The Harsh Cry of the Heron
The epic conclusion to the bestselling Tales of the Otori – "one of the most thrilling new series of our time."
The Harsh Cry of the Heron is the rich and stirring finale to a series whose imaginative vision
has enthralled millions of readers worldwide, and an extraordinary
novel that stands as a thrilling achievement in its own right.
A dazzling epic of warfare and sacrifice, passionate revenge, treacherous betrayal, and unconquerable love, The Harsh Cry of the Heron takes the storytelling achievement of Hearn's fantastic medieval
Japanese world to startling new heights of drama and action. Fifteen
years of peace and prosperity under the rule of Lord Otori Takeo and
his wife Kaede is threatened by a rogue network of assassins, the
resurgence of old rivalries, the arrival of foreigners bearing new
weapons and religion, and an unfulfilled prophecy that Lord Takeo will
die at the hand of a member of his own family.
The Harsh Cry of the Heron is the ultimate conclusion to the Tales of the Otori series that both
completes the characters' lives and brilliantly illuminates unexpected
aspects of the entire Otori saga.
Lian Hearn
Lian Hearn's real name is Gillian Rubinstein (born 1942 in England). Rubinstein 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 Tales of the Otori series.
Tales of the Otori
Tales of the Otori consists of four primary books, and includes one additional book that complement the series but is not considered mandatory reads. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
