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Tales of the Otori #2
Grass for His Pillow
Grass for His Pillow is the second book in the Tales of the Otori series by Lian Hearn. Don't miss the related series, The Tale of Shikanoko.
Praised for its epic scope and descriptive detail, Across the Nightingale Floor , the first book in the Tales of the Otori series, was an international bestseller and critical success, named by the London Times as "the most compelling novel to have been published this year." With Grass for His Pillow , Book Two, we return to the medieval Japan of Lian Hearn's creation—a land of harsh beauty and deceptive appearances. In a complex social hierarchy, amid dissembling clans and fractured allegiances, there is no place for passionate young love. The orphan Takeo has been condemned to work as an assassin—an enforced occupation that his father sacrificed his own life to escape. Meanwhile, Takeo’s beloved Shirakawa Kaede, heir to the Murayama and alone in the world, must find a way to unify the domain she has inherited, as she fights off the advances of would-be suitors and hopes against fading hope that Takeo will return to her...
Praised for its epic scope and descriptive detail, Across the Nightingale Floor , the first book in the Tales of the Otori series, was an international bestseller and critical success, named by the London Times as "the most compelling novel to have been published this year." With Grass for His Pillow , Book Two, we return to the medieval Japan of Lian Hearn's creation—a land of harsh beauty and deceptive appearances. In a complex social hierarchy, amid dissembling clans and fractured allegiances, there is no place for passionate young love. The orphan Takeo has been condemned to work as an assassin—an enforced occupation that his father sacrificed his own life to escape. Meanwhile, Takeo’s beloved Shirakawa Kaede, heir to the Murayama and alone in the world, must find a way to unify the domain she has inherited, as she fights off the advances of would-be suitors and hopes against fading hope that Takeo will return to her...
368 pages, Paperback
First published August 11, 2003
426 people are currently reading
5820 people want to read
About the author
Lian Hearn
56 books1,823 followersLian 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 829 reviews
January 9, 2019
After the emotional events of the first book, the two lovers in this Japanese Shogunate-ish fantasy are split up. He's on the road and she must defend her new position as the head of her household. Winter is coming, indeed, in this tragic -- and beautiful -- setting.
Tone and setting are where this book shines, but the main characters have really grown into their own even if their situations are rather horrible. Or you know their situations are only going to get REALLY bad soon, anyway. :)
These ARE tragedies. Tearjerker tragedies.
And damn... I hate to say this, but all these old-time Japanese are just THUGS. Murderous brigands pretending to be honorable. Just... wow.
Tone and setting are where this book shines, but the main characters have really grown into their own even if their situations are rather horrible. Or you know their situations are only going to get REALLY bad soon, anyway. :)
These ARE tragedies. Tearjerker tragedies.
And damn... I hate to say this, but all these old-time Japanese are just THUGS. Murderous brigands pretending to be honorable. Just... wow.
January 11, 2019
The emotional turmoil doesn't let up. And to think I already know what will happen so I should be prepared!
This second book starts shortly after the first. Takeo has been taken hostage by the Tribe and is kept in a secret house so Arai's forces can't find him (Arai, thinking Takeo betrayed him, is furious). Kaede, meanwhile, convinces Arai to let her go to her family's estate for now, only to find it in shambles and severely damaged. Not only natural catastrophes (earthquakes, typhoons and the likes) but also mismanagement and her father losing a battle against Arai's forces are to blame. Her father, shunning daughters no matter how intelligent they are and blaming them for making him too weak to kill himself honourably, finally agrees to teach Kaede how to manage estates.
There is also Kaede's neighbour, a nobleman from the capital called Fujiwara, who consideres her a rare jewel to be collected.
It doesn't really matter which group of people we look at - Kaede's father with his retainers, Fujiwara and his, the Tribe - they are all the most despicable human beings imaginable. From how Kaede's father talks about his daughters to , I didn't know who I wanted to die first.
Once again, it's a tactful, beautifully written tale that very accurately describes a fictional (but very realistic) feudal Japan. Nevertheless, the author managed to subtly include female characters that at least see the problem with the system and are trying to break free.
One of the most heartbreaking things in this second installment was . However, my heart also broke when . Sure, !
Most of all, though, I hate the hypocrisy and lies of these people. They talk about honour but what, for example, is honorable about 13-year-olds and even younger children having to kill themselves when their disgraced fathers take their own lives?! It’s just an easy way for the victors of a conflict of getting rid of entire rival bloodlines. As usual, however, these bullies are really good at hiding any rottenness in fine silks. Disgusting!
Another great example for the pretense of honour and community is the Tribe itself, of course. It came as no surprise to me when we discovered who had killed Takeo's biological father. But it is frustrating beyond belief how these people, time and time again, are getting away with such behaviour.
The ending of this installment was therefore balm for my soul, which is why I hated that prophecy so much!
October 25, 2022
4.5 Stars.
Kaede has inherited the Shirakawa and Maruyama domains. Yet this seems more of a curse than a blessing. Storms have ravaged the lands that are now in disrepair and poverty pervades the land. With the army disbanded Kaede must use all her intelligence and courage to remain in power. She must quickly learn the strategies and how to manoeuvre in a political world that she has never set foot in. Armies need to be raised and broken alliances need to be mended. Failure to do so and the other clans, already sensing blood in the water, will move fast and ruthlessly.
Takeo trapped by his oath to the Tribe, has renounced his claim as the Otori heir, and is training with them, honing his incredible powers. He is torn, not sure of his identity. Born to the peaceful Hidden, Heir to the powerful Otori, and gifted with all the powers of the Tribe. One thing that will never change is his love for Kaede. This love is the most important part of his life, sometimes the only thing keeping him going is the glimmer of hope that he may somehow find a way to return to her. And yet leaving the Tribe is a death sentence and Kaede does not even know that he is still alive.
