Grass for His Pillow is the second novel in Lian Hearn's astonishingly beautiful series inspired by feudal Japan, Tales of the Otori.

In the ancient Oriental lands of the Otori, amidst a time of violent war, famine and treacherous alliances, the fate of the young lovers Otori Takeo and Shirakawa Kaede hangs in the balance . . .

Takeo, heir to the great Otori clan, has pledged his life to the secret Tribe. His supernatural skills of virtual invisibility and acute hearing make him their most deadly assassin. But he must deny the solemn oath of vengeance he made, his adopted birthright of wealth, land and power - and his love for Kaede. If he does not devote himself entirely to the brutal ways of the Tribe, they will kill him. Whichever path he chooses, it will lead to hardship and sacrifice in the bitter winter of the high mountains, and test him to the limits of his being.

Kaede, heiress to vast lands, is now the valuable pawn of ruthless warlords. She must use her intelligence, beauty and cunning to assert her place in a world of all-powerful men - who must never suspect the dangerous secret she hides.

The second volume in the Tales of the Otori trilogy - a journey of revenge and treachery, honour and loyalty, beauty and passion, which does for medieval Japan what Game of Thrones does for medieval Europe.

About the Author

Lian Hearn studied modern languages at Oxford University and worked as a film critic and arts editor in London before settling in Australia. A lifelong interest in Japan led to the study of the Japanese language, many trips to Japan, and culminated in the writing of the Tales of the Otori series.

Hearn is also the author of a two-volume prequel series to the Tales of the Otori, The Tale of Shikanoko, consisting of Emperor of the Eight Islands and Lord of the Darkwood.

Reviews
A thrilling tale of love, violence, loyalty and betrayal. * Guardian *
The plot is gripping and the writing is beautiful, packed with authentic, atmospheric detail. * Daily Mail *
The writing is extraordinary . . . Virtually pitch perfect. * Evening Standard *
An enthralling and original work of fantasy. * The Times *
The beauty, savagery and strangeness of Hearn's gripping tale is heightened by her exquisite, crystalline prose. The second instalment in the Tales of the Otori is, astonishingly, even better than Across the Nightingale Floor. * Independent on Sunday *



Book Information
ISBN 9781509837816
Author Lian Hearn
Format Paperback
Page Count 320
Imprint Picador
Publisher Pan Macmillan
Weight(grams) 224g
Dimensions(mm) 196mm * 132mm * 21mm