I've been taking lounging about lately trying to enjoy the last few weeks of summer and one of my favourite summer indulgences is reading historical fiction. I love to be transported to another place and time as I was in the novel The Glassblower of Murano.In this fictional tale, Leonora Manin leaves her disasterous marriage in London behind to start over in the city of Venice as a glassblower. Leonora secures a job based on the fact that she is a descendant of Corradino Manin, a renowned glassblower of the 17th century. At that time in history, Venetian mirrors were more precious than gold and the secrets of their craft were jealously guarded by the murderous Council of Ten. Corradino risks all to achieve his freedom and sells his methods to Louis XIV to create the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles. The two stories are interwoven to create a tale as enchanting as the city of Venice itself.
I've only been to Venice once, many years ago, and yet, this book made me feel like I'd recently visited the famed city. I was drawn into this well-crafted tale of intrigue and felt compelled to keep reading to find out what happened to Corradino and his descendants. As an artist, I appreciated the precise descriptions of glass-blowing, which sounds like both a difficult and dangerous art. The characters were well-rounded and the story believable. Almost as interesting were the after-notes including the author's own story of how she came to write this novel. If you didn't have the vacation that you hoped for this summer, pick up this book and you will feel like you've been to Venice.
Title: The Glassblower of Murano
Author: Marina Fiorato
Publisher: Beautiful Books Limited (UK) 2008
Category: Fiction
Price: US$13.95, Canada $17.95 (paperback)
Number of Pages: 348
14 comments:
Ingrid! That's what I'm reading now! So far, I'm loving it.Thanks for the review:)
that sounds fun - I'm on my way to order it right now!
thanks for the review. I like historical fiction, too - though not a fan of historical "romance" LOL.
Interesting. I saw glass blowing in Venice, and it was fascinating to watch - and a little scary (don't inhale!). You should certainly visit Venice - a good match for you I'd say! I recommend the spring, before it's warm and tourist-y. Venice in a spring rain is rapturously beautiful. It's like riding through a watercolor painting.
I shall look out for this - it can only help with my Venetian obsession...xv
I do so love a book which transports one to another place and time ... .
this one sounds like perfect.
Jjj
Perfect book for a nice long flight! {wink wink}
Thanks for sharing~
xo's
Oh wonderful.....another good read. I'm going to go wrap up another good read for you right now......
Blowing you kisses on the wind, so you will probably get them tomorrow evening.
xoxoxo
I have been on the lookout some historical fiction but nothing in the bookshops have tempted me today. I am sio glad to have read your post as this will be the book for me! Off to see if Amazon UK has it.
Have a great weekend
Isabelle x
Dear Ingrid -
I will be picking up this book as I didn't have the vacation I'd hoped for! It sounds wonderful.
Catherine
Wow, this sounds like a great book! I'm reading a book called The Law of Nines by Terry Goodkind, definitely not fashion-related!
I just finished reading Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell. I think you might like it if you haven't read it already :) There were some descriptions of embroidery types that I've never heard of!
Have a great week ^___^
Your reviews are so good, Ingrid, because you tell us (me) what I really want to know. Was it well written? Was it believable? And since you have the artist's sensibility yourself, if you like a book I feel I can trust your sense of taste and high quality!!
This sounds fascinating!
Oh, I'm so there! Great review, Ingrid :) I adore Italy and all things Italian :)
Good to visit you again :)
Have a Happy Day!
Oh I love historical fiction too! Great review and post Ingrid, I'm off to find a copy.
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