This is the second book in the “Tales of the Otori” series. The writing improves and the YA feeling of the first novel disappears. Quite simply if you enjoyed the first novel, you will enjoy this one. It is great to see that Kaede plays a dominant role in this book, and we find just how resourceful and resilient she is. A character just as important as Takeo.
A great second book to follow the first.
Kaede has inherited the Shirakawa and Maruyama domains. Yet this seems more of a curse than a blessing. Storms have ravaged the lands that are now in disrepair and poverty pervades the land. With the army disbanded Kaede must use all her intelligence and courage to remain in power. She must quickly learn the strategies and how to manoeuvre in a political world that she has never set foot in. Armies need to be raised and broken alliances need to be mended. Failure to do so and the other clans, already sensing blood in the water, will move fast and ruthlessly.
Takeo trapped by his oath to the Tribe, has renounced his claim as the Otori heir, and is training with them, honing his incredible powers. He is torn, not sure of his identity. Born to the peaceful Hidden, Heir to the powerful Otori, and gifted with all the powers of the Tribe. One thing that will never change is his love for Kaede. This love is the most important part of his life, sometimes the only thing keeping him going is the glimmer of hope that he may somehow find a way to return to her. And yet leaving the Tribe is a death sentence and Kaede does not even know that he is still alive.
This is the second book in the “Tales of the Otori” series. The writing improves and the YA feeling of the first novel disappears. Quite simply if you enjoyed the first novel, you will enjoy this one. It is great to see that Kaede plays a dominant role in this book, and we find just how resourceful and resilient she is. A character just as important as Takeo.
A great second book to follow the first.
February 18, 2018
This read was me giving this series a second shot. After not enjoying the first book, I decided to carry as it has really good ratings here on goodreads. Unfortunately, as much as it pains me to abandon a series, especially one by an Aussie author, I will not be continuing on.
I had the exact same issues with this book as I did with the first. Mainly, it was just boring. For a book about politics, warriors and war it is just so damn predictable. The writing was beautiful (as in the first) but this did not save it for me.
My other issue was this book was the excessive occurrence of characters threatening to or committing seppuku. Nearly every single character at some point, says they are going to commit suicide because they have 'dishonoured' themselves. It was so frequent it lost all impact and quite frankly became a bit offensive.
I had the exact same issues with this book as I did with the first. Mainly, it was just boring. For a book about politics, warriors and war it is just so damn predictable. The writing was beautiful (as in the first) but this did not save it for me.
My other issue was this book was the excessive occurrence of characters threatening to or committing seppuku. Nearly every single character at some point, says they are going to commit suicide because they have 'dishonoured' themselves. It was so frequent it lost all impact and quite frankly became a bit offensive.
February 3, 2017
A great series about ancient Japan with its samurais and their conduct codes, ninja-like fighters, Christians' persecutions; it has political scheming, interesting twists and turns, intriguing liaisons between characters, sword fights, love, treachery, friendship.
The characters are well-developed, complex, with inner turmoil and weaknesses.
The characters are well-developed, complex, with inner turmoil and weaknesses.
“Death comes suddenly and life is fragile and brief. No one can alter this either by prayers or spells.”
January 28, 2019
The second book is about the aftermath of the fall of the evil Tohan by a new warlord named Arai; all of which happen out of screen, since showing takes effort compared to just throwing in an infodump. The new warlord ain’t any better than the Tohan, since he also kills anyone who disagrees and plans to waste the protagonist and anyone around him just to make sure he won’t turn against him next. Something which the hero eventually does because he would be killed if he didn’t, therefore the new villain is an idiot.
Kaede, the hero’s sweetheart, is pregnant after that morbid sex scene in the previous book, and lies about the identity of the father in an attempt to save both of their lives. So yeah, Shigeru, the good feudal lord from the first book, is now the father, and Arai is stupid enough to believe he can’t kill his baby without causing a rebellion from all those who loved Shigeru. A rebellion that never happened when Shigeru was killed, but will somehow happen by the death of an unborn baby.
Kaede returns to her palace, in a territory ruined by wars, bad harvests, and a semi-crazy man who happens to be her father. Once again the world building is the best part of the book, since we get to fully understand what it’s like to live in a feudal society where honor is above all, to the point hara-kiri is the ultimate expression of it. It’s all about following traditions, being obedient, and gutting yourself when something goes terribly wrong.
It’s the character motivations that come off ham-fisted because of author Lian’s dislike of male sexism, as she constantly makes the lords ridiculing Kaede every time she wants to take the initiative and help out her father in restoring the land. There is a difference between telling a woman to shut up because she has a vagina and acting like a complete jerk; but author Lian doesn’t bother to tell which is which. She even goes as far as having Kaede’s crazy father trying to rape her like the asshole male he is, before getting killed by the deus ex machina of a ninja, which the hero trained with in the first book.
After that lazy resolution, the ninja helps her out in gaining control of the household by killing everyone who doesn’t accept her as his leader. Something which is evil when a man like Arai does it, but very heroic when Kaede does it… with the help of a man. Feminism for the win, right guys? Yes, it’s supposed to represent how there is no good or evil in the society they are living in, since everyone needs to dirty his hands in order to get on top of things. The way it was portrayed though doesn’t feel like that, since Kaede is clearly favored over any other man. What follows the violent take over, is her falling ill and miscarriages, thus being victimized in the eyes of the reader. See guys? Arai didn’t lose his baby. Kaede did, so feel sorry for her even if she is doing the exact same crap as the villain.
