I usually love a Tracy Chevalier book but this one has me umming and ahhing. I think my first problem was that I thought I had read it before, after a lot of digging I think the book I read was 'The Glassblower of Murano' - nothing special but it had gone over the history of glass, Venice and the plague so I was not learning anything new.

My second issue was the weird time jumps - how can all of those that she love or interact with not age like everyone else, does no one notice? Can she sell the secret to some beauty cream manufacturer - she could provide the lovely glass jars.

My third issue was the ramming home of the plague/COVID similarity. Before I realised that there were going to be time jumps I read the plague section and thought 'yes, I know how you feel, locked in your house, desperate for human interaction'. I mulled upon this and carried on reading. Then when the odd time stuff happened I thought 'I know where you are going with this - COVID'. I then spent the rest of the book waiting for no one's favourite pandemic to bash it's way into the plot. Perhaps it is all too soon, perhaps as a way of dealing with trauma I just don't want to relive COVID, but because of the publishing cycle the miserable virus is featuring in so many books at the moment and all I can glean from them was that it was a pretty miserable time for everyone.

Ah Chevalier, it's been too long.
How lovely to have you back!
An engaging look at the lives/history of muranese glassmakers, that I knew nothing about. For that, I feel I've learnt something.
Full of excellent characters, and realistic struggles.
This book covers a lot, with its interesting use of time.
Really enjoyable, though I felt the ending was speedy.
Didn't stop me enjoying the whole thing though.
Excellent stuff.

Wow! What a book.
I love Chevalier's historical fiction, especially the ones that recentre facts around strong female characters. The absolute joy of this book was that our main character didn't have to become superhuman/break moulds completely but was revolutionary in the way that she did everything by being completely faithful to the times lived in and the industry she worked in.

This book has a fabulous sense of place, you definitely walk/boat around Murano and Venice with Orsola and her family - the sights, sounds and smells are beautifully evoked and if I shut my eyes the book lived in my imagination.

I very much liked the device Chevalier used to move time forward, it meant that great swathes of history could be moved through without having to also get to grips with a whole new cast and then also it showed how timeless the glass industry and Venice are.

Definitely one of my top reads of the year,

Based on the story of a family of glassmakers on the island of Murano, just a short journey by gondola from bustling, extravagant Venice, Tracy Chevalier is nothing if not ambitious in the scope of her latest novel, ‘The Glassmaker’. Using the image of a bouncing, skimming stone over water, she asks us to imagine that every time the stone touches down, the narrative moves forward in time. In this way she covers hundreds of years as she details life on Murano, the changing fashions of the glassware, and the ways in which external events influence an artisanal way of life.
However, whilst the centuries move on, the Rosso family age only slightly so that we remain with the same central characters whether it be 1486 or 1786. As Chevalier muses in her prologue, ‘How would you know if all the clocks in one place moved at a different speed from elsewhere? Or if the artisans of the City of water and the Island of Glass seem to be ageing more slowly that the world beyond?’
‘The Glassmaker’ is likely to interest those who are interested to view the history of Venice from a singular perspective, through the eyes of a working class family. The author’s depiction of the plague years is vivid and terrifying, not just in the description of the masked plague doctor and the horrific buboes but in the fear and utter hopelessness of the situation. Of course, the Rosso family situation resonates with experience of our most recent viral epidemic: isolation, harsh edicts, rudimentary goodbyes, experimental medication seem to be part of the plague experience in any era.
Nevertheless, overall, this novel did not grip me in the way that some of Chevalier’s past works have done. The ‘time machine’ device got in the way of the depiction and development of character. For example, Orsola Rosso clearly does grow older over time but I was not convinced that she was a woman shaped by the time in which she lived as each iteration was introduced.
My thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.

I loved this book so much I don’t think a review could do it justice. Venice truly came alive in its pages and Orsola’s story gripped me more than I would have imagined possible. I loved the way that the author played with time, hundreds of years passing for the world but only a few for the key players in the story. The relationships were so keenly drawn and so believable. I feel bereft now it’s finished.

The Glassmaker by Tracy Chevalier
I have read almost all of Tracy Chevalier’s novels and loved each onebut this one is one of my favourites. It is set around Murano in Italy and as with many of her books focuses on a craft, this time glassmaking. Having recently taken part in glassmaking sessions and created blown glass objects I could really relate to her descriptions of the glass workshops.
She has used an interesting idea here of writing the story over 6 centuries but remaining focused on the same characters. She simply moves them forward in time; through this technique we are able to see all the changes which occurred in Murano we see the impact of the Plague, the importance of Venice as a trading port, the arrival of the Austrians and then Napoleon. We see the impact of the First World War on the family and on glassmaking and then finally we are brought forward to the effects of Covid.
We meet Orsola, the main character, when she is a young girl. She is pushed into the water by her brother and her mother sends her into the glass workshop of one of their rivals. She is ostensibly there to dry off but she is also instructed to find out as much as she can while she is there. She encounters a female bead maker who is to have a profound effect upon her life.
This is a stunning novel and one which I did not want to put down. I wanted to put everything else on hold whilst I immersed myself in the life of the glassmakers. I truly felt as if I had travelled through time and encountered all of these characters. Remarkable!
I will be recommending this book to everyone at my various book groups. I would like to thank Tracy Chevalier, the publishers and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Tracy Chevalier's "The Glassmaker" is like a time-traveling adventure that pulls you into the world of the Rosso family, a clan of glassmakers in 15th-century Venice. Chevalier presents a brilliant portrait of a woman, a family, and a city bound together by their shared passion for glass. 


