The Glassmaker

A Novel

De: Tracy Chevalier

Narrado por: Lisa Flanagan

Named a Best Historical Novel of 2024 by The Sunday Times, The Independent, and BookPage

“The Glassmaker is as finely wrought as a dazzling Murano bead. . . . Chevalier reaffirms her status as one of the reigning queens of historical fiction.” —The Independent

“This charming fable is at once a love story that skips through six centuries, and also a love song to the timeless craft of glassmaking. Chevalier probes the fierce rivalries and enduring loyalties of Murano's glass dynasties, capturing the roar of the furnace, the sweat on the skin, and the glittering beauty of Venetian glass.” – Geraldine Brooks, author of Horse

From the bestselling historical novelist, a rich, transporting story that follows a family of glassmakers from the height of Renaissance-era Italy to the present day.

It is 1486 and Venice is a wealthy, opulent center for trade. Orsola Rosso is the eldest daughter in a family of glassblowers on Murano, the island revered for the craft. As a woman, she is not meant to work with glass—but she has the hands for it, the heart, and a vision. When her father dies, she teaches herself to make glass beads in secret, and her work supports the Rosso family fortunes.

Skipping like a stone through the centuries, in a Venice where time moves as slowly as molten glass, we follow Orsola and her family as they live through creative triumph and heartbreaking loss, from a plague devastating Venice to Continental soldiers stripping its palazzos bare, from the domination of Murano and its maestros to the transformation of the city of trade into a city of tourists. In every era, the Rosso women ensure that their work, and their bonds, endure.

Chevalier is a master of her own craft, and The Glassmaker is as inventive as it is spellbinding: a mesmerizing portrait of a woman, a family, and a city as everlasting as their glass.

Wonderfully done history of glassmaking and Venetian culture through the eyes of one woman

Only thing a little hard to follow was the timeline, how it jumped ahead by a stone thrown across the canal…yet the family didn’t age the same amount.

A great story with an unneccesary side of time travel.

The Murano and Venetian history of glass and the characters were great. i loved most of the story line except for the time travel It was confusing and felt like an afterthought.

glass making family

Generational family story life. liked the magical realism and ties to actual history. Characters elastic and believable.

Wonderful historical history of women!

Murano in the 1900’s to present!! The importance role of women!!Great story of family and perseverance!!

I am a glass bead “lamp worker…….

…….and this book was a pleasure. My glass comes from the city of Murano so it was extra special. When I am making glass beads I think about how techniques have evolved in so many ways but we still use many of the ways they worked the glass i. The 1400’s. I finished and found myself missing the characters. I got to know them so well and didn’t want it to end. Will be listening to this again sometime.

Very Interestingly Story About Murano Glass and Bead Makers Through The Ages

If you are even mildly curious about the history of Italian glass making and how artisan families worked past to present you will love this book! If firm timelines is a priority you might find the story a little frustrating but I say just let story unfold and enjoy the character's growth and through time.

Surprising literary device

This is an excellent book based on the history of glass making on Murano and trade out of Venice. A clever literary device allows her to age the main characters a few years while the outside world may advance hundreds. I was skeptical initially but it works.

The creative use of time in the novel by the author six centuries of history are summarized into 60 years in one woman's life.

I loved how every page was interesting. there was no dull parts. I didn't want to be away from it, rather I wanted to keep reading and be immersed in that world. The leading lady was interesting. strong yet a victim. She seemed flawless to me and suffered much and held my heart full of pity for her. I found the ending very satisfying and unconventional. This book is unique, an epic world view, a panoramic work of art. It was my favorite one I read in book club this year. It contains over 30 characters. all well drawn so that the reader can see them in her mind's eye.

Historical Fiction with a touch of time travel

I am fascinated by glassblowing and its artistry, so The Glassmaker was a natural fit for me. But Tracy Chevalier has spun some magic into the tale with a sweeping five hundred year history of Venice and Murano seen though the eyes of the same characters. No spoilers, but it totally works. Lovely audio performance by Flanagan who chooses a straightforward but sensitive reading of the material. Adored.

Missed opportunity

The constant change in time periods was too jarring for me. The historical research was fantastic, but the plot was flat with very little build.