More Tales of the Otori

[bibliogramma]

Another fantastic series that has profoundly impressed me with the beauty of its writing, the depth of characterisation, the wealth of its worldbuilding, the heart of its story, is Lian Hearn's Tales of the Otori. I've now read all the books in the main series, and am waiting for the prequel, Heaven's Net Is Wide to come out in paperback.

Across the Nightingale Floor: Journey to Inuyama
Grass for His Pillow
Brilliance of the Moon
The Harsh Cry of the Heron

This is the story of Takeo and Kaede, their love for each other, their struggle to survive those who seek to own and control them, and their quest to fulfil the desire of Takeo's adoptive father Otori Shigeru and Kaede's aunt Maruyama Naomi to bring peace and prosperity to the warn-torn Three Counties. There are, to my mind, echoes of the Arthurian mythos in the way that choices made in their youth will eventually bring about the downfall of Takeo and Kaede, but that's often a part of the heroic bargain - the sacrifice can only bring about a temporary victory, the fight for what should be must be passed to other hands to begin anew.