Wonderful combination of mystery, historical intrigue and love, written by an English/Venetian author, which tells a story of passion, genius and betrayal linking the present and the past. Nora Manin decides to leave her fractured life in London to start again in Venice, and there begins to unravel the story of her ancestor, Corradino Manin, the greatest artist of glass that the island of Murano ever produced. Already established as a European bestselling novel, with over 100,000 copies sold in Europe to date.
The Glassblower of Murano
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'A great read with a plot that moves seamlessly between seventeenth-century and modern-day Venice. If you've never been there, you'll be booking to go, if you have, you'll be going back!
(Best )'As mesmerising as the perfecet glass at its heart'
(Waterstones Books Quarterly )'Recommended'
(Good Book Guide )'A sizzling . . . read, and a must to pack in the suitcase'
(Italian Magazine )'The enchanting tale of one woman, her past and the magical art of glassmaking is rich with passion, mystery and intrigue'
(Booktime ) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.About the Author
Marina Fiorato is half-Venetian. She was born in Manchester and raised in the Yorkshire Dales. She is a history graduate of Oxford University and the University of Venice. After university she studied art and has worked as an illustrator, actress and film reviewer. Marina was married on the Grand Canal and lives in north London with her husband, son and daughter. She is the author of five novels: The Glassblower of Murano, The Madonna of the Almonds, The Botticelli Secret, Daughter of Siena and The Venetian Contract. You can follow Marina on Twitter at @MarinaFiorato and find out more about her and her writing at www.marinafiorato.com.
--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
74 of 76 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A beautifully crafted read with great pace against the evocative backdrop of Venice.
16 May 2008
By J. Pancholi
Format:Paperback
I give this book a 5 star recommendation, read it cover to cover and would really recommend it to anyone.
Throughout the attention to detail is fantastic from the description of the intricacies of Venice's architecture to the technical details of subjects as diverse as mirror making and old manuscript preservation.
This novel runs in a dual time theme with a fast paced gripping and tragic industrial espionage tale intertwined with a modern day emotional search for happiness. At it's 'heart' it's a tale of love and family across the ages but anyone thinking this is a touchy feely emotional wet blanket should think again. The historical pot starts with an atmospheric chase through renaissance carnival Venice, culminates in a murder that sets a host of questions that are answered in both time threads. Moral decisions and dilemmas abound and the both time threads have their fare share of edgy moral moments.
Without giving too much away there's a piece of political satire that makes you laugh out loud and then feel shocked to the core within a sentence, there's witty comment on the clash of modern commercial need with the historical artisan's craftsmanship and a beautiful dream sequence with a nightmarish awakening that might well affect your sleep if you dwell on it too long!
The quality of writing throughout is of a good standard and I know there's alot of historical fiction on the shelves but I'd really recommend this read. The author's style is entertaining and easy reading so this is a great book if you like a good read and want to learn something of history!
And I meant what I said about not putting it down.
Throughout the attention to detail is fantastic from the description of the intricacies of Venice's architecture to the technical details of subjects as diverse as mirror making and old manuscript preservation.
This novel runs in a dual time theme with a fast paced gripping and tragic industrial espionage tale intertwined with a modern day emotional search for happiness. At it's 'heart' it's a tale of love and family across the ages but anyone thinking this is a touchy feely emotional wet blanket should think again. The historical pot starts with an atmospheric chase through renaissance carnival Venice, culminates in a murder that sets a host of questions that are answered in both time threads. Moral decisions and dilemmas abound and the both time threads have their fare share of edgy moral moments.
Without giving too much away there's a piece of political satire that makes you laugh out loud and then feel shocked to the core within a sentence, there's witty comment on the clash of modern commercial need with the historical artisan's craftsmanship and a beautiful dream sequence with a nightmarish awakening that might well affect your sleep if you dwell on it too long!
The quality of writing throughout is of a good standard and I know there's alot of historical fiction on the shelves but I'd really recommend this read. The author's style is entertaining and easy reading so this is a great book if you like a good read and want to learn something of history!
And I meant what I said about not putting it down.
50 of 52 people found the following review helpful
By Roman Clodia
TOP 50 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Apologies to all the fans of this book, but after the rave reviews I found it somewhat lacking. I'm not going to repeat the plot as that's already been done, but this felt very slight and oddly both operatically overblown and yet at the same time stripped of true emotion.
The structure of past and present linked through family ancestry is one which every other novel around seems to emulate. While the narrative is mainly in the third person there are irritating interjections on nearly every page where suddenly the protagonist says a few words (and I do mean a few) for her/himself, but they tend to repeat what we have already been told.
I found the modern story more engaging that the past one (and I'm usually the other way around with novels). Emotions were very clumsily delineated, in my view: people felt literally dizzy with surprise, were physically sick with nerves, literally jumped in the air for joy, were constantly shaken, breathless, overthrown... all very exhausting to read. When the protagonist is asked to be the model of an advertising campaign for Venetian glass, she thinks the idea is 'obscene' - why? Yet another exmple of soap-opera-style emotion that seems way out of kilter with what was actually called for.
