“An epic literary feast across centuries capturing the essence of the Muranese glass makers. A twist exists throughout the exquisite narrative – a stone that skips from 1486 to modern day. It can be a risky, clunky tool when you use ‘time travel’ in fiction, but author Tracy Chevalier seamlessly works time transition into her tale.”
Set in Murano, across the water from Venice amongst the glass artisans, The Glass Maker features their families, politics and trials. Though the influences of terraferma are a relentless threat to undermine their unique island ways, Murano continuously finds a way to ply their craft through generations.
Orsola Rosso’s future is assured when a rival glass making family invests in her natural instinct and curiosity for the glass trade – it’s not something that can be cold-trained, bought or acquired and Orsola commits to finely honing her skills to create the basics through to exquisite beads. She has to jostle for her place in the family, her rightful position to practice her trade and endure injustices of ‘family deals’ when it comes to matters of her heart.
Orsolo faces love and loss with determination, hard work and takes bold risks as she traverses the waters between Venice and Murano.
Historical fiction always reveals deeper understandings of places and people, and The Glass Maker provides a vast array to spark your mind and imagination. Author Tracy Chevalier provides an intelligent, clever historical sage that you will find most satisfying.
Harper Collins
ISBN 9780008701307