Gillian Rubinstein

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Gillian Rubinstein
BornGillian Margaret Hanson
(1942-08-29) 29 August 1942 (age 79)
United Kingdom
Pen nameLian Hearn
G. M. Hanson
Occupationwriter
Notable awards Children's Peace Literature Award, 1987; Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis, 2004
SpousePhillip
ChildrenMatt (born 1974), Tessa (born 1977) and Susannah (born 1979)
Website
www.gillianrubinstein.com

Gillian Rubinstein (born 29 August 1942) is an English-born children's author and playwright. Born in Potten End, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, [1] [2] England, Rubinstein split her childhood between England and Nigeria, moving to Australia in 1973. [3] As well as eight plays, numerous short stories and articles, she has written over 30 books. Her award-winning and hugely popular 1986 debut Space Demons introduced the themes of growing up and fantasy worlds which emerge often in her other writings. Books such as At Ardilla, Foxspell and Galax-Arena all received critical acclaim and multiple awards.

Contents

In 2001, Rubinstein published Across the Nightingale Floor , the first of the best-selling three-book series Tales of the Otori series under the pseudonym Lian Hearn. The series is set in a fictional island nation resembling feudal Japan and is her first work to reach an adult audience.

The name 'Lian', comes from a childhood nickname and 'Hearn' apparently refers to herons which are a prominent theme in the series. It has also been suggested that the surname is most likely borrowed from Lafcadio Hearn; one of the first Western writers to tackle Japanese mythology.

Gillian Rubinstein currently resides in Goolwa, South Australia.

Works

Writing as Gillian Rubinstein

Writing as Lian Hearn

Tales of the Otori

  1. Across the Nightingale Floor (2002)
  2. Grass for His Pillow (2003)
  3. Brilliance of the Moon (2004)
  4. The Harsh Cry of the Heron (2006)
  5. Heaven's Net is Wide (2007)
  • "His Kikuta Hands" (2016), short story expanding on a scene in Brilliance of the Moon

Children of the Otori

  1. Orphan Warriors (2020)
  2. Sibling Assassins (2020)
  • "Wine, Knife, Sword - A Tale from the Eight Islands" (2018, free ebook), short story, background to Orphan Warriors

The Tale of Shikanoko

  1. Emperor of the Eight Islands (April 2016)
  2. Autumn Princess, Dragon Child (June 2016)
  3. Lord of the Darkwood (August 2016)
  4. The Tengu's Game of Go (September 2016)

The Tale of Shikanoko series is set in the Otori universe, several centuries prior to the Tales of the Otori.

Standalone novels

  • The Storyteller and His Three Daughters (2013)
  • Blossoms and Shadows (2014)

Writing as G.M. Hanson

Compilation edited by Gillian Rubinstein

Contributions

Awards

Related Research Articles

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Tales of the Otori is a series of historical fantasy novels by Gillian Rubinstein, writing under the pen name Lian Hearn, set in a fictional world based on feudal Japan. The series initially consisted of a trilogy: Across the Nightingale Floor (2002), Grass for His Pillow (2003), and Brilliance of the Moon (2004). It was followed in 2006 by a sequel, The Harsh Cry of the Heron, and in 2007 by a prequel, Heaven's Net is Wide. In 2020, two new books were published in a sequel series called "Children of the Otori", Orphan Warriors and Sibling Assassins.

<i>Grass for His Pillow</i>

Grass for His Pillow is the second novel in Lian Hearn's Tales of the Otori trilogy, published in 2003. The events in the novel cover a period of approximately 6 months, following directly after those in Across the Nightingale Floor.

<i>Brilliance of the Moon</i> Book by Gillian Rubinstein

Brilliance of the Moon is the third novel in Lian Hearn's Tales of the Otori trilogy, published in 2004. It describes the events during the months following Takeo and Kaede's marriage at the end of the second book, Grass for His Pillow, leading to Takeo's confrontation with the warlord Arai Daiichi. A period of about eight months is covered, from Spring to the onset of Winter.

<i>The Harsh Cry of the Heron</i> 2006 novel by Lian Hearn

The Harsh Cry of the Heron is the sequel to Lian Hearn's popular Tales of the Otori trilogy, first published on March 7, 2006. The novel is set sixteen years after the events of the Trilogy, and covers a period of about two years. It chronicles the events that ultimately lead to Takeo's downfall, in accordance with the prophecy spoken of him years before.

<i>Heavens Net is Wide</i> Book by Gillian Rubinstein

Heaven’s Net is Wide is a prequel to Lian Hearn's popular Tales of the Otori series. It recounts the life of Lord Shigeru from the age of 12. It begins with the murder of Kikuta Isamu, Takeo's father, and includes Shigeru's training with Matsuda Shingen, the battle of Yaegahara, the role of Muto Shizuka, the meeting with Lady Maruyama, and other events foreshadowing Across the Nightingale Floor. It concludes with Shigeru and Takeo's meeting which begins the series.

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<i>Space Demons</i> 1985 novel by Gillian Rubinstein

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References

  1. "Potten End (A Guide to Old Hertfordshire)". hertfordshire-genealogy.
  2. "Rubenstein, Gillian". Austlit. Retrieved 24 March 2008.
  3. "Gillian Rubinstein: About Me - Personal Biography". Gillian Rubinstein. Retrieved 15 July 2007.
  4. "Mystery Short Fiction: 1990-2006". William G. Contento. Archived from the original on 16 June 2011. Retrieved 24 March 2008.
  5. "Children's Peace Literature Award". AustLit. Retrieved 12 November 2019.