Grass for His Pillow, Episode 2: The Way Through the Snow

Tales of the Otori #2 part 2

by Lian Hearn

Both Takeo and Kaede have visions of their future. Takeo works to escape the Tribe and fulfill the last wishes of his adoptive father, Lord Shigeru Otori. And Kaede, heir to two seats of power, moves forward step by step, aided by her own wits and a precarious alliance with Lord Fujiwara. In their separate worlds, the two long for each other, knowing that they are meant to be together, wondering if they will ever see each other again. . . .

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Historical, Young Adult, Adult

252 pages, Mass Market Paperback

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 3 out of 5]

This book is the end of Grass for His Pillow, the second book in the Tales of the Otori, and it has the same structure as most second-books-in-a-trilogy: It ends without much resolved. Hearn brings a couple of subplots to a close here, but for the overarching, political plot that covers this entire series, the book raises the stakes and takes us to the heart of the conflict, and then steps away and lets us wait for the next book.

Luckily, I have the next book(s) in hand to keep the story going, but this kind of structure annoys me. Unfortunately, this is how trilogies work now. I've noticed it ever since The Matrix Reloaded, but I expect it's been going on since before then. There are exceptions (The Obelisk Gate didn't leave me hanging as much as I would have expected, and The Empire Strikes Back is a perfect second-movie-in-a-trilogy in that it does all it should for the larger story while maintaining a structure all its own), but lately it seems like those second books have to end in such a way as to guarantee readers will return for the third. I'd boycott them all together if I didn't get invested in them for two books.

Hearn tells the story in her unobtrusive style, which is wonderful. Stuff happens, but it always feels like you're along for a gentle ride, even as it does. Takeo and Kaede continue to serve as the central characters, and their relationship defines the story. The third book, I expect, will bring the overarching plot to a close, as all the preparation and setup of the first two books will collect there, but all of it derives from their relationship.

Hearn continues to tell a good story, though it suffers from being book two in a trilogy. Readers who have come this far with the story will want to keep reading, and those who might be interested in the premise should start at the beginning. It takes a little while to get into it, but once you are, it's hard to quit it.

[Ian Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think what I liked the most about this part of the series is actually described in the title. Takeo's escape and then his wandering through the snow covered lands of the country was a really good palce to learn more about description in writing. It placed me in a particular situation, where one must survive in the snow freezing, that I probably and hopefully won't find myself in so it was really cool to read and imagine.

Another thing I liked about it was the building of the central plot of the story. The destiny's of the two main characters gave the plot that extra power to compell and excite me for the grand finale at the end.

[Monty · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Second part of the Tales of the Otori. Wonderful details of Medieval Japan: its arts, aesthetics and society. Takeo and Kaede are separated by fate, but their deep and abiding love make a reunion inevitable, despite the odds. Though dead, Lord Shigeru's presence is still felt strongly throughout the book. Alliances and wars rumble in the background of this engaging story, and the culmination will be met in the final volume.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another part of the now epic tale that I am sucked into. Here Takeo and Kaede finally come back together after escaping from the various imprisoning circumstances that habit their lives. The next book will definitely have plenty of showdowns. It should be fun. Probably the best outing of the series, so far.

[Charissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story and pretty good writing. I randomly picked this up in a thrift store, that's why it's part two of a series. I rather enjoyed it, but I don't think I'll make an effort to find the other parts.

[abdul malik · Rating 3 out of 5]

otori udah punya anak dan kwluarga dagh... tapi masih ada konflik tapi bukan dari sebangsa tapi udah konflk antar bangsa

[Imas sakuntala · Rating 3 out of 5]

oh boy, i forgot what this book is...
ok, i'll read it again if i had enough time and emotion :D

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant!

[Viktoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it.