Silk
Silk
Fiction | Novella | Adult | Published in 1996
Book Brief
132
Novella • Fiction
France And Japan • 1860s
1996
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Set in the 19th century, Alessandro Baricco's novella Silk follows French merchant Hervé Joncour, who travels to Japan to procure silkworm eggs for his impoverished town. During his journey, Hervé falls in love with a mysterious woman, the concubine of a Japanese nobleman, which complicates his marriage to his wife, Hélène, back in France.
Mysterious
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Melancholic
Romantic
Reviews & Readership
63,615 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Silk by Alessandro Baricco receives praise for its lyrical prose and evocative imagery, effectively transporting readers to 19th-century Japan. The narrative's brevity and simplicity are seen as both strengths and weaknesses; while some appreciate its minimalist style, others find it underdeveloped. Overall, Silk is lauded for its poetic storytelling but may leave some craving more depth.
Who Should Read Silk?
A reader who appreciates Silk by Alessandro Baricco enjoys poetic, concise storytelling set in historical contexts. Fans of emotion-rich, character-driven novels like Snow Country by Yasunari Kawabata or Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden would find similar allure in this elegant, minimalist narrative.
63,615 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
132
Novella • Fiction
France And Japan • 1860s
1996
Adult
18+ years
We’re just getting started
Add this title to our list of requested Study Guides!