1999 Nominated
Silk
ABOUT
THE BOOK
When an epidemic in the 1860s threatens to destroy the French silk trade, merchant Hervé Joncour travels to Japan to obtain eggs for a new breeding of silk worms. Japan is closed to foreigners and his journey must be clandestine. During his negotiations with the local baron, Joncour falls in love with the baron’s concubine. Although the girl and the young Frenchman are unable of exchanging even a word, love blossoms between them, communicated through a number of recondite messages in the course of the four visits paid by Joncour to Japan. Silk narrates how their secret relationship unfolds. Alessandro Barrico was born in Turin and Silk, his third novel, has been translated into 16 languages.
ABOUT
THE TRANSLATOR Guido
Waldman
Guido Waldman, educated in Italy, France and Britain, is a translator by vocation and a publisher's editor by profession. He is currently Editorial Director of The Harvill Press, and was previously editor and rights manager with The Bodley Head.
Guido Waldman, educated in Italy, France and Britain, is a translator by vocation and a publisher's editor by profession. He is currently Editorial Director of The Harvill Press, and was previously editor and rights manager with The Bodley Head.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Country
United Kingdom
Publisher
Harvill Press
Translator
Guido Waldman