Heaven's Net Is Wide: The First Tale of the Otori

by Lian Hearn

Book Overview

The new beginning and the grand finale of Lian Hearn's celebrated Tales of the Otori is "rivetingly elegant" (Washington Post). Don't miss the related series, The Tale of Shikanoko. Heaven's Net Is... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 159448953X
• ISBN13: 9781594489532
• Release Date: August 2007
• Publisher: Riverhead Books
• Length: 484 Pages
• Weight: 1.66 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 6.4" x 9.4"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Great Prequel!

I absolutely love the whole Otori series. This prequel is no exception. I always wanted to know the character Shigeru better, and I wasn't disappointed. I couldn't put it down, and when I finished it I really wanted to read them all over again. Lian Hearn knows how to tell a story!

Heaven's Net is Wide

What a great book. I originally "read/listened to" the trilogy. Then this book came out. After listening to this book, I wanted to go back and listen to the trilogy again, so that the sequence of what happened was now chronological. I loved all 4 books. Although some of the Ninja-like qualities are hard to believe and is quite fantasy-ish, the rest of the book shows the historical cultures of Japan very well, and extremely entertaining.

A very satisfying "prequel" to the Otori series

Heaven's Net is Wide is (chronologically) part one of the wonderful "Tales of the Otori" series, although the fifth published. The benefit of being able to go back and tell the early story later, so to speak, was already proven by the Star Wars series, and Liam Hearn makes good use of the concept. If, like me, you read this book last, it will evoke much of the later story and fit into all the parts. But for those who choose to read this book first, it will be an even greater experience to take it all in order. If you are at all capable of being charmed by the complexity and pageantry of feudal Japan, this series is a "must read"!

Heaven's Net Is Indeed Wide

Lian Hearn is an amazingly descriptive writer. She practically paints the scenery with her words. Chapter after chapter of dense writing... her stories take place practically inside the character's minds. What they see, feel, think... it's absolutely wonderful. This last installment of The Otori Series is just as wonderful as the other four books. You become as attached to the characters as a reader can be, and I suggest you buy it! It's an honest to God, not cheesy in the least, Samurai Vrs. Ninja story! I have deeply enjoyed this series and I intend to make everyone I know give the book a try!

superb historical fantasy

Otori Shigeru is the young heir to the powerful ruthless Otori clan. Yet in spite of growing up in an authoritarian pyramidal hierarchy, he understands that greater Japanese society and especially his clan venerate loyalty. However, his lessons were also tempered as an adolescent when he observed how dishonorable some behaved; seditious backstabbing by his uncles and an assault from the Iida family to gain power. The culmination occurs when his uncles' perfidy and the Iida betrayal lead to the deaths of thousands of Otori warriors at Yaeahara and the eradication of his family. He lives, but is heir to nothing as the Otori clan was exterminated. Although those who murdered his family want him dead so he symbolizes nothing, Shigeru survives with an inner fortitude made stronger with what he saw enhanced by a desire for retribution. He turns to his former mentor warrior-monk Matsuda Shingen for guidance and patience, and meets Lady Maruyama who keeps him human and more as she knows what he is going through as the Tohan destroyed much of what she held sacred. However, the hope for retribution might begin in a mountainous village ... The fifth Tales of the Otori is a brilliant novel that brings the beginning and the end to this great saga of Medieval Japan. The story line is a superb historical fantasy as the audience learns much of how Otori got to where he ends. Fans of the series will fully appreciate this great finish that is also the beginning as HEAVEN'S NET IS WIDE completes this non-linear epic saga with a sweeping winner. Harriet Klausner