Across+the+nightingale+floor

It is no longer a secret that Lian Hearn is Gillian Rubinstein. Her use of a pseudonym raises interesting questions about the perceived role of children's writers, what they write about and the people they write for.

//Across the Nightingale Floor//, the first in a trilogy, is a wonderful book equally appealing to adolescents as to adults. It is set in what seems to be medieval Japan but is actually a very similar fantasy world.

The central focus is on Tomasu, a gentle boy brought up by his mother in a remote mountain village as one of the Hidden, a forbidden cult that espouses love and forgiveness and forbids killing. In the thrilling first chapter Tomasu makes an enemy of Iida Sadamu, the most powerful lord in the country, finds a friend and mentor in Otori Shigeru, has his name changed to Takeo and joins his destiny to that of the Otori. These three men and a girl, Kaede Shirakawa, are the main characters in this first instalment.

Takeo's journey as he moves through the landscape of five warring clans is physical and spiritual as and discovers his powers, duties and wishes. The themes are universal ones of love and loyalty, friendship and betrayal. The story is quite violent with a lot of deaths but this is balanced by an awareness of nature and beauty and time. In the first chapter all the people in Tomasu's village are killed, the chapter introducing Kaede features a sexual assault and a fatal stabbing. All of which is made acceptable for adolescents since it is essential to the story and sensitively portrayed.

The story is easy to read with the reader rapidly immersed in the created world. The language is deceptively simple and poetic, and it is this conscious and considered but at the same time inspired writing that gives the novel its impact, its power and its uniqueness.

//Across the Nightingale Floor// has a wide appeal and should develop a wide readership.

Mia Macrossan, Yeronga State HS (QLD) //CMIS//


 * Benjamin Giosis || 07N || Across the nightingale floor || JLE* || Fantasy ||
 * Duncan Whitlock || 07N || Across the nightingale floor || JLE* || Fantasy ||
 * John Dislakis || 08A || Across the nightingale floor || JLE* || Fantasy ||
 * Justin Zouriakas || 08A || Across the nightingale floor || JLE* || Fantasy ||
 * Katherine Papoulis || 07N || Across the nightingale floor || JLE* || Fantasy ||
 * Nikita Rerakis || 07N || Across the nightingale floor || JLE* || Fantasy ||
 * Thomas Hibberd || 07D || Across the nightingale floor || JLE* || Fantasy ||
 * Yianna Zisiadis || 07N || Across the nightingale floor || JLE* || Fantasy ||