In the meantime, our hero Takeo is trained harshly by the ninjas in order to become a ruthless killer. He learns all sorts of ninja tricks and even kills some poor guys who were marked for death because they did the unforgivable crime of speaking their minds and being liberal. This part is showing again how inhumane this society of obedience really is. It treats people as objects or cattle. Both Kaede and Takeo are seen by their superiors as nothing more than breeders of powerful successors. The ninja masters go as far as having Takeo being seduced by a kunoichi, so she can get pregnant and offer them a ninja offspring with hidden powers such as his.
Takeo eventually betrays these assholes after he finds out they also murdered his father for not wanting to kill innocents anymore, and because they use him as nothing more than a stallion for knocking off all their females. Great story for a hentai, but this is not that type of a story. He seeks refuge in the wilderness, where he is aided by the Hidden, the tribe he grew up with. Once more we see Lian doing a lazy job by portraying these people as the obvious victims the reader is supposed to care about, while she is also pretending to keep things grey for both heroes and villains. If you ask me, the only reason these guys are mistreated is because they are pacifists who are never fighting back and author Lian is pro-pacifism.
And if you think that wasn’t bad enough, they have their own seer who gives the protagonist a prophecy. OH SHIT HERE WE GO AGAIN! Like a true shounen adventure that has to include a special hero with special powers, fate is working in his favor all the way. He’s not simply a super ninja, he also has noble blood, so he’s allowed to be the ruler of the land. Which he does because the prophesy said so. Great job at ruining the suspense Lian, can I stop reading now since you spoiled the ending? Also, the same prophesy says he will be killed by his own son, so I guess all he has to do is not have any sons. Oh, and thanks for also telling us he didn’t chose to leave the ninjas with his free will; it was God who forced him to do it. Fatalism: taking away the responsibilities of your actions since the invention of religions.
After this revelation, plot convenience spiral out of control and Naruto~er, I mean Takeo, keeps getting saved or finds out what he has to do next, with minimal effort. The most improbable random encounters with allies take place, so Takeo can save his life, find Kaede and marry her. And now things are free to can get worse from here.
Kaede, the hero’s sweetheart, is pregnant after that morbid sex scene in the previous book, and lies about the identity of the father in an attempt to save both of their lives. So yeah, Shigeru, the good feudal lord from the first book, is now the father, and Arai is stupid enough to believe he can’t kill his baby without causing a rebellion from all those who loved Shigeru. A rebellion that never happened when Shigeru was killed, but will somehow happen by the death of an unborn baby.
Kaede returns to her palace, in a territory ruined by wars, bad harvests, and a semi-crazy man who happens to be her father. Once again the world building is the best part of the book, since we get to fully understand what it’s like to live in a feudal society where honor is above all, to the point hara-kiri is the ultimate expression of it. It’s all about following traditions, being obedient, and gutting yourself when something goes terribly wrong.
It’s the character motivations that come off ham-fisted because of author Lian’s dislike of male sexism, as she constantly makes the lords ridiculing Kaede every time she wants to take the initiative and help out her father in restoring the land. There is a difference between telling a woman to shut up because she has a vagina and acting like a complete jerk; but author Lian doesn’t bother to tell which is which. She even goes as far as having Kaede’s crazy father trying to rape her like the asshole male he is, before getting killed by the deus ex machina of a ninja, which the hero trained with in the first book.
After that lazy resolution, the ninja helps her out in gaining control of the household by killing everyone who doesn’t accept her as his leader. Something which is evil when a man like Arai does it, but very heroic when Kaede does it… with the help of a man. Feminism for the win, right guys? Yes, it’s supposed to represent how there is no good or evil in the society they are living in, since everyone needs to dirty his hands in order to get on top of things. The way it was portrayed though doesn’t feel like that, since Kaede is clearly favored over any other man. What follows the violent take over, is her falling ill and miscarriages, thus being victimized in the eyes of the reader. See guys? Arai didn’t lose his baby. Kaede did, so feel sorry for her even if she is doing the exact same crap as the villain.
In the meantime, our hero Takeo is trained harshly by the ninjas in order to become a ruthless killer. He learns all sorts of ninja tricks and even kills some poor guys who were marked for death because they did the unforgivable crime of speaking their minds and being liberal. This part is showing again how inhumane this society of obedience really is. It treats people as objects or cattle. Both Kaede and Takeo are seen by their superiors as nothing more than breeders of powerful successors. The ninja masters go as far as having Takeo being seduced by a kunoichi, so she can get pregnant and offer them a ninja offspring with hidden powers such as his.
Takeo eventually betrays these assholes after he finds out they also murdered his father for not wanting to kill innocents anymore, and because they use him as nothing more than a stallion for knocking off all their females. Great story for a hentai, but this is not that type of a story. He seeks refuge in the wilderness, where he is aided by the Hidden, the tribe he grew up with. Once more we see Lian doing a lazy job by portraying these people as the obvious victims the reader is supposed to care about, while she is also pretending to keep things grey for both heroes and villains. If you ask me, the only reason these guys are mistreated is because they are pacifists who are never fighting back and author Lian is pro-pacifism.
And if you think that wasn’t bad enough, they have their own seer who gives the protagonist a prophecy. OH SHIT HERE WE GO AGAIN! Like a true shounen adventure that has to include a special hero with special powers, fate is working in his favor all the way. He’s not simply a super ninja, he also has noble blood, so he’s allowed to be the ruler of the land. Which he does because the prophesy said so. Great job at ruining the suspense Lian, can I stop reading now since you spoiled the ending? Also, the same prophesy says he will be killed by his own son, so I guess all he has to do is not have any sons. Oh, and thanks for also telling us he didn’t chose to leave the ninjas with his free will; it was God who forced him to do it. Fatalism: taking away the responsibilities of your actions since the invention of religions.
