City of Silk
City of Silk is a novel about ambition, friendship and revenge. It follows the struggles of a young seamstress, Elena Morandi, in her aim to become a tailor in 16th-century Bologna (an occupation barred to women).
Elena, who suffered growing up in the Barracano orphanage, is horrified when she discovers her mistress has arranged a marriage for her after three years of service, part of the contract of taking her on after she left the Barracano. So Elena runs away, determined to become a tailor creating men’s clothing, rather than a seamstress restricted to sewing women’s clothing. In doing so, she learns about friendship and realises just how dominant Antonio della Fontana is in Bologna (the man who abused his position as a benefactor of the Barracano).
City of Silk immerses the reader in the experience of life in 16th-century Bologna, with acutely observed historical details, especially regarding tailors’ workshops, which ground the story in a strong sense of place and time. Imagery relating to fabric and sewing are woven subtly into this beautifully written novel.
Elena is an engaging narrator, who is very human; she makes mistakes, has a temper and can be impulsive at times. The secondary characters are equally well drawn. The plot gradually builds in momentum throughout the novel to reach a satisfying conclusion. A very enjoyable read; I look forward to reading more from this author.
