The Tiffany Girls

A Novel

By: Shelley Noble

Narrated by: Caroline Hewitt

Length: 11 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times bestselling author Shelley Noble wows with a gripping historical novel about the real-life “Tiffany Girls,” a fascinating and largely unknown group of women artists behind Tiffany’s most legendary glassworks.

It’s 1899, and Manhattan is abuzz. Louis Comfort Tiffany, famous for his stained-glass windows, is planning a unique installation at the Paris World’s Fair, the largest in history. At their fifth-floor studio on Fourth Avenue, the artists of the Women’s Division of the Tiffany Glass Company are already working longer shifts to finish the pieces that Tiffany hopes will prove that he is the world’s finest artist in glass. Known as the “Tiffany Girls,” these women are responsible for much of the design and construction of Tiffany’s extraordinary glassworks, but none receive credit.

Emilie Pascal, daughter of an art forger, has been shunned in Paris art circles after the unmasking of her abusive father. Wanting nothing more than a chance to start a new life, she forges a letter of recommendation in hopes of fulfilling her destiny as an artist in the one place where she will finally be free to live her own life.

Grace Griffith is the best copyist in the studio, spending her days cutting glass into floral borders for Tiffany’s religious stained-glass windows. But none of her coworkers know her secret: she is living a double life as a political cartoonist under the pseudonym of G.L. Griffith—hiding her identity as a woman.

As manager of the women’s division, Clara Driscoll is responsible for keeping everything on schedule and within budget. But in the lead-up to the most important exhibition of her career, not only are her girls becoming increasingly difficult to wrangle, she finds herself obsessed with a new design: a dragonfly lamp that she has no idea will one day become Tiffany’s signature piece.

Brought together by chance, driven by their desire to be artists in one of the only ways acceptable for women in their time, these “Tiffany Girls” will break the glass ceiling of their era and for working women to come.

This historical fiction novel set in the Gilded Age of New York City is a perfect gift for any woman interested in art, history, or strong women breaking the glass ceiling of their era.

©2023 Shelley Noble (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers

Almost 5 stars

The author.could have cut down by not saying multiple things multiple times. It felt repetitive at times but otherwise I absolutely loved this book

Wonderful story

Great historical novel. The history and works are fascinating. The performer is excellent. I’ll listen to more by her and the author.

Loved this book

Enjoyable historical fiction loved the story and the history. Love this author can’t wait to read more of her books

Ok summer read

For a book that touts women breaking glass ceilings, the protagonist is a bit wishy washy. I felt like she needed smelling salts. It was also quite predictable. Nice for an easy summer read though.

Historic and artistic

Great women’s history piece with art and charm. Not romance, beautifully written. This book will draw you in with real relationships and human experience

Light historical book - quick read

I really enjoyed this book! It’s not too heavy or deep but leaves you very satisfied. A great summer read or beach read! Plus, you get to learn a little about the time period and Tiffany glass :)

So good

This is a terrific, interesting, and delightful book to listen to.
The evocations of color and light, the differences in the two worlds which the heroine inhabits bring your senses alive. The flawless narration by Ms. Hewitt gives each character its own identity and lends greater clarity to the story.
A wonderful journey to the past.

Wonderful auditable book to listen to.

Enjoyed this book very much . With factual information about Mr. Tiffany and the Paris exhibition was a wonderful success for all.

A fast pace book. Loved it.

My cup of tea

I like this type of book. It gives you a glimpse of history without being overburdened. The characters were pretty well established and the reader was pleasant to listen to. It’s worth your time.

Enthralled

Being an artist myself-I was fascinated by this story. It is always interesting to see the world of art through the perspective of creative women. The narrator did a wonderful job of capturing the many personalities. I was so sorry when it ended. I wanted more.