I was completely absorbed by Tracy Chevalier’s latest book- reading till late and reaching for it again early this morning! I loved the way the narrative span through time but yet I didn’t need to be introduced to new characters in each new period- this was a totally new technique to me -an incredibly interesting and neat approach to the passing by of the centuries within a place. Glassmaking, Murano and Venice as well as Orsola and her family are the common threads weaving throughout. .

I loved the central character and her extended circle. I enjoyed their relationships, sorrows and successes. There is a lot of sadness contained within- but plenty to celebrate too- as you’d expect in a story that spans centuries yet all within one person’s lifetime.

The ending was great and not quite what I had thought was coming- perfect fit though.

A brilliant book by an incredible author. My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC to review.

Thank you to Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for my pre publication digital copy of this book. I’ve enjoyed a few of Tracy Chevalier’s previous books and this one as no exception. A good read for you if you enjoy well researched historical fiction in beautiful settings, Venice for this one.
I loved the characters in the Rosso family, especially Orsola who is the main character. I absolutely loved learning more about the history of Murano glass, and could imagine myself watching the glass makers at work. One thing I couldn’t wrap my head around was the time hopping element of the book, it just didn’t vibe well for me, otherwise I’d have given 5 stars.
A recommended read.

I cannot tell you how much I loved this book. Tracy Chevalier at her absolute best. I was immediately and utterly lost in the world she created on Murano and loved the way she worked through different historical periods that were of such importance to the history of Venice. A book that thoroughly transported me into that of a glassmaking family, their history, the romance, the tragedy – just everything! This book will remain a firm favourite and one I will return to again and again. Cannot recommend more highly. Perfection!

I am a huge fan of Chevalier ( I think I have read every one of her novels) and this was a much anticipated read for me. And I loved it. It's beautifully researched but that doesn't overwhelm the writing. Descriptive and evocative, it draws the reader in to the world of Murano and Venice. At first I wasn't convinced by the time jumps but by the end I could see how it drew the entire story together.

I loved it. Highly recommend.

I have mixed feelings about this latest book by Tracy Chevalier: On the one hand I appreciated the exquisite writing and the setting. Having recently been to Murano it was wonderful to be able to immerse myself in the descriptions of the island and Venice beyond. Equally,I was interested to read about the glass blowing.However, I didn’t enjoy the style of the narrative.The time travel was cleverly done but wasn’t for me and I did feel that much of the story was recounting the events-first she did this then she did that-when I wanted to be more engaged with the protagonist, Orsola.

Perhaps I might reread this when it is out in real book form . w
With thanks to NetGalley and Viking for this ARC

I have always loved Tracy Chevalier’s writing and was looking forward to this new novel with much anticipation. Unfortunately whilst I enjoyed leaning about the glass making industry on Murano and the Rosso family story I just couldn’t get my head around the time jump element. For me it added nothing to the story and and made the book longer than necessary.

A transporting and absorbing story, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Tracy Chevalier has clearly spent so much time researching the glass-making process, as well as a potted history of Venice and its surrounding islands.

Orsola Rosso is the eldest daughter in a family of glassmakers. As a woman she isn’t meant to work with glass, but glassmaking is in her blood and she soon discovers she has a skill for crafting delicate glass beads. When her father dies, this talent comes into its own as she is able to earn some extra money to support her family.

So begins this time-travelling journey through the lives of the Rosso family. It sounds like an odd premise if I say that the book spans 600 years in history, but only the lives of one generation, but the author does such a brilliant job of making it make sense. I think the timelessness of Venice helps to make this unusual structure work. It never feels forced or contrived, and it doesn’t jar in the way you might expect.

I really enjoyed this novel, and was so drawn in to the world of Orsola and her glass. The descriptions of Venice make you feel like you’re there, and the meticulous research helps you come away with a much deeper knowledge of both Murano glassmaking and the history of this truly unique part of the world.