The central relationship between Leonora and the rather lovely Alessandro was very pale: there's no real sense of any relationship between them. And the ending was just too fairy-tale for words.
I'm perhaps sounding more critically negative than is appropriate: this isn't a bad novel, it's a pleasant enough read, it would be perfect for a sleepy holiday in the sun, and it slips down very easily on a commute. It's just very slight and a little too bland for me. Definitely 3 stars.
The structure of past and present linked through family ancestry is one which every other novel around seems to emulate. While the narrative is mainly in the third person there are irritating interjections on nearly every page where suddenly the protagonist says a few words (and I do mean a few) for her/himself, but they tend to repeat what we have already been told.
I found the modern story more engaging that the past one (and I'm usually the other way around with novels). Emotions were very clumsily delineated, in my view: people felt literally dizzy with surprise, were physically sick with nerves, literally jumped in the air for joy, were constantly shaken, breathless, overthrown... all very exhausting to read. When the protagonist is asked to be the model of an advertising campaign for Venetian glass, she thinks the idea is 'obscene' - why? Yet another exmple of soap-opera-style emotion that seems way out of kilter with what was actually called for.
The central relationship between Leonora and the rather lovely Alessandro was very pale: there's no real sense of any relationship between them. And the ending was just too fairy-tale for words.
I'm perhaps sounding more critically negative than is appropriate: this isn't a bad novel, it's a pleasant enough read, it would be perfect for a sleepy holiday in the sun, and it slips down very easily on a commute. It's just very slight and a little too bland for me. Definitely 3 stars.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By b
Format:Paperback
Marina Fiorato's novel is set in a beautifully recreated Venice as glassblower Nora Manin moves to Venice from London after the breakdown of her marriage, determined to develop her own skills on the island of Murano and to learn more about the life and work of her ancestor, the great 17th century artist, Corradino Manin.
Fiorato's historical research and understanding of the mechanics of the Murano industry are enlightening and the plot develops rapidly switching between 21st and 17th century settings as Nora's understanding of the life of her ancestor is enhanced through a series of encounters and through her own bitter experiences of the rivalries of the glassblowing industry.
The novel is well written and I would recommend it highly, though I did feel that some of the contemporary sequences were less successful than the historical sections of the novel and that some of the characters felt too obviously contrived.
Fiorato's historical research and understanding of the mechanics of the Murano industry are enlightening and the plot develops rapidly switching between 21st and 17th century settings as Nora's understanding of the life of her ancestor is enhanced through a series of encounters and through her own bitter experiences of the rivalries of the glassblowing industry.
The novel is well written and I would recommend it highly, though I did feel that some of the contemporary sequences were less successful than the historical sections of the novel and that some of the characters felt too obviously contrived.
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3.8 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
New Authour for me
Not read any of Marina Fiorato novels before and really enjoyed this.
Now reading the Madonna of the Almonds and enjoying that as well
Now reading the Madonna of the Almonds and enjoying that as well
Published 1 month ago by allison tucker
5.0 out of 5 stars
fantastic book
really enjoyed this book. it brings venice to life with its history and modern day . really is worth reading
Published 2 months ago by snowqueen
5.0 out of 5 stars
My kind of story
Loved the romance without being soppy. Wonderful detail of Venice past and present and fascinated by the glass blowers and this mysterious little island.
Published 2 months ago by Manxgirl
3.0 out of 5 stars
Book Review
On a wish list for family member. It will be passed to me eventually, but this person is very discerning about books, so I believe it will be a good read.
Published 3 months ago by N. Merrifield
4.0 out of 5 stars
Sets the scene for modern day Venice
The late 1600s when Venice was flying and glass was hugely prized. Modern day Nora Manin decides to return to the city of her ancestors and become a glass blowing apprentice. Read more
Published 3 months ago by TripFiction
3.0 out of 5 stars
Pleasant light read
This was quite a good story & style of writing easy to read, but somehow lacked "historical reality" to me.
Nice to read about places in & around Venice. Read more
Nice to read about places in & around Venice. Read more
Published 3 months ago by MaggieP
4.0 out of 5 stars
book club choice for February 2013
A riveting tale, over many years, a master glass blower is blackmailed to go to France, to provide mirror glass for the building of the Palace of Versailles, many years later a... Read more
Published 3 months ago by HOWARD AND JACQUELINE KNEEN
4.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyed this book
I really enjoyed this book as it focused on an area of history I only knew a little bit about.
Published 5 months ago by Y A Hayes
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great story.
Great story, particularly if you love Venice. Will read more of her novels without doubt. Good Book Club choice l'm sure.
Published 5 months ago by Janet P
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another excellent read about a Venice not recognised by modern...
I would highly recommend this story. It's an enthralling read which reveals a threatening side to Venice. I have had to buy some more of the books written by this author.
Published 5 months ago by Mrs. Evelyn M. Weall
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