The Glassblower of Murano by Marina Fiorato
Release date: 2008 / 348 pages
Synopsis (from back cover): Venice, 1681. Glassblowing is the lifeblood of the Republic and Venetian mirrors are more precious than gold. Jealously guarded by the murderous Council of Ten, the glassblowers of Murano are virtually imprisoned on their island in the lagoon. But the greatest artist of their number, Corradino Manin, sells his methods and his soul… to protect his secret daughter… Centuries later his descendant, Nora Manin, escapes an unhappy life in London, determined to apprentice as a glassblower in the city of her ancestors.
First lines: “As Corradino Manin looked on the lights of San Marco for the last time, Venice from the lagoon seemed to him a golden constellation in the dark blue velvet dusk.”
Review: This was the last review book I read while in Florida, and I started and finished it on the flight home — page one at take off and page 348 as we descended into the Twin Cities! It was the perfect choice for my flight, too — fast and engaging.
The plot follows two generations of the Manin family – a glass-blower from the 17th century and his 21st century descendant (also a glass-blower). As with any narrative that alternates between time-periods and characters, both stories needed to be compelling — and they were.
The modern descendent is Leonora, freshly divorced, who moves back to her land of birth (Venice) to start a new life. Her predecessor was a very talented artist who accidentally discovered how to create mirrors and this secret ultimately costs him his life (not a spoiler — he dies in the first chapter and his life is told in “reverse” as a flashback).
The modern narrative is primarily a romance, but also a bit of hero’s journey as Leonora rediscovers herself as an artist and as the descendent of one of the most famous Murano glass-blowers. Although I do not choose to read much historical fiction, this aspect of the novel was particularly interesting and complemented the more predictable romantic aspects very well.
If you think you might be interested in reading this novel, simply leave me a comment and I’ll put you in the running! In the meantime, check out why this novel was chosen as one of the 50 best “books to talk about!”
I’d love to read this story. Please enter me, thank you
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I’d love to read this; please enter me. Thanks!
Please pick me! I love historical fiction novels set in Italy!
Although I haven’t read historical fiction, I’ve always wanted to. This book seems like a good one to begin with. Please enter me, thanks!
Glassblower… sounds like an intriguing read, and I love historical fiction. Please enter me into the giveaway!
I LOVE historical fiction. This one is definitely going on my wishlist. I’d love to win a copy.
I would love to win this book. It sounds like a fun read.
I’d love to be entered, thanks for the giveaway!
This book looks great. Please enter me in the drawing. Historical fiction is my guilty pleasure.
Sounds like a great book for my upcoming flight to Florida! Please enter me, too!
Pick me, pick me!
Ooooh! This is so hard! I wish I had many copies, but I only have one.
So, I threw everyone’s name in bowl and the winner is… Jenny!
Congratulations!!
Loved your review. Sounds like a very good read. Thanks for having the contest.
thanks for your review and coincidentally a friend of mine is a glass blower. The good news is she wasn’t aware of this book, so thanks for the post!!
Cool! I hope I just gave you a good gift idea!
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