Absolutely wonderful - a treasure of a journey in Murano and Venice through history - by means of a skimmed stone! This is the story of Orsola Rosso and her Murano glassmaking family, through the ages.
We meet Orsola as a young girl in 1486 at the height of the Renaissance and when Venice is the trade centre of Europe. She is frustrated that females can't be part of the glassmaking workshop of her family, due to customs, rules and tradition. She has 2 brothers, the oldest of whom will succeed their father as Maestro. All the Murano glassmaking families protect their trade, methods and design secrets from each other but when a family tragedy hits, Orsola gets help from an unexpected source.
The stone skims and we travel a hundred years into the future - everyone Orsola knows goes with her (which leaves a huge load of questions if we're being logical, but go with it - it's time travel after all!) So many lovely stories, tragic stories, love, duty, adaptability, family and loyalty - there's lots covered but I don't want to give anything away. Suffice to say, I was captivated by this book and can't wait to buy it for friends - I don't want them missing out on this one!

This book has history, time bending, fantastical slants, family politics, and a bit of romance - and I loved it. While it may sound odd to follow the same cast from 1486 to the present day it worked really well. Imagine you’re settling into hear a fable - it’s a bit fantastical, a bit magical - but sumptuously written and set in such a gorgeous part of Italy that you almost feel as though you are the stone, skipping across Venetian waters.

My favourite part of this novel was the characters - how time changes them (or doesn’t change them) and how that bleeds together with the changing times around them.

A fantastic read and one I highly recommend for anyone who likes novels that play with the idea of time.

‘Time runs differently in the City of Water’ conceit, and overdone detail, get in the way somewhat. 3.5 rating

Although I do always appreciate Chevalier’s writing and focus, I definitely find that in SOME of her novels, her prodigious research and attention to using massive amounts of that detail in an almost over-articulated way, can get in the way of character and narrative drive.

And so it was here.

The conceit of ‘time runs differently’ on Murano, the island off Venice where historically the glassmakers lived and worked, and in Venice itself had some stumbling blocks, for the reader – well, for this one. We stay with the same Rossi family from the tail end of the 15th century, right up to after the end of the recent pandemic – i.e, the book ends ‘today’ and somehow the characters we meet in 1486 have only aged by some 50 or 60 years.

Some characters seem to have a more developed sense of ‘memory’ of time before than others, and yet, curiously, -particularly when travellers from ‘outside’ Venice comes in, no one talks about their memories of 400 years ago, and the Venetians and Muranese don’t seem to realise that they are living across many centuries. Maybe I was being too prosaic in my reading. Maybe it was the fact that the desire to lay out all the finicky detail of the art and craft of glassmaking, plus the extensive scattering of Italian and Venetian phrases throughout the text were continually pulling me out of story and character immersion.

I did like, very much, though, the ending which explained one particular piece of the ‘time runs differently’ idea which had been a massive, massive flaw for me, all way through. THAT raised my pernickety rating from 3.5 to 4

I loved this book, A fan of this author anyway and enjoy the way she writes historical fiction! This one really appealed to me because I collect glass fish so loved the background information of how this process started and the highs and lows of the business ! This book was very informative, interesting with a an excellent back story!

This is such an enjoyable read!

I absolutely love historical fiction set in Italy in general and Venice in particular so this really was a treat.

Following the Rosso family of glassmakers across 600 years or so, The Glassmaker brings us a cast of engaging characters, vivid descriptions of Murano and Venice and a fascinating insight into glassmaking

I wasn’t sure about the time skip element before I picked this up and having finished it I’m still not sure but the writng and the story are so good that I could almost ‘park’ that and just enjoy.

It has evidently taken a huge amount of research but the story never feels heavy with it - the mark of a talented author

Huge thanks to Harper Collins & Netgalley for the chance to read an early copy

A Luminous Journey Through Time - Tracy Chevalier’s “The Glassmaker” is a captivating masterpiece that weaves a spellbinding tale across centuries. It’s more than historical fiction; it’s a shimmering tapestry that transports you from the heart of the Renaissance to the modern world.

Chevalier’s brilliance lies in her ability to craft a narrative that seamlessly blends the past and present. We follow the Rosso family, Venetian glassmakers, as their legacy unfolds against the backdrop of a breathtaking city. From the 16th century’s bustling workshops to the contemporary art scene, the novel paints a vivid picture of Murano and Venice, their opulence and intrigue coming alive in every scene.