After this revelation, plot convenience spiral out of control and Naruto~er, I mean Takeo, keeps getting saved or finds out what he has to do next, with minimal effort. The most improbable random encounters with allies take place, so Takeo can save his life, find Kaede and marry her. And now things are free to can get worse from here.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2021
La historia comienza a los pocos días de los sucesos ocurridos en el libro anterior “el suelo del ruiseñor”; y se va desarrollando en dos líneas paralelas, en donde vamos conociendo todo lo que les va sucediendo a nuestros protagonistas: Takeo y Kaede.
Luego de toda la acción exhibida en los últimos capítulos de la primera entrega; nuestro protagonista Takeo debe cumplir su promesa e irse con la tribu, quienes lo van a instruir para que logre desplegar todas sus habilidades; en este punto se enfrentará con el conflicto primordial respecto a quien le debe lealtad si a los Otori o a la tribu. Además, conocerá su profecía, la cual le indicará sus victorias, derrotas y su muerte.
Por otro lado, Kaede vuelve a su hogar y ve la destrucción que hay en estos sumado a los problemas mentales en los que se encuentra su progenitor; decidiendo que ella se hará cargo de hacer resurgir sus tierras.
Básicamente, toda la historia nos narra la evolución de estos personajes respecto a los desafíos que se propone cada uno; ¡en donde el lector (en este caso yo) solo quiere es que se reúnan pronto! En donde la autora nos deja con un final, que lo único que quieres es comenzar la tercera entrega.
Sigo amando esta historia, como la primera vez que la leí.
Luego de toda la acción exhibida en los últimos capítulos de la primera entrega; nuestro protagonista Takeo debe cumplir su promesa e irse con la tribu, quienes lo van a instruir para que logre desplegar todas sus habilidades; en este punto se enfrentará con el conflicto primordial respecto a quien le debe lealtad si a los Otori o a la tribu. Además, conocerá su profecía, la cual le indicará sus victorias, derrotas y su muerte.
Por otro lado, Kaede vuelve a su hogar y ve la destrucción que hay en estos sumado a los problemas mentales en los que se encuentra su progenitor; decidiendo que ella se hará cargo de hacer resurgir sus tierras.
Básicamente, toda la historia nos narra la evolución de estos personajes respecto a los desafíos que se propone cada uno; ¡en donde el lector (en este caso yo) solo quiere es que se reúnan pronto! En donde la autora nos deja con un final, que lo único que quieres es comenzar la tercera entrega.
Sigo amando esta historia, como la primera vez que la leí.
January 25, 2016
I really enjoyed this series.... Well Done.....
April 27, 2019
Grass for His Pillow is the second book of the Tales of the Otori series by Lian Hearn.
Now before I begin, I must say that I really enjoyed the first book. Sure, it had cliches and elements about it that I would usually not enjoy, but I found it an excellent read. I love the fantasy Japanese inspired world as it is one of my passions and the world-building is very strong.
‘I did not want to kill him. But I did.’
However, Grass for His Pillow was a lot slower. After reading over 300 pages I am left with the feeling that nothing really happened. Seeing the development of characters within the first book was one of the reasons why I loved The Nightingale Floor so much, but book 2 contains near to no development in my opinion.
Unfortunately, it felt like a very shallow read. A filler and preparation book for what is to become for Takeo and Kaede. But, I did finish it! Lian Hearn has great prose and her writing, descriptions and structure is all very good.
'She shared the same deep sorrow but no tears came to her eyes. She would allow nothing to weaken the power that was coming to life within her.’
I will carry on the series, because Takeo is a great character and the books ended on a sort of cliffhanger, but it won’t be my priority within my tbr pile for now.
(It might not help that I’ve been reading dad’s first draft of A TIME OF COURAGE alongside this. I’m not biased but it’s very hard for a book to hold up against that. Wow…)
‘In the Tribe I was known as the Dog, but I preferred to think of myself like this wolf, no longer owned by anyone.’
2.5/5 - A book that flows well but all in all leaves you feeling like not that much has happened with the characters. But I’m sure it will ramp up in the next book.
Now before I begin, I must say that I really enjoyed the first book. Sure, it had cliches and elements about it that I would usually not enjoy, but I found it an excellent read. I love the fantasy Japanese inspired world as it is one of my passions and the world-building is very strong.
‘I did not want to kill him. But I did.’
However, Grass for His Pillow was a lot slower. After reading over 300 pages I am left with the feeling that nothing really happened. Seeing the development of characters within the first book was one of the reasons why I loved The Nightingale Floor so much, but book 2 contains near to no development in my opinion.
Unfortunately, it felt like a very shallow read. A filler and preparation book for what is to become for Takeo and Kaede. But, I did finish it! Lian Hearn has great prose and her writing, descriptions and structure is all very good.
'She shared the same deep sorrow but no tears came to her eyes. She would allow nothing to weaken the power that was coming to life within her.’
I will carry on the series, because Takeo is a great character and the books ended on a sort of cliffhanger, but it won’t be my priority within my tbr pile for now.
(It might not help that I’ve been reading dad’s first draft of A TIME OF COURAGE alongside this. I’m not biased but it’s very hard for a book to hold up against that. Wow…)
‘In the Tribe I was known as the Dog, but I preferred to think of myself like this wolf, no longer owned by anyone.’
