In 1861, Herve Joncour has to leave his doting wife and his comfortable home in the small French town of Lavilledieu and travel across Siberia as far as Japan, in order to obtain uncontaminated silkworm eggs for breeding. There he meets a local baron's concubine and falls in love.

A beautifully written, almost poetic & fable-like novella. about different sorts of love....the romance between Hervé & Hara Kei's mistress & the love of Helene for her aforementioned husband.

Much was implied rather than said & as I'm not good at reading between the lines (I like things spelt out in black & white! ), I feel, particularly after reading other reviews, that I've missed whatever has so charmed other readers. Liked it but didn't love it.

Added to kinedi's Foreign Authors Bookbox

Arrived back with me in the Foreign Author Book box. Thanks.

Charming little ''in between book's '' novel. Thought it was beautifully written and quite poetic.

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Congratulations on finding a Bookcrossing book and Happy Reading!!!

Caught at the Old Gang meet up. Thank you!

There were some things about this book I really liked, such as the elements of repetition when Joncour's journey was being described. It made me think of a fairytale. Like Plum-crazy, I think some bits were obviously too subtle for me! I plan to set this one travelling again soon.

Set free on the Bookcrossing shelf on the right hand side in the cafe. Happy reading!