The details are nothing short of magical. Chevalier’s descriptions of the glassmaking process are mesmerizing. You’ll feel the heat of the furnace, witness the molten glass dance in the artisans’ hands, and marvel at the exquisite creations that emerge. The sights, sounds, and even the smells of Venice are brought to life in such rich detail, you’ll feel like you’re walking its labyrinthine streets alongside the characters.

But “The Glassmaker” is more than just a visual feast. It’s a story brimming with heart. The characters, especially the strong female leads, are unforgettable. We root for them as they navigate the challenges of a male-dominated world, their struggles for artistic expression resonating deeply. The novel explores themes of family legacy, artistic passion, and the enduring power of love, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned.

If you’re looking for a novel that’s both intellectually stimulating and emotionally engaging, “The Glassmaker” is a must-read. Chevalier has outdone herself, crafting a story that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

SIMPLY EXCEPTIONAL! Chevalier just draws me in every time with her beautiful story-telling, incredible research, and credible characters. I loved every page and couldn't wait to get back to Orsola and her life every night. The author manages to weave the historical research so well into the story-line to create a lovely balance. I thought the timeline switch was interesting and it tied in really well with the ending.
An incredible book that I will definitely be recommending

Centuries and centuries of life. From 1400s to 2020s. There is a catch. We follow Rosso family. They are in glass making and the catch is about this family - there is something unique about them.
Orsola is a member of the Rosso family, who is multi-dimensional.
Pros: the historical context, the sociocultural aspects, the resilience of Orsola, the glassmaking element (I love it)
The prose is 3.5 stars.
The ending is 3.5 stars.
The pacing and the structure 3 stars.
3.5 stars rounded up. This book will be a hit.

A great family saga covering 500 years of history. The book is so well-written that I felt transported to Venice and Murano.
An outstanding work of historical fiction.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc. All opinions are my own.

Orsola Rosso is born into a glassmaking family in Murano, Venice, in the 1400s. Women aren’t meant to work with glass, but Orsola is determined, working in secret, perfecting her creations, aiming for acceptance.

The story skips like a stone through the years, taking us through wars, plague, love and tragedy. Although each period of history was interesting, I wasn’t sold on the stone-skipping device. There’s no denying this is a fascinating book though - I learned a tons about glassmaking and Murano. The characters are well-shaped and I was sucked into their world. An inventive and immersive novel.

Published 12 September 2024. What a gorgeous read! I'm not really into historical fiction but I do tend to pick up the odd novel based around Venice - a place I adore. We are in 1486 and we have the Rosso family - glassmakers in Murano. Our main focus is Orsola, the daughter of the family. Women are not meant to work with glass, their job is the home, but Orsola flouts convention. And then Tracy Chevalier bends time in a way that is so original - I don't recall coming across anything like it before. She uses the image of a stone skimming over the lagoon and stopping in different periods of history - periods that are significant in the story of Venice. We have the plague, Napoleon, the First World War to name three. But - Orsola and the Rossos do not age in the same way. Centuries can pass but Orsola and her family may only have aged 15 years. In this way we see not only the history of glass, how production methods and styles changed, but we also see how the glassmakers had to bend with the changing times. A wonderful concept. The characterisations are well drawn - the women are strong characters and it is fascinating to see them adapting to the different centuries. And Venice itself - and Murano - is another character and we watch its changing face. A wonderful novel.

This book started off ok and I became interested in the storyline set in medieval Venice. As the book progressed though and it became clear that the characters would live on and age slowly (without any explanation why) the story became more contrived as the centuries progressed and the world changed around the cast. I lost interest in the story which felt like a contrived way of telling the story of glassmaking in Venice, with the characters as mere props.

I’ve admired and enjoyed Chevalier’s previous novels and this did not disappoint. Orsola is a wonderful protagonist and I loved spending time in her company. The magic realist element - that she and her family on Murano age more slowly and live through centuries - took a little adjustment and it puzzled me that they don’t ever seem conscious of this or refer to it. However, the scope this allowed, in terms of learning about Venetian history, more than compensated for this slight niggle. The language is beautiful and the detailed descriptions were immersive and rich.