2.5/5 - A book that flows well but all in all leaves you feeling like not that much has happened with the characters. But I’m sure it will ramp up in the next book.
August 22, 2025
As with Across the Nightingale Floor I felt the storytelling always took a lift whenever the women dominated the scene. Takeo remained the action hero - with perhaps more than a teenager's interest in active procreation. He is the unwilling Tribe member, being forced to learn the ways of the unseen assassin, the plotter and manipulator who must care only for the welfare of his own people, even if that means murdering the innocent. Away from the Tribe he becomes the feudal warlord, commander of the Otori, a swashbuckling swordsman and war leader ready to snatch Kaede into his arms and, with a slap of the thigh, mount his trusty steed and away into the forested countryside they go. With Takeo it's a bit Boy's Own stuff.
However, move to Kaede's life and there is depth: emotion, feeling, courage and cunning. Kaede has to face her dispirited father with the lie that she was married to Lord Shigeru and is carrying his child when the child is Takeo's and she is not married at all. Shizuka, the maid, the infiltrator from the Tribe, is still there at Kaede's side. Is she loyal or devious, supportive or plotting for the Tribe's benefit?
And a new character is brought into Kaede's world: wealthy Lord Fujiwara. Exiled from the Imperial court for a reason that is not explained, this extravagantly gay aesthete, who would caress a porcelain cup with the same appreciation as he would a pretty boy, boasts of having the delicate cruelty to eliminate those who oppose him with a refined sense of suffering. Fujiwara wants Kaede. Why is not made clear – perhaps it will be in volume three – he may be behaving as a collector, he may need a wife to legitimate himself and return to court. Who knows? It is a pity that he fades from the book so soon and Takeo's adventures take over.
The book ends with the expected cliffhanger. Can the united forces of Takeo and Kaede fight to regain their ancestral homes of Maruyama, Shirikawa and the Otori lands?
However, move to Kaede's life and there is depth: emotion, feeling, courage and cunning. Kaede has to face her dispirited father with the lie that she was married to Lord Shigeru and is carrying his child when the child is Takeo's and she is not married at all. Shizuka, the maid, the infiltrator from the Tribe, is still there at Kaede's side. Is she loyal or devious, supportive or plotting for the Tribe's benefit?
And a new character is brought into Kaede's world: wealthy Lord Fujiwara. Exiled from the Imperial court for a reason that is not explained, this extravagantly gay aesthete, who would caress a porcelain cup with the same appreciation as he would a pretty boy, boasts of having the delicate cruelty to eliminate those who oppose him with a refined sense of suffering. Fujiwara wants Kaede. Why is not made clear – perhaps it will be in volume three – he may be behaving as a collector, he may need a wife to legitimate himself and return to court. Who knows? It is a pity that he fades from the book so soon and Takeo's adventures take over.
The book ends with the expected cliffhanger. Can the united forces of Takeo and Kaede fight to regain their ancestral homes of Maruyama, Shirikawa and the Otori lands?
August 22, 2015
"Grass for His Pillow" is pleasant reading and a nice addition to the Tales of the Otori trilogy. I can hardly wait to read the third volume in the series. Recommended.
February 2, 2019
objetivamente este libro es mejor que el primero, una de las razones es porque no tiene tantas inconsistencias en la trama (principalmente porque no hay una trama definida, solo estamos siguiendo a los protagonistas mientras intentan sobrevivir después del desastre que dejó el primer libro) y porque Kaede y Takeo son un poco menos cursis, énfasis en un poco.
¿Ellos por separado? Perfecto, me caen muy bien, estoy interesada en ambas historias pero por dioooooooooooooooos cada vez que están juntos o siquiera piensan en el otro es desesperante y por el final de este libro….creo que las cosas se van a poner peor (por lo menos para mi)
¿Ellos por separado? Perfecto, me caen muy bien, estoy interesada en ambas historias pero por dioooooooooooooooos cada vez que están juntos o siquiera piensan en el otro es desesperante y por el final de este libro….creo que las cosas se van a poner peor (por lo menos para mi)
August 4, 2019
Really good book. Kaede really grew on me (not that I didn’t like her before) and now I think she is my favorite character. Towards the end of the book I kind of stopping liking Shizuka, and I’m afraid her character arc may not be what I want to see (not a bad thing, just disappointing). Takeo was cool and I liked the changes that happened to him in this book.
Overall really enjoying this series so far!
Overall really enjoying this series so far!
May 24, 2023
Takeo ir Kaedi..sulieti likimo, dangaus, gamtos pirmoje trilogijos dalyje "Giedančios grindys", šioje istorijoje bręsta ir auga kaip asmenybės, kenčia, kovoja, mokosi, bando išgyvent toli vienas nuo kito. Kur link nuvinguriuos gyvenimo ir likimo upė?..
April 29, 2011
I'm calling these books young adult as well as for adults, though I think the only reason I think of them as young adult is because the protagonists are in their late teens. These are definitely books I would have read and loved as a teenager; there's no explicit sex though lots of reference to it, and the violence is hardly as graphic as you see in movies.
Anyway, genre descriptions aside, this is a brilliant trilogy and I am literally only pausing long enough to write my review of book two before getting back in bed to start book three. I love both the heroes here; Takeo's journey to find out where his true obligations (and his heart) lie is inspiring and sympathetic all at once, and Kaede is turning into quite the feminist pioneer. I really appreciate how the author has not fallen into the trap that some fantasy writers do, by putting an entirely modern feminist mindset into the mind of someone brought up in the medieval world; Kaede struggles with being a "proper" woman by society's standards and worrying all the time what people will think, yet she goes on doing what she must in order to protect herself and her sisters, and it only makes me love her more. I am loving this series so much, I am on absolute tenterhooks to find out how it's going to resolve.
