Fiorato intertwines exciting and vivid stories set in Renaissance and modern Venice about Leonora and Leonora’s famous ancestor, Corradino. Leonora feels disillusioned after a bitter divorce. She also doesn’t think that her career – Leonora is a glassblower – is going anywhere. She is anxious to discover the secret about her ancestor, who was also a glassblower so she decides to travel to his home, Venice.
The Glassblower of Murano Combines Two Stories
Here Leonora gets a job glassblowing and meets a handsome young policeman. Leonora’s journey of discovery becomes very exciting as she searches ancient libraries and employs a knowledgeable professor to help her. Everything appears to be going well until she learns that her ancestor may have been a traitor…
Corradino’s story is also mysterious. When his family annoys The Ten, the governors of Venice, they are killed. Corradino is saved but he must hide and disguise himself. When he falls in love with the beautiful daughter of an aristocrat who has arranged another marriage for her he is in even more trouble. He has the chance to escape but this involves using his talents to benefit another country. Will he do this?
Fiorato captures the atmosphere of modern and 16th century Venice. Her Renaissance Venice is suitably dark and gloomy, but she also portrays the sumptuous, luxurious life of the aristocrats with their splendid palaces and clothes of velvet and brocade.
The Glassblower's Setting In Beautiful Venice
She describes modern Venice well, with its crowded streets in summer and fading beauty.
Fiorato also writes about glassblowing in great detail and makes it easy for the reader to imagine the difficulty of the profession. Her words express the beauty of the Murano glass objects that her two main characters make in loving detail.
The author also holds the suspense in both of her stories and her villains are suitably intimidating. Corradino has to fight against very evil, Machavellian characters. Leonora has two enemies – a fellow employee and a rival for her boyfriend’s affections.
Fiorato's main characters, Leonora and Corradino, are both engaging and sympathetic. The reader can easily identify with their concerns. Both of their love stories are also very moving, especially Leonora’s.
Fiorato's Italian Background Lends Authenticity To The Glassblower
The Italian background of the talented author, who is also an artist herself, adds authenticity to her depiction of the Italian characters and history. Her details about the idiosyncracies of Italians and the differences between Italians of different regions are more elements which add to the enjoyment of the novel.
This novel is definitely recommended for anyone who enjoys reading historical novels
Marina Fiorato, The Glassblower of Murano, Beautiful Books, London, 2008
