The Pillow Book: Series 1-11
A Full-Cast Historical Crime Drama
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The Pillow Book: Series 1-11
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Narrated by:
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Benedict Cumberbatch
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Cal MacAninch
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full cast
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Mark Bazeley
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Ruth Gemmell
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By:
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Robert Forrest
About this listen
A thriller and love story set in 10th-century Japan.
Lady Shonagon is an imperial courtesan, living at the court of the Japanese Emperor in the 10th century. When a series of disturbing thefts within the palace walls throws the court into confusion and unrest, Shonagon is appointed guide and assistant to Lieutenant Yukinari as he investigates.
Together, Shonagon and Yukinari must solve the mysteries and escalating crimes that plague the Japanese court, and their romance blossoms in the tightly enclosed world behind the high palace walls. But soon Shonagon's lover Tadanobu becomes uncomfortable with how closely they are working together....
The Pillow Book is inspired by the writings of Sei Shonagon, a poet and lady-in-waiting to the empress of the 10th-century Japanese court. The work of the real-life Sei Shonagon consists of essays, lists, anecdotes, poems, and descriptive passages about her daily life.
This full-cast drama stars Ruth Gemmell as Sei Shonagon, with Yukinari played by Mark Bazeley in series 1-3 and Cal Macaninch in series 4-11. Benedict Cumberbatch plays Tadanobu in series 1.
Directed by Lu Kemp.
©2018 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2018 BBC Studios Distribution LtdListeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about The Pillow Book: Series 1-11
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- IvoryMarri
- 07-01-19
Absolutely enthralling and so beautiful.
The cast are exceptional and the story is a magical mirror viewing into imperial Japan. I wish there was a sequel!
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6 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Adrienne P. Ryan
- 12-04-22
Engaging story and acting
The hours flew by listening to this. Really enjoyed the whole story. Unusual and lived the insight into Palace life. Was a tad disappointed with the end as it felt a bit rushed.
Acting was good and the emotions of the various relationships came across well.
I’m just thankful I wasn’t around during those times.
I’d recommend if you like romance mingled with a bit of Japanese history
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Leips
- 01-08-19
delightful
beautiful acting, the spoken words perfect. sad the cast changed but shonagon is just superb
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- McDoyler
- 16-07-24
A Great Listen
I really enjoyed this lots, of great characters and stories that developed. Really well performed and really enjoyable.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Kizzy Beagledore
- 23-08-21
Starts well but loses engagement
The production of this play is brilliant - the music, the performances and the way it is written and presented lends itself to a wonderful audio experience. The only minor blip was the change in actor playing the policeman midstream - it's a jarring note .
My issue with this piece is that it starts to feel monotonous and after being gripped by the first few chapters the production values arent backed by enough substance.
I appreciate that this book was never intended to be consumed in this way ,but it was a real struggle to get through to the finish and I ended up starting a new audio book and just dipping back into this one a chapter at a time for its soothing and rather soporific nature.
If you have an interest in Japan and the Imperial court in the Heian period and are looking for a gentle listen that doesn't really challenge then The Pillow Book is for you -personally I'd have preferred a more ruthless editing of Shonagon's ramblings . Less is often more and certainly so in the case of the lady and her lists!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 21-03-24
I loved this audiobook an embodiment of old Japan
The characterisation was perfect, voices exactly right for each one and beautiful to listen to. The plots and underlying themes were fascinating. The crafted embodiment of the Japanese court ran through the book and there was a completely believable love story.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Jeffrey Slater
- 20-08-18
starts well enough...
but becomes increasingly tedious fading to nothing. listen to the first half and then stop
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sandy
- 09-10-21
One of my all time favourites
A fascinating glimpse into the life of ancient Japan, brought to vibrant life through the eyes of the Lady Shonagon, court lady and poet.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- GregorysMode
- 31-07-19
quaint at first but her lists become indulgent
good good overall but her lists become extremely self-indulgent and the story very good at the beginning and ok in the middle becomes very unrealistic and slightly strange at the end the acting is very good good though the characters change two different actors Midway through the drama which is a shame because I connected really well with the first detective overall for me me 6 and a half out of 10
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sue ONeil
- 30-12-19
Takes you into their world
Superb performances, transports you into the world of the palace life of Japan in the past. The rigid rules of behaviour and relationships define every aspect of the characters lives and the separation of the life of the palace and the rest of the world is truly stunning. Great story lines, well acted and satisfactorily realised made these a very enjoyable listen.
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1 person found this helpful