I have read quite a few novels by Tracy Chevalier and they were all highly interesting, always about different people in different areas at different times.
But this was special. From the descriptions, I first thought this was a little like the stories by Edward Rutherfurd who guides us through centuries by introducing several people from several families. Well, this was a little different. The story starts in 1494 Orsola Rossa, the protagonist, lives in Murano with her family of glassmakers. After 500 years, she is in her sixties and has lived through a plague, several wars, many changes in the lives of people, especially women.
While I was first a little dismayed by this way of telling the story, I really loved the people in Murano and Venice. Not all, but most of them. And the story of the family and how they got through all the upheavals, was also fantastic.
You can tell, that Tracy Chevalier put a lot of time and effort into the research. I especially loved to learn about all the details of glassmaking. Well done.
I doubt I will ever get to see Venice but this is a good substitute.
From the back cover:
"Across the lagoon lies Murano. Time flows differently here – like the glass the island’s maestros spend their lives perfecting.
In secret, Orsola Rosso learns to craft glass. As a woman, she must flout convention to save her family from ruin. We follow her through hundreds of years of war and plague, tragedy and triumph, love and loss.
Skipping like a stone across the centuries, The Glassmaker is a virtuoso portrait of a woman, a family and a city that are as everlasting as glass."
I was hesitating about this one, thanks for your great review
ReplyDeleteI don't think I would have read it if I had known how they "travel" through time, Emma, but in the end, that didn't matter.
DeleteLike Emma, I have been wondering about this book.
ReplyDeleteI've been intending to read another Chevalier, but still unsure between this one or A Single Thread.
That's still on my TBR pile, so I couldn't really tell you which one to start with, Fanda, In any case, enjoy either of them.
DeleteSounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteIt definitely is, C&B.
DeleteHi Marianne, since you type the word "address" on my post, I couldn't post anything in the reply section. Would you be so kind as to delete it? I think it's flagged up security. Thank you for your help.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm very sorry about that. I just checked and couldn't find where I could have posted it. Can you send me the link? Or tell me what the post was about?
DeleteI love Trace C and Venice so this is definitely a book for me, it seems. I downloaded on my app, only and audio book, but it might work as well. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI think you are going to enjoy it, Lisbeth.
DeleteGreat review and you have sparked my interest. I have also read some of her books and like her style. You mentioned Edward Rutherfurd, I love his books! The long stories and family histories through the centuries are the best. The Ireland series was good. Loved The Forest.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tina. If you like her and Edward Rutherfurd, I am sure you will like this one, as well. And I wouldn't even be able to mention just one or two of either of their books, they are all so great.
DeleteI'd love to see Venice one day. Haven't read this book, but it's somewhere on my TBR list. ';D
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't mind, either, Lark. But my health probably won't allow me any trips like that anymore. A week by the see where we only have to drive an hour or two is fine with me. Or a visit to a nearby town. I have done lots of travelling when I was younger, so I won't complain. There is still a lot I can do.
DeleteEnjoy the book, once you get to it.
I picked this up a few months ago. I'll see if I can 'couple' it with something... [muses] I've enjoyed (very much) some of her other work. Its about time I tried another one. I was in Venice (very briefly) a thousand years ago. We didn't hang around long enough to like it. Maybe if we'd stayed a few days.... I do remember the smell of stagnant water though. I certainly wouldn't have liked to fall into one of those canals!
ReplyDeleteGood idea, Kitten. If Edward Rutherfurd had written a book about Italy, that could be a great one. But, unfortunately, he hasn't. Maybe a non-fiction about Italy? Or even Venice? In any case, I'm sure you'll like it.
DeleteOooo, glad you liked this book! I have this in my 'tbr' pile.
ReplyDeleteSo, I can look forward to seeing how you like it soon? I am pretty sure you will like it, Lisa.
DeleteI really enjoyed this book. Interesting how it made you think of Rutherford's novel--I like most of his stuff--and I can see the parallels. I loved reading how Venice/Italy/glassblowing changed over the centuries, and I thought Chevalier was inventive and skillful in keeping the characters true to both the time she placed them in and their core selves.
ReplyDeleteI have visited Venice and long to go back. If/when I do, a visit to Murano is definitely on the list to see for the first time!
Oh, yes, Jane. If I visited Venice, I'd definitely have to include Murano now, after having read so much about it.
DeleteI thought about Rutherfurd when I read the description on the book. But, as I said, it wasn't exactly like I thought. I still really liked the book. So, thanks.