Rating: 
Summary: It's not what you're expecting....it's better.
Review: BLACK SILK is written in the style of those turn of the century and 1920's novels like the Forsythe Saga by John Galsworthy. It's not at all the expected or what is current. And it's quite good for what it is; but don't expect what Ivory usually provides. This was an earlier book and one where she was obviously experimenting with style. It is not like her beauty and the beasts books. I actually like this book better because the style is more intricate and the character development much deeper. The ending, however, is obviously tacked on to please what the publisher imagines to be the demands of the readers. [Hence my four stars.] I'm sorry that she didn't develop this style further. The woman has real talent.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Your Usual Fluffy Romance
Review: For those who are expecting a hot romance, be aware that this is not precisely what you will get even if the sensuality is hot - and it is - just not between our two lead characters until almost the very end. But it does sizzle with passion and a lot of thought provocation as the author dissects the workings of their minds. Yes, it is good, but not a light bit of fluff.At the center you have Graham Wessit, the notorious Earl of Netham, whose entire life so far has been marred by rumor and scandal. Pair this up with lovely Submit Channing-Downes who was the proper, obedient wife of an Graham's former guardian and better than 40 years her senior (the marriage was arranged by Submit's father who had illusions of grandeur for his only daughter). This was not to say that she was not happy or did not love her husband, but as befitted her name, Submit was quite adaptable and was, in her own fashion happy in her marriage. In accordance with her late husbands will - which is central to the theme of this book - Submit is entrusted with delivering a small black box to its rightful owner, Graham Wessit who wants nothing to do with the bequest from the man he holds responsible for his ruin -- or with the bewitching emissary who brings it. There were times during the reading of this novel - I wanted to fling it at the wall at the waste Graham seemed to be making of his life but then you delved deeper and found more to like. As far as Submit being true to her name though - I have to say I found this to be untrue as a more stubborn heroine I have yet to see - although Graham was definitely not the type of person to be pining for while he was in the midst of his amorous adventures both in and out of court. It was good - the sex at the end was certainly worth waiting for but overall I have enjoyed this authors other titles much more than this one which was a much slower read for my tastes.
Rating: 
Summary: To the reader below (sistag)
Review: I absolutely *love* BLACK SILK, but I'm writing this post to the reader below who won't try another Judith Ivory book based on this one. Please do! Her books are very different from each other. For something completely different from BLACK SILK, try THE PROPOSITION. It is a funny, lighthearted book and a kind of "My Fair Lady" in reverse, where the hero is turned from a rat catcher into a nobleman. Or, for a dark, erotic read, there's BEAST. THE PROPOSITION is probably the most different from this, though... Good luck! And for everyone else -- I love almost all of this author's books and I highly recommend BLACK SILK, not as the first book to try this author with, but as one of her very best in a more thoughtful and unique style. Have a great time reading it!
Rating:
Summary: More Like 2 1/2 Stars
Review: I agree with those that said this book was intelligently written. However, I disagree with the opinions that seem to imply that if you didn't like this novel then you must be a non-intellectual, smarmy romance loving imbecile...While I did love this book up until a little over half-way through...(up till then, thinking...Gee, this is a classic)after that I only kept reading in hopes that the hero would tell Submit to stick it in her ear. Here is the problem...The hero, while flawed, does in fact make an effort to change and try to become a better person. However, it certainly doesn't help when the heroine is one of the main instruments for bringing him down--unapologetically, I might add, while trashing him in a tawdry publication and then hypocritically remaining holier than thou about it--she and her twisted old fart of a first husband deserved each other. Her sanctimonious enjoyment of the hero's weaknesses turned my desire to 'want' to like her (praying that she would grow up)into out and out dis-like. I love my heroines to be flawed--flawed is good...but static and self-involved...bad---very bad. The book had such potential but somewhere along the way the author surely had to realize that the character of Submit had gotten away from her and was no longer cooperating with the story. That Submit DID NOT want to be in a romance was obvious. It felt as if Judith Ivory had to bring the heroine and the hero kicking and screaming to their very weak romantic ending. I have read and enjoyed other books by Judith Ivory and would even be willing to read another one of her books written in this style...just give me a man and woman who actually like each other.
Rating: 
Summary: Black Silk
Review: I did not really like any of the characters in this book. While the story line about making life changes was good, I thought the writing was tedious and unpolished. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a romantic story.
Rating:
Summary: Not really a romance
Review: I enjoyed this book but I don't think it should be catagorized as a romance novel. Graham was likeable but a pig. Submit got on my nerves after awhile. I could see why she had reservations about Graham, but still she was a prude in my opinion. It wasn't your usual mind candy romance but it was very enjoyable. It leaves me wanting to read more of Judith Ivory's novels.
