The Secret of the Glass

by Donna Russo Morin

Book Overview

The Murano glassmakers of Venice are celebrated and revered. But now three are dead, killed for attempting to leave the city that both prized their work and kept them prisoner. For in this, the 17th century, the secret of their craft must, by law, never leave Venetian shores. Yet there is someone who keeps the secret while defying tradition. She is Sophia Fiolario, and she, too, is a glassmaker. Her crime is being a woman. . . Sophia is well aware...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0758226926
• ISBN13: 9780758226921
• Release Date: March 2010
• Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corporation
• Length: 408 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.6" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

The Secret of The Glass

Right from the start I knew I would be interested in reading THE SECRET OF THE GLASS. How could I pass up a novel on fabulous 17 c Venice and the art of glassmaking? I was hooked from the beginning. Sophia Fiolario, the eldest of Zeno Fiolario's three daughters, learned the secret of this art. Taught by her father, and with his comsent, Sophia dared to create the glass- but at a very dangerous price. Women were banned from working the glass and anyone discovered of doing so would risk imprisonment or worse. When Zeno is no longer lucid enough to continue his practice, Sophia worked `underground' to keep the business going. Noone knew. Betrothed against her will to the arrogant, cold, poor- but of noble class, Pasquale, Sophia is torn by the thought of what wil happen to her sisters, mother and grandmother if her father passes away. Happiness is only a distant dream...until Teodoro comes into the picture. Will Sophia keep her secret? Will the women in her family end up in convents? Will her soul perish muffled in a life of bondage? What will happen when Zeno dies? The book immediately begins with detailed historical information and luscious descriptions of Venice. Now I know that this can sometimes drag a book, but in my case, I appreciated the details and found it most interesting. I love everything Venetian, and just can't get enough- and this book certainly gave me my fill. I think this is what I loved best about the book. I pictured every single calle and palazzos in my mind. I never knew that there was a golden book listing all the nobles of Venice. Even Veronica Franco makes an appearance! But, best of all- I loved learning the details of the glass making process and all the politics behind it. This truly was a secret world guarded with their lives. THE SECRET OF THE GLASS had me dreaming of Venice. If you're as passionate about the place as I am, you will enjoy reading this tale of romance, picturesque history and the shaping of a great republic ruled by the Doges. And, if you know some Italian, it's a bonus! This book is filled with the language. As for myself though, I was a bit disappointed that in those instances the Veneto dialect wasn't used; which would have given the novel more life and flair. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of Donna Russo Morin's work.

Heroine centric story set in Renaisance Venice

OK- I am a sucker for historical fiction writtent by female authors. These books usually have a heroine on the cover in period costume, facing away from the reader. I like this genre because it mixes a little romance in with the history. This book was much better than the usual fare. The setting was really unique- Venice and Murano (I am so over the Tudor era). The tie in with Gallileo and the telescope was very clever and interesting. The narrative of our heroine Sophia weaves through the political and scientific events. Of course there is a love interest with a HEA ending. The romance here was a little heavier than usual,especially with the somewhat descriptive love scene set in a rainy garden between Sophia and her tall, dark, and handsome hero. If you liked this book, I would also suggest: The Queen's Dollmaker Mistress of Rome

superb historical fiction

In Venice the renowned Murano glassmakers feel the pressure of laws that insist they must remain inside the city and limit females. Zeno Fiolario is one of the best artisans, but his equally talented oldest daughter Sophia must hide her skill serendipitously taught to her by her father or both will be severely punished. When Zeno becomes ill, Sophia as the oldest of his daughters accepts marriage to middle-aged Pasquale da Fuligna, who covets owning the Fiolarios' glass factory. Pasquale brings his fiancée to the Doge's palace, where she meets Galileo. The scientist, in trouble with the Church, commissions her in secret to construct a secret lens for him. Encouraged by her beloved impoverished courier, she creates a glass device to enable long distance sight. However, her association with Galileo places her and her family and beloved in trouble with the papacy. This is a superb historical fiction tale that brings to life the age of Galileo in Venice through the eyes of an illegal Murano glassmaker. Ironically, like Galileo who is in heretic trouble with the Church; Sophia violates the gender restriction law. She learns skill is irrelevant. Readers will relish this strong seventeenth century story as The Secret of the Glass is due to the maker. Harriet Klausner

