The Glassblower of Murano

The Glassbower of Murano by Marina Fiorato is a fluffy meringue of a book, though actually not too fluffy.  It's been excellent vacation reading particularly as I sit inside listening to the cold north wind blowing in subzero temperatures, tucked under my electric blanket and fantasizing about being in beautiful (and no doubt much more temperate) Venice with Nora Manin, or Leonora as she reinvents herself.

The Glassblower of Murano is a combination of historical fiction set in 17th century Venice, or the Republic of Venice as it was known then, a very cutthroat place to live if you were a talented artisan, as well as a contemporary romance set in England and Venice.  The two tales run parallel and finally converge nicely at the end with a mystery to unravel as well.

Nora is half-Venetian, the product of a failed marriage between a British professor and a gondolier.  When Bruno Manin, Elinor's Venetian husband refuses to return to England with her, the couple part.  He never writes, and it isn't until much later that we learn the reason why.  So Nora is raised in an all-female household by her mother and grandmother, eventually becoming a sculptor.  She faces bitterness of her own when she discovers her husband has been having an affair and leaves Nora for his expectant girlfriend.  Since her life is in turmoil she decides to recreate it by returning to her Venetian roots hoping to become a glassblower, the craft of the Venetian side of her family.

We meet Corradino Manin in the opening chapters, Leonora's ancestor, one of the most skilled glassblowers in the history of Venice.  I mentioned it was all a bit cloak and dagger as the novel begins.  The Republic of Venice was known far and wide for its glassblowing and the ruling body, The Council of Ten, went to great measures to ensure their secrets stayed safely tucked away on the island of Murano.  When Corradino is tempted by the French to sell his methods, the succeeding treachery wrought on all sides will be felt for generations.   

Fiorato gives a tantalizing glimpse into what the world of glassblowing must have been like, the skill necessary and the danger involved.  I had no idea that the glassblowers were all but imprisoned on the island to keep their secrets safe!  And the contemporary side to the story had a satisfying, though not too gushing or over the top, love story in it.  And yes, there is even a bit of a mystery that must be researched and solved.  Leonora gets a happy ending (though a bit of a rocky road along the way) and finds out the truth about her ancestor Corradino.  So all in all this was a perfect holiday read.  Marina has been included in the Spread the Word Books to Talk About long list, and I wish her well in making the short list.  You can see the full list of nominees here.  I've already got her forthcoming book, Madonna of the Almonds in my book pile.  It is set in sunny Tuscany, and if the Arctic freeze continues here, I might have to escape into its nice, warm pages sooner rather than later!  By the way, The Glassblower of Murano is due to be published in the US in May 2009.

Comments

[Katherine]

I've been meaning to read this for a while. Thanks for the review!

[Tricia]

This sounds right up my alley. I'm putting it in the TBR!

[Danielle]

Katherine--This is quick and entertaining and I hope you enjoy it as well!
Tricia--I love books set in Italy and it's been a while since I've read anything with this setting, so it was the perfect read for my mood at the moment!

[Elaine]

Danielle - I read this while on holiday this year lolling by the pool in Turkey. I really enjoyed it, as you say a bit fluffy, but that is no criticism. Any book set in Venice will do for me - I love that city so much that I am a sucker for stories set there

[Danielle]

Elaine--I really enjoyed The Glassblower. As you say fluffy is not a criticism, just a different sort of read. And I love anything set in Italy, too. I only wish I could experience the real thing once again!

[Matt]

I'm putting The Glassblower of Murano on my watchlist. It sounds intriguing! :)

[Danielle]

Matt--I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading her new one as well! This one will be out in bookstores this spring.