Rating: 
Summary: I couldn't put the book down
Review: I fell into Judith Ivory's writing when I picked up her Sleeping Beauty... I continued to keep an eye on her new releases and loved the Indiscretion and the Prosposition. I eagerly awaited this release and finally snuck off to buy a copy from the bookstore. I was so disappointed, the regression in her writing style is now easily explained by the fact that it is a republished novel. Ivory really knows how to make her characters unlikeable. It may be in the name of "being real", but when characters reflect so many negative qualities, I cannot begin to like them. I also don't have the same euphoric feeling at the end of the book when the happy ending comes - because I didn't care if my hero and heroine necessarily reached that happy ending. Here, Submit is described as not being necessarily pretty - as having overlapping front teeth, and blonde fuzz all over her skin. She had married a much older man, Henry, and lived happily with him until his death. This husband, who she respected and had great affection for, wasn't that great of a guy either. He makes a bequest that requires his widow to drop a box off to his former ward, Graham Wessit (an earl), which contains erotic drawings that Graham had posed for with an actress when he was young and foolish. These drawings had been discovered and Graham had been kicked out of school, dragged through the court systems, punished most severly not to mention being shamed publicly. The only reason Henry would request such a thing is to dredge up the whole incident and unkindly remind Graham of his folly. After receiving his punishment and serving his time in jail, Graham left home to live his own life. Except Graham apparently never learned from his youthful mistakes - it's 20 years after what should be a fairly life-altering incident, and he is still acting like he is 18-25. The story mentions he married and had 2 children, but Graham can "barely remember" much about his dead wife, and he has a very "hands-off" approach to child-rearing. (Given this may be true for aristocrats in this time period, but it isn't endearing the character to the reader, and I had a hard time hoping for wonderful things for him) There is a laundress acuses Graham of siring her twins and sues him for child-support. Graham tells everyone that he didn't do it, but no one will believe him, it even looks like he will lose the court case. You would think these circumstances would cause a man to evaluate his life and change. Instead, when it looks like losing is inevitable, he settles out of court. The babies are born and are so sickly that one dies. The mother realizes that Graham won't have to take responsiblity for the babies according to the terms of the settlement, so she kills herself. Graham takes the remaining twin - who is very sick, and installs it into his nursery, but they don't mention it much - it doesn't seem to have much force on the overall plot, which is sad, because it was one of the few redeeming actions of a man who has essentially wasted his life. Graham also has a mistress throughout most of the book, and when he finally gets to the point where he and Submit consumate their relationship, it is only hours after sleeping with this other woman. Submit is also dealing with a lawsuit from Henry's bastard son, William, who has frozen all her assets while he disputes Henry's will. She has almost no means of support except the royalties from Henry's publications. One of which, it turns out, is a weekly "fictional" piece that basically sensationalizes all of Graham's wicked misdeeds throughout his life. This weekly publication starts after Henry's death, and when the publisher approaches Submit about continuing the stories until the story is finished, she does so - even after she discovers the fictional character is Graham. Ivory may have portrayed true human nature with all its foibles, but because of it, I really was unable to enjoy and rejoice with these characters.
Rating:
Summary: Very Well Written
Review: I have to agree with some of the other reviewers, this is not really a romance. The book goes back and forth between the lives of Submit and Graham. Graham is a carefree (on the surface) rich lord, who experiments with fireworks, drinks and carouses. Typical for most title gentlemen in England. He is however a very complicated man, having been past from pillar to post most of his life. The cousin who finally takes him in to raise never seems to understand the boy. He is therefore rebellious. He gets into some trouble in school that is treated rather harshly, which also goes a long way in his mental development. He therefore feels like he is apart from the rest of the community he lives in. Submit's father wanted her to marry a title, so she was sent from one boarding school to the next to become a lady. Her father is a real jerk and obviously never really love her. She marries a much older man to satisfy her father. Henry, Submit's husband, also raised Graham. Henry seems to be a very ridged and set in his ways. When he dies a request in his will brings Submit and Graham together. They don't come together romantically until the last 75 to 100 pages of the book. This is a well written book, but if you are looking for escapism don't read it.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: I loved this book! A beautiful, believable romance that doesn't insult your intelligence. Not a book to read if you like bodice-rippers with swooning, hysterical heroines and abusive, domineering "heroes" and overwrought language. This was much more subtle and I savored every page of it!
Rating:
Summary: Subtle, clever, sexy as all get-out
Review: I loved this book. It might be my favorite of Judith Ivory's, and I've read them all. These characters intrigue from the first page, and you won't find their like in other romance novels. This is for you if you like an intellectually stimulating sexy read!
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