Silk in Around the World in 80 Books

Oct 27, 2012 Sunflower rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction-read-2012

I found this in a second hand bookshop (eat your heart out, Zespri) and it just had to come home with me. There isn't a spare word in this tale, and it isn't always what is said but what it evokes, that makes it special. The mysterious woman, the Japanese nobleman, even the messenger boy all form part of the Japanese part of the story, but it is what happens at home that causes the ripples on Herve's emotional pond. And it isn't till the last few pages that his wife becomes a major part of the s ...more

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Aug 18, 2022 Erica rated it really liked it

Finally read this classic--a lovely little read.

p87: "Inasmuch as despair was an excess that had no part in him, he concentrated on what was left of his life and began once more to give it his attention, with the unshakeable tenacity of a gardener back at work the morning after the storm." ...more

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Jun 10, 2013 Tanya rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2013, list-1001-btrbyd

I was not sure I liked the writing style at first, but as the affair unfolded, it seemed to echo the little dialog and the big longing for more of the clandestine relationship between the protagonist and the girl with the not Asian eyes. And surprisingly, though I usually won't recommend stories of infidelity to my friends. I think this one is worth the read. I selected this book because it was on the 1,001 books to read before you die list.

Quote I liked:

"Perhaps sometimes life shows you a side ...more

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