Anyway, genre descriptions aside, this is a brilliant trilogy and I am literally only pausing long enough to write my review of book two before getting back in bed to start book three. I love both the heroes here; Takeo's journey to find out where his true obligations (and his heart) lie is inspiring and sympathetic all at once, and Kaede is turning into quite the feminist pioneer. I really appreciate how the author has not fallen into the trap that some fantasy writers do, by putting an entirely modern feminist mindset into the mind of someone brought up in the medieval world; Kaede struggles with being a "proper" woman by society's standards and worrying all the time what people will think, yet she goes on doing what she must in order to protect herself and her sisters, and it only makes me love her more. I am loving this series so much, I am on absolute tenterhooks to find out how it's going to resolve.
December 1, 2019
I liked this book well enough, though it suffered a bit from middle-book syndrome. Both main characters seemed to be immobilised by their indecision and the cliché of “the Samurai killing themselves to sustain their honour” was way overdone. Yet again, like its predecessor, this was a beautiful and tragic story. Although now, at the end of it I feel drained. So much grief! Maybe it also my current mood, being ill while on holiday, almost breaking my kindle, winter coming… I’ll hold off on the last book for now. Currently the money to pay for these few, bittersweet pages does not seem worth it.
“The winter of preparation was over; spring was giving way to summer and summer was the season of war.”
Edit: forgot to add a few spoilery comments:
“The winter of preparation was over; spring was giving way to summer and summer was the season of war.”
Edit: forgot to add a few spoilery comments:
July 26, 2010
I read the first in this series and found it mildly entertaining, not a bad read, but not enthralling either. This one didn't do any more to draw me in, as a matter of fact, I find it less compelling and less interesting than the first. Didn't hold my interest. I will go at least one more book.
January 22, 2009
Lian Hearn's "Grass for his Pillow" is a must-continue for fans of "Across the Nightingale Floor", and resumes the story of Otori Takeo and Shirakawa Kaede, of the first book, but leaves much to be desired in terms of plot, action and everything else that made Hearn's first entry in this series so magical and endearing.
"Grass" picks up almost exactly where "Across" left off. Takeo is now with the Tribe and much of the book focuses on Kaede trying to claim her inheritance of domain, meanwhile fending off suitors who wish to marry her while she holds out hope for marrying Takeo. Everything that readers found in the first book is still here in the second book, but dull and toned down. At many times the book involves itself in unimportant matters and spends too much time in certain areas. Perhaps this was to build plot points or grant insight into the characters and the world they inhabit, but the pages spent seem to cross the line into dragging the book along at an almost unbearable pace.
Perhaps this was a stylistic choice of pacing and setting, as much of the book takes place over a period of harsh winter. By the time spring arrives, both the characters and readers are anxious for action, movement and the new possibilities that lie ahead now that the snows have melted.
If you enjoyed "Across the Nightingale Floor", by all means read "Grass for his Pillow" if only just to continue following the story that surrounds the characters, but don't expect the book to suck you in. You will only be left with a feeling of waiting for something more... the next book perhaps...
"Grass" picks up almost exactly where "Across" left off. Takeo is now with the Tribe and much of the book focuses on Kaede trying to claim her inheritance of domain, meanwhile fending off suitors who wish to marry her while she holds out hope for marrying Takeo. Everything that readers found in the first book is still here in the second book, but dull and toned down. At many times the book involves itself in unimportant matters and spends too much time in certain areas. Perhaps this was to build plot points or grant insight into the characters and the world they inhabit, but the pages spent seem to cross the line into dragging the book along at an almost unbearable pace.
Perhaps this was a stylistic choice of pacing and setting, as much of the book takes place over a period of harsh winter. By the time spring arrives, both the characters and readers are anxious for action, movement and the new possibilities that lie ahead now that the snows have melted.
If you enjoyed "Across the Nightingale Floor", by all means read "Grass for his Pillow" if only just to continue following the story that surrounds the characters, but don't expect the book to suck you in. You will only be left with a feeling of waiting for something more... the next book perhaps...
December 30, 2010
This is the second book in the Tales of the Otori series by Lian Hearn. This book picks up where the first left off. Takeo leaves Kaede for training under the mysterious Tribe; whose supernatural abilities Takeo has inherited from his father. As his training concludes, and he is asked to take out certain missions, he must ask himself if his loyalties will lie with the Tribe or with the Otori? Kaede meanwhile is left on her own to return home and see what state her family is in. Kaede struggles to consolidate her power and claim the inheritance she was left in a world that is run by men.
This was a fitting second book for this series. It moved along at the steady, descriptive pace of the second book. Although for some reason I found myself getting bored while reading this book. The lush descriptions, while detailed, didn't bring the book to life in the way I hoped they would. I had a little trouble understanding some of the stupid decisions made by Kaede and Takeo along the way. Despite these misgivings, if you liked the first book you must read the second book. It is very much in the same style of the first book and continues the story of Kaede and Takeo. This book definitely builds to a climax preparing you for the war and conflict of the third novel.
This was a fitting second book for this series. It moved along at the steady, descriptive pace of the second book. Although for some reason I found myself getting bored while reading this book. The lush descriptions, while detailed, didn't bring the book to life in the way I hoped they would. I had a little trouble understanding some of the stupid decisions made by Kaede and Takeo along the way. Despite these misgivings, if you liked the first book you must read the second book. It is very much in the same style of the first book and continues the story of Kaede and Takeo. This book definitely builds to a climax preparing you for the war and conflict of the third novel.
