Tracy Chevalier’s The Glassmaker feels like stepping into a kaleidoscope—colorful, intricate, and timeless. Set on Murano, the island of Venetian glassmakers, this novel captures the lives of the Rosso family, particularly the indomitable Orsola Rosso, whose spirit and skill defy societal expectations.
The story opens in 1486, where Orsola longs to craft delicate glass goblets, but as a woman, she’s deemed fit only to make “inconsequential” beads. Those very beads save her family repeatedly as the novel skips through centuries of triumph, loss, and survival. From the Renaissance to plagues, Napoleon’s conquests, and even COVID-19, Chevalier vividly portrays Murano’s changing fortunes and the resilience of the Rosso women.
The glassmaking details are fascinating. Chevalier’s research shines, and her descriptions of molten glass transforming into art are pure magic. Orsola’s love story—spanning over 500 years—adds a touch of romantic melancholy, though the concept of her aging slowly strained belief. The historical cameos, from Casanova to Empress Josephine and famous glassmaker Antonio Barovier, ground the Rosso family’s fictional tale in history.
Some moments felt rushed, especially in later centuries, but the heart of the novel—family, artistry, and tradition—endures. I also didn’t care for the political agenda at the end.
If you love beautifully crafted historical fiction with strong female leads and rich sensory detail, The Glassmaker won’t disappoint. A fascinating, well-researched 4-star read!
** Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary review copy. The opinions are my own.