Over the course of several years Hervé continues to make return trips to Japan in order to buy more silkworms and to lay his eyes on the beautiful and intriguing woman to whom he has become enthralled. Compelled to travel illegally to Japan alone in search of disease-free silkworms, Hervé comes across a “girl who does not have oriental eyes” and, despite not exchanging one word with her, falls deeply in love. It is 1861 and Hervé Joncour is a silk breeder from France who is happily married to the beautiful Helene. Translated from the Italian by Guido Waldman.Īlessandro Baricco’s Silk is a powerful and erotic tale that reveals how one’s man desire threatens to ruin his life. Fiction – paperback Vintage 104 pages 1997.