Marvelous Historical Fiction

During the early 17th century the glassmakers of Murano were revered as master artisans, and as such enjoyed privileges not normally associated with those in trade. However, as highly respected as they were as artisans, they were also kept under surveillance as the Venetian government who did not want others to benefit from trade and the knowledge these craftsmen possessed. Any glassmakers trying to leave with the "secret of the glass' were stopped - some fatally. Sophia Fiolari eldest daughter of the top glassmaker in Venice had shown no interest in marriage, only the marriage of elements in the making of the glass. At the right hand of her father, she has secretly learned the secrets of the glass - secrets that are forbidden to all, especially for a female. As she watches her beloved father's failing health, her happy life is threatened by the unwanted attentions of a penniless noble who needs the wealth Sophia would be bringing into his families empty coffers. Spiraled into the opulent world of the Venetian court, Sophia becomes embroiled in the intrigues of the courtiers' lives, but also discovers love, in the arms of another whose life is in as much of a quagmire as her own. *** Much more than just a romance, Ms. Morin takes the reader on a memorable journey with exquisite prose and vivid mesmerizing historical details. In the SECRET OF THE GLASS, Morin opens up the pages of history and helps the reader to see a view of history as it unfolds; particularly the ability to see behind the contributions and sacrifices scientists and inventors such as Galileo made in order for us to reap the benefits they were persecuted for. Sophia was developed as not only comely and attractive, but with a purposeful mind who fell in love with the magic of making glass. Her love for her father, Zeno and his love for her was remarkable in that by allowing her to both make the glass and know of the secret, he endangered not only Sophia but his entire family. When the notice came from a `noble house' that they were considering Sophia for marriage to the eldest (and only son) it was virtually impossible for her father to not agree as angering a noble would have again put his family in jeopardy. The author showed how Sophia really had no choice but to go along with the arrangement to a man who obviously had no use for her at all; who in fact was no happier over the prospect of marrying Sophia as she was of him. However, for the sake of what Sophia's wealth would allow him, he would go along with the plan. In the midst of the angst of having to marry a man Sophia despised and at last finding a man she could love, Ms. Morin weaves in the political upheavals, between the Vatican and the Doge; the trials and tribulations Galileo faced in persuading the papal powers that the sun did not revolve around the earth; and murder and mayhem as other historical personages fought for power and fame. While light in the romance and sensual aspects, Ms. Mo

Murano glassmaking at it's best

Sophia Fiolario is the daughter of one of the great glassmakers of Murano. The making of the glass is a secret that only the men of Murano are allowed to know or partake in - except one woman knows the secret - Sophia. Sophia is betrothed to marry a man that she despises and who really has no interest in her - except so that he can carry on his own interests. At the same time she falls in love with someone she can't have. As her life starts to spiral out of control, Sophia worries as to what will happen to the glassworks factory and what will happen to her now that she knows the secret... I have to admit that going into this book I had no idea what "the secret" of the glass was, and I was oblivious to it for awhile - although it was fairly obvious now that I look back at it. I loved learning all about how glass was made - I could almost see it happening in my mind (I can make some beautiful glass in my mind). This is the second book in a short time that I have read about artisans - the previous one being The Queen's Dollmaker by Christine Trent. It was enjoyable to read about something other than royalty for a little while. I loved the character of Sophia. I could feel all of her emotions and desires. I also was fascinated by her love interest, Teodoro - she picked a good one all right! The characters were very well developed - even the minor characters. I also enjoyed how Galileo was a prominent character, without being the main character. I found him very likeable and it encouraged me to look up a little more about him (someone I didn't care too much about in school). There were a couple of small issues I had with this book. I wished the ending had a little more to it. Don't get me wrong, I was very happy with the twist at the end, but I wish there was a little bit more after the twist. I felt like it ended a little abruptly. I also would have liked a little more explanation regarding this mysterious illness that Galileo had that affected him frequently - I'm a little perplexed about that one. Overall, I very much enjoyed this book. This strengthened my enjoyment of books that focus on the more obscure characters.