October 21, 2015
Lo más interesante que pasa en este libro es una pelea en una barca. Y dura dos párrafos.
Gran decepción. Me leí la primera parte hace años y me dejó buenas sensaciones pero ahora que retomo la saga me encuentro con que los personajes son planos y llenos de tópicos: El Elegido que según una profecía cambiará el mundo, el grupo secreto que trama venganza en las sombras, la damisela enferma que no puede estar con su amado... Lo único decente que veo es que el papel de las mujeres no lo relega a simple decorado si no que aspiran a ser igual o más poderosas que los hombres y eso es un punto a su favor.
Pero por lo demás este libro solamente sirve como puente para leer el tercer libro, pero si alguien te lo resume en un par de frases puedes pasar del primero al tercero sin problemas.
Gran decepción. Me leí la primera parte hace años y me dejó buenas sensaciones pero ahora que retomo la saga me encuentro con que los personajes son planos y llenos de tópicos: El Elegido que según una profecía cambiará el mundo, el grupo secreto que trama venganza en las sombras, la damisela enferma que no puede estar con su amado... Lo único decente que veo es que el papel de las mujeres no lo relega a simple decorado si no que aspiran a ser igual o más poderosas que los hombres y eso es un punto a su favor.
Pero por lo demás este libro solamente sirve como puente para leer el tercer libro, pero si alguien te lo resume en un par de frases puedes pasar del primero al tercero sin problemas.
July 21, 2015
Darker and more mature than the first part, but just as good.
November 1, 2019
not bad but it took me a long time to get through it. i just wanted super invested in the characters. that said, i found the storyline quite fun and intriguing once i got into it, so this book was reasonably good.
sorry guys, that's all i've got to say right now! sorry about all the trashy reviews recently x
sorry guys, that's all i've got to say right now! sorry about all the trashy reviews recently x
August 27, 2023
Takeo's journey is very fascinating, but again I can't say Kaede's story interests me much. But I have to praise the prose (hah!), it's gorgeously written, very delicate and not one superfluous word. I'm actually getting Le Guin vibes. I love how she uses zero exposition, everything is experienced and learned through conversation and action and I love that. I'm pretty much keeping up with the series because of the writing alone, and may check out her other works later.
July 16, 2018
I finished reading 'Grass for his Pillow', Lian Hearn's 'Tales of the Otori #2'. Kaede and Takeo are now secretly married (Yay!!!). But I fear the consequences....
June 30, 2017
2017 - I am still enjoying this series more than I did the first time I read it. I never got to the final book so I am re-reading everything to prepare myself. Maybe the second reading allows me to appreciate some of the more poetic qualities of the narrative, and not get caught up in whatever elements (predictability, characterization?) irritated me the first time. It is a well-constructed story, and well-told.
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2013 - I have to admit that the ending came as a shock, not because I was surprised by the concluding event, but because not enough had happened in the story to justify a conclusion. Nothing particularly climactic, since in my mind, the last event (no spoilers) was fairly predictable. It seemed like it was cut off just for the sake of getting another book out of it. Still, it is obviously setting the stage for something dramatic and I am invested enough to keep going.
The fact that the male protagonist is in first person and the female protagonist is in third person seems a little odd to me.
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2013 - I have to admit that the ending came as a shock, not because I was surprised by the concluding event, but because not enough had happened in the story to justify a conclusion. Nothing particularly climactic, since in my mind, the last event (no spoilers) was fairly predictable. It seemed like it was cut off just for the sake of getting another book out of it. Still, it is obviously setting the stage for something dramatic and I am invested enough to keep going.
The fact that the male protagonist is in first person and the female protagonist is in third person seems a little odd to me.
June 10, 2015
For a middle-book in a trilogy, this one was really fabulously done, with the exception that it should have been longer. I love where the story-line is going even though I'm not sure where it will end up, the characters (which I thought were fabulous for the most part in the first book) have really grown on me, and the relationships that have developed are full and interesting.
One thing I really like about this author so far is she isn't afraid to subject her characters to the greatest pain possible or even kill them when the story and its players deem death necessary. And she does it in a emotionally rending way. I could hardly tear myself away from the pages until I knew what happened.
Kaede has absolutely stolen my imagination. I am rooting so hard for her! Can't wait to see what happens next and her growth. I hope her power she has found doesn't diminish because of her rash choices at the end of this book. *crossing fingers*
One thing I really like about this author so far is she isn't afraid to subject her characters to the greatest pain possible or even kill them when the story and its players deem death necessary. And she does it in a emotionally rending way. I could hardly tear myself away from the pages until I knew what happened.
Kaede has absolutely stolen my imagination. I am rooting so hard for her! Can't wait to see what happens next and her growth. I hope her power she has found doesn't diminish because of her rash choices at the end of this book. *crossing fingers*
July 8, 2014
Filler. Good thing I didn't spent my money on it. Not much happened. I think I sorta slept trough it. There was lot of talk of past events. But really this book just bummed me out. There was no real spark in it.
April 3, 2019
This second volume in the Otori trilogy commences at the point where book 1 left off. Faced with an ultimatum from the Tribe, his biological father's people, to either join them and finish his training with them, renouncing his inheritance from his adoptive father Otori Shigeru, or else be killed, Takeo has to go with them. (Takeo's adoption into the Otori clan is later declared illegal by the self serving uncles who arranged for Shigeru's murder in any case). He then endures privations and punishments to make him comply, but it is clear that some of those among the Tribe resent his gifts and his possible supplanting of themselves in his Tribe family's hierarchy so are working their own agendas.
