This is a continuation of the stories of the Silk Road. Mr. Smith has become the house guest of a wealthy merchant and his wife Anis. According to custom, Anis is not allowed to be seen by the male visitors. She begins to visit the women's bathhouse and discovers a place where she can be herself. She makes friends with another woman there and they become "avowed sisters", a binding relationship which is formalized by ceremony. When Sherine's husband dies suddenly she is left destitute and Anis finds an unexpected way to help her. Once again, Mori has crafted a well told story. However, the lush illustrations of textiles is noticeably missing in this volume. The author/illustrator explains this in a note that because much of the story takes place in the baths where the women are unclothed, the textiles are absent. But she reassures readers that they will return in the next installment.
No comments:
Post a Comment