Otori, serving as the first act of Grass for His Pillow. If this is confusing, welcome to the club. Grass for His Pillow is the second book, but it's published in two parts, this one being the first. It's not even a complete story, since there's no conclusion here.

The story continues Takeo's and Keade's stories, though after meeting and falling in love in the first book, they wind up separated here. Obligations force them apart, and they find themselves as key players in the political machinations in this alternate feudal Japan. Hearn continues to tell a compelling tale through her unassuming narrative, focusing on these two characters and their intensely personal lives. Her style is gentle but insistent; it's hard to feel like much is happening, but the story winds through several settings and characters in a complicated political plot.

This series is billed as a fantasy, but it reads more like a historical novel than anything else. Fantasy readers might be surprised to find a story atypically fantasy, but readers of historical fiction (especially those with an interest in Japanese culture) should love it. I'm looking forward to seeing this series through.

[Bobby H · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not know when I got it that is was the second in a serial. But, that was not a hindrance. The story flowed well enough that I understood the back well enough to follow the book.
Excellent writing which transported my to Medieval Japan. Now I need more of these.

[Lea Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best trilogy ever.

[Ian Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third book of the series gave me a similar feel and I was already hooked on the style of writing.

What I liked about it was the plot and story elements. Sure it seemed a bit less action-packed for most of the way, focusing more on the collecting of power and alliances, rebuilding of the Maruyama lands. But it was still really good. It was kind of like the first two parts were the intro, the child-like adventuring antics and this books was now the time to start growing and learn more mature matters of the world and management of ones life and home. I also liked the change of pace in how a lot of the perspective and junkier parts focused on Kaede, at least that's how it felt to me.

As a male reader its not something I tend to get to experience as often in stories.

[Iis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Description
Abducted by his teacher, Kenji, Takeo is condemned to work as an assassin, an enforced occupation that his father sacrificed his life to escape. Still he is determined to carry on the name of the Otori. At the same time, his beloved Shirakawa Kaede, heir to the Maruyama, returns home to a shattered family and an uncertain future, and quickly realizes that she can rely on no one but herself.

[Dani Ristyawati]

Perjalanan Otori Takeo dalam menaklukkan beberapa wilayah untuk dijadikan kekuasannya semakin menarik karena dibumbui upaya balas dendam dari berbagai pihak yang ingin menghancurkan Takeo. Namun disisi lain Takeo juga berniat untuk membalaskan dendam orang-orang yang ia kasihi...

Buku kedua sarat dengan amarah dan dendam yang mewarnai kisahnya, sangat sayang untuk dilewatkan.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

The next episode and this one was the best yet, because it centered on Kaede (the main female character) and how she changes from a whiny victim into a powerful and interesting leader. I am much more intrigued to see how see will fit into the series now. Still love Takeo's storyline and him being humbled more in this one. So all in all, great character development here.

[Christine Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clean and precise use of language coupled with a strong character-driven, crafted plot made this novel very enjoyable. I cared about the characters and was imaginatively drawn into their world, leaving the reality that Iinhabit behind.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

"2nd of the story of Takoe Otori, and ends as he marries Kaede. More about escapes and alliances than the first, and not as thrilling, but still important to the series."

[Desira · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book makes me unable to stop reading.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deliciousness!