Left behind, Shirakawa Kaede has major problems of her own, finding her mother has died and her father has more or less suffered a breakdown after being unable to stop warriors travelling through his land enroute to the fighting which now has broken out between lord Arai and the former supporters of the dead warlord Iida Sadamu. Her father still has loyalties to the opponents of Lord Arai although Arai now expects Kaede to ally herself to him. The house and grounds are in poor order, as are the lands around, thanks to a combination of natural disasters and the ongoing fighting. A local lord then develops a fascination with Kaede: he is known to prefer men, but wants to 'collect' her and add her to his collection, something which would entail her having to marry him - which she is under pressure to do - and then being more or less sequestered for the rest of her life. Despite this she manages to convince her father to start teaching her - giving her a son's education as she only knows the script used by women - so that she can understand the estate accounts and know everything she needs in order to take over management of the estate which he has neglected for a long time. She also tries to protect her sisters.
The obstacles in the way of Kaede and Takeo ever marrying seem insurmountable, and political events are escalating. Only with allies can Kaede take the inheritance of the richer lands that her dead kinswoman intended she should have and can she and Takeo gain the resources they need as a power base.
In a lot of ways this is a typical middle book in a trilogy. It takes the characters forward in their personal timelines and development but not a great deal happens plotwise. Some of the things set up at the start of the book do not pan out as expected . There are ominious indications of future threats as well as the immediate ones. The fantasy version of medieval Japan is again beautifully evoked with the very different attitudes, compared to Western ones, to honour, suicide and religion.
For me, the ending was a bit rushed and didn't quite gell with what has been developed up to now - the two main characters act out of a more Western style viewpoint than the one their culture would dictate. So I can only give this a 4 star rating.
Left behind, Shirakawa Kaede has major problems of her own, finding her mother has died and her father has more or less suffered a breakdown after being unable to stop warriors travelling through his land enroute to the fighting which now has broken out between lord Arai and the former supporters of the dead warlord Iida Sadamu. Her father still has loyalties to the opponents of Lord Arai although Arai now expects Kaede to ally herself to him. The house and grounds are in poor order, as are the lands around, thanks to a combination of natural disasters and the ongoing fighting. A local lord then develops a fascination with Kaede: he is known to prefer men, but wants to 'collect' her and add her to his collection, something which would entail her having to marry him - which she is under pressure to do - and then being more or less sequestered for the rest of her life. Despite this she manages to convince her father to start teaching her - giving her a son's education as she only knows the script used by women - so that she can understand the estate accounts and know everything she needs in order to take over management of the estate which he has neglected for a long time. She also tries to protect her sisters.
The obstacles in the way of Kaede and Takeo ever marrying seem insurmountable, and political events are escalating. Only with allies can Kaede take the inheritance of the richer lands that her dead kinswoman intended she should have and can she and Takeo gain the resources they need as a power base.
In a lot of ways this is a typical middle book in a trilogy. It takes the characters forward in their personal timelines and development but not a great deal happens plotwise. Some of the things set up at the start of the book do not pan out as expected . There are ominious indications of future threats as well as the immediate ones. The fantasy version of medieval Japan is again beautifully evoked with the very different attitudes, compared to Western ones, to honour, suicide and religion.
For me, the ending was a bit rushed and didn't quite gell with what has been developed up to now - the two main characters act out of a more Western style viewpoint than the one their culture would dictate. So I can only give this a 4 star rating.
February 19, 2020
From April 2011 — (3.5 stars) At the end of Across the Nightingale Floor, Takeo was kidnapped by members of the Tribe, a clan of murderers who are intent on making him one of theirs. Having inherited an uncommon number of exceptional gifts from his father, he is of great value to them. Here we find Takeo at first fighting them off and attempting to flee, without success. They eventually wear him down and he gives his word that he will stay with the Tribe, even as his heart yearns for Kaede. But Takeo is soon wrapped up in the harsh and difficult training that is required of him and even takes on a lover. Meanwhile, Kaede makes her way back to her family's estate to find that it has fallen in a state of disrepair and poverty. Her father, who has fallen prey to mental illness since Kaede's mother's death, is unable to fulfill his duties and after many attempts and cajoling, she eventually convinces him to teach her skills which are only known to men so that she can take over the running of the estate and secure an army to realize great plans ahead.
Takeo and Kaede's individual struggles were interesting to observe, as is the evolution of both characters from inexperienced youths to committed and driven adults. But I can't say I quite as taken with this book as I was with the first one. That being said, the groundwork is set up for what promises to be a thrilling ride in the third book.
Takeo and Kaede's individual struggles were interesting to observe, as is the evolution of both characters from inexperienced youths to committed and driven adults. But I can't say I quite as taken with this book as I was with the first one. That being said, the groundwork is set up for what promises to be a thrilling ride in the third book.
February 4, 2025
A beautiful book and much better than the first! Although I enjoyed the first, in this book Kaede truly comes alive and I love watching her grow into a ruler. The author does an excellent job of showing both her and Takeo's journeys throughout the novel, ending with a cliffhanger that makes me so excited for the next one!
I really enjoyed the fact that they were separated for most of the novel, I think it gave their characters' time to shine. Also, I adore Shizuka! She's such a fantastic secondary character.
The plot is also faster paced in this book although the storytelling is just as brilliant as the first. The monastery at Terayama in particular comes alive within the pages and makes me think of my trip to Japan!
I really enjoyed the fact that they were separated for most of the novel, I think it gave their characters' time to shine. Also, I adore Shizuka! She's such a fantastic secondary character.
The plot is also faster paced in this book although the storytelling is just as brilliant as the first. The monastery at Terayama in particular comes alive within the pages and makes me think of my trip to Japan!
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