Glassblower of Murano
by Marina Fiorato
Published by St. Martin’s Griffin
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Reviewed by Sarah Nagle
Murano glass, complex and beautiful, has a long historical pedigree. First-time novelist Marina Fiorato delicately captures a bit of this history in Glassblower of Murano, a layered story of an Englishwoman searching for a 17th century ancestor. Leonora Manin, always known as Nora, has come to Venice to heal from her broken marriage and discover the city of the father she never knew. What she finds is infinitely more overwhelming than she could imagine. The artistic riches and the weight of Venice’s history almost overwhelm her as she discovers that Corrado Manin wasn’t just a glassblower among many. Instead her ancestor was an artist of such quality and worth that he, like most glassblowers, was virtually imprisoned on the island of Murano so as to keep their secrets from spies wanting to duplicate the industry in other parts of Europe.
Quickly shedding her previous life, Nora apprentices as a glassblower and quickly finds talent spilling out of her as if from her genes. The connection with her famous ancestor is soon capitalized on by her employer–leading to jealousy and hostility from co-workers. Paralleling this difficult situation is her unfolding research into Corrado’s life, leading her to dark secrets perhaps better left hidden. Another Leonora, from that earlier time, is appearing from the past to illuminate the growing mystery.
Author Fiorato, who is half-Venetian, deftly paints the colors and shadows of a fascinating period in Venetian history when the secrets of its artists were its fortune, to be protected at all cost. Fascinating as well are the descriptions of how blown glass is created from sand and fire using age-old techniques. At times the historical drama overwhelms the present-day narrative, causing Nora’s growing relationship with an attractive Venetian to be less developed than the reader might like. Nora’s quest, however, illuminates a satisfying and well-crafted novel of art, love, and the ties of family through the centuries.
Armchair Interviews says: A charming debut novel filled with history, romance and so much more.
Author’s Web site: http://www.MarinaFiorato.com