Orsola Rosso, the eldest daughter, is a force to be reckoned with. She's determined to keep her family's glassmaking legacy alive, despite the challenges she faces as a woman in a male-dominated craft. Throughout the many years, she emerges as a maestra in her own right, carving out a space for herself amidst tradition and innovation as well as the urge for survival. But at its core, this book is all about family. You'll get to know the Rossos inside out—each generation facing its own set of challenges and victories.


What sets this novel apart is Chevalier's ingenious concept of "glass time," a magical element that allows the narrative to span centuries effortlessly. This clever twist adds a fascinating dimension to the story, offering glimpses into different eras and the evolving art of glassmaking.


And how about Chevalier's writing? It's like she's painting with words, describing the colours, the craft, and the whole shebang of glassmaking. Apparently, the topic of glassmaking was suggested to the author by one of her readers, and rightfully so. Chevalier's meticulous research and vivid prose bring the world of glassmaking to life, offering readers a glimpse into the intricate process and artistry involved. Much like her acclaimed work "Girl with a Pearl Earring," Chevalier's descriptions are detailed and immersive, making the reader feel as though they are witnessing the creation of glass art firsthand.

Reading "The Glassmaker" was a sensory experience unlike any other. Chevalier's descriptions were so vivid that I found myself reaching for a necklace I had purchased years ago in Venice, yearning to feel the Murano glass once more.

So, if you're up for a ride through time, filled with family drama, artistic flair, and a touch of magic, you should definitely read “The Glassmaker”.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of this book.

Hmmm - I have enjoyed all of Tracy Chevalier’s earlier novels and I think she is an amazing author but for me the time-travel aspect of this book just didn’t work. The story of Orsola and her family in Murano is captivating and the glass-making tradition is explained beautifully. The writing is beautiful and the characters leap off the page - I just don’t feel that the leaps forward in time are necessary and the fact that the main characters only age by 9 or 10 years when the rest of the world is moving forward by decades jars with me. All in all a strange book which sadly did not meet my expectations.

'The City of Water runs by it's own clock' and so we meet the marvellous Orsola Rosso in Renaissance Murano, and follow her and her Rosso family 's lives, into the modern era via plague (and later COVID) , love, loss, wars, heartbreak and of course glass-making. This is a glittering treasure of a book. A love letter to a place and to being creative and how both make time seem to stand slow down. Tracy Chevalier writes with brilliance and skill creating a richly described immersive world. There are a lot of characters and time shifts which in another writer's hands would be overwhelming or confusing, but in Chevalier's it creates an interconnected story of Venice from past to present told through the prism of one family of glassmakers.

Another wonderful Tracy Chevalier novel so beautifully written.Her characters Venice glasswork,time travel all combine to make a mesmerizing read.#netgalley #harperuk

A classic Chevalier weaving meticulous research with an epic tale of love and loss set in Venice, where the use of time travel seamlessly suits the magic of the lagoon city.

1486, Venice and a beautifully woven tale of a family of glass makers living on the island of Murano, where the most famous glass of the time was produced.. Orsola is born into the Rossi family, who live and work there, the men working with glass, while women do everything else, not even allowed in the same room where the glass is handled, But Orsola is different, she will keep the family alive through the years, as they face all the twists and turns of the centuries. Time is skipped, like a stone over water, stopping at various points in history, with the residents of. Murano aging differently to the rest of terra ferma. We learn all about how glass was made, how fashions for it change and the magic of Murano itself. A complex family dynamic that subtly changes over the years, as the Islanders age slowly and differently to the rest of the world.
A fascinating study of the eras the family lives through, with a love story that also lasts over the centuries. I loved the final twist of the story, but my only criticism would be that the final ‘skip’ felt a bit rushed, but what an amazing read, from a unique perspective. Highly recommended. 4 1/2⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

What a beautiful book cover, taking you immediately into a world set on water. It's a fascinating, timeless story of the Rossi family, living in Venice in or around 1486. Orsola Rossi flouts all the rules and works secretly as a glassmaker, not normally allowed as a woman's career.. We move with her through the centuries, learning of love and loss, plague and war, and triumph. It is a vividly written book that keeps you wondering what can possibly happen next.
Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read this book.

In "The Glassmaker," Tracey Chevalier skillfully weaves together different time periods while keeping the characters at a consistent age. This approach offers a captivating exploration of identity and history, prompting readers to reflect on how individuals maintain their core selves amidst changing circumstances. Chevalier's unique narrative technique adds depth to the story, making it both engaging and thought-provoking. I loved it for its creativity and the way it seamlessly blended historical fiction with character-driven storytelling.

The novel tells the captivating story of a family of glassmakers from Murano, whose lives are intricately connected to the fascinating history of Venice and because on Murano, the passage of time takes on a dreamlike quality, as if the island exists in its own temporal dimension.

In this saga, we follow the journey of Orsola Rossi and her extended family, highlighting the challenges they face and the triumphs they achieve.

The traditional glassmaking business is handed down through generations of men, while women are confined to domestic duties. However, when the business begins to decline, Orsola bravely takes up the production of glass beads, enabling necessary support for her family and granting her newfound independence and empowerment. It is worth noting that Maria Barovier played a crucial role in pioneering the creation of exquisite beads.

Throughout the novel, the family endures a series of ups and downs, experiencing love, tragedy, and illness. These events are intricately intertwined with the historical backdrop of Venice. From the discovery of new trade routes to Asia and the New World to the decline of Venice as a trading center and its transformation into a tourist hub, the story encapsulates the city's rich past. It portrays the devastating effects of plagues, the invasions of Napoleon, and the subsequent deterioration under Austrian rule. The great floods and the encroaching sea are also depicted, posing significant challenges to the city's survival. Nevertheless, Venice remains nimble and adapts, relying on its timeless beauty and uniqueness to attract admirers.

Symbolism abounds in this novel, such as the glass dolphins that embody the passionate love between Orsola and Antonio.

Tracy Chevalier, a master storyteller, effortlessly crafts a mesmerizing narrative.

Her vibrant characters and evocative descriptions transport readers to the enchanting world of glass workshops and the picturesque canals of Venice.

This is an uplifting read that comes highly recommended.

I really struggled with this book. I was attracted by the synopsis, which sounded perfect for me, but I had a real problem with the manipulation of the timeline, it just didn’t gel for me, unfortunately. I get what the author was trying to do, I think, but it detracted from the narrative for me, and spoiled its authenticity.
The subject matter, glassmaking in Murano, should have been fascinating, but often became buried in so much minute detail and description about the process, the Italian names for each person and their role in the procedure of glass making, that I lost the thread of the story. The addition of Italian phrases and dialogue, with no additional translation, also interrupted the flow of the narrative. I know there is a glossary, but when reading in an e-reader, it is so clumsy to have to keep coming out of the book to find out what a sentence actually means. It felt like an arrogance by the author, that she should assume that all her readers would have enough knowledge of Italian to translate for themselves.
I only reached a third of the way through this book before I had to give up, sadly.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this book.

Wow! Yet another wonderful book. I have always been a fan of Tracey’s work but I think The Glassmaker is the best one yet. A quirky time travel background mixed with realistic characters make for a great read.

I’m struggling to know how to review this book, on the one hand I absolutely loved it, it’s classic Chevalier, this time with her beautiful crafted descriptions of glassmaking, the Island of Murano and Venice. Her characters are well developed and the storyline draws you in and pulls you along. On the other hand the play with the timeline just didn’t work for me and the ending felt rushed and confusing.

The book centres on Orsola Rosso and her family who are Murano glassmakers, it spans 6 centuries, covering significant periods in world history and how they affect the family, the history of glassmaking and Murano itself. For me this is where it felt problematic, because as the timeline shifted, the age of the characters did not. If I hadn’t been so invested in Orsola Rosso and entranced by Chevalier’s beautiful writing I probably wouldn’t have finished the book. This is going to be a marmite book I think!

A spell binding book where time does not matter. We follow Orsola Rosso, a beadmaker from Murano, and her family over 500 years. An interesting foray into glassmaking and Italian life.

Tracy Chevalier is one of the best writers of historical fiction currently working and her latest, The Glassmaker, is no disappointment. Centred around Murano, the island which produces most of the glass that Venice is famed for, the story stretches over 6 centuries but retains the same central characters throughout.

Orsola is part of the Rosso family of glassmakers and becomes involved herself as the maker of glass beads to help the family economically. Chevalier uses the very clever plot device of imagining time working differently in Murano, with the image of a stone skimming down on water at different points in times which are particularly significant to the area, such as the height of Venice’s trading past, the arrival of the plague, Napoleon, the First World War and Covid. The same family are there and hardly aging between any of the events and it’s a beautiful way of expressing how the craft has stayed largely unchanged over the centuries and despite whatever is happening around it.

The detail given of how the glassmaking is carried out is perfectly balanced, very informative but never getting bogged down. Tracy Chevalier does so much research but also seems to actively try the craft herself and that really adds to the knowledge displayed. All the characters and relationships are well developed and feel real, with nobody either entirely perfect or completely flawed. The women are particularly strong and resourceful, taking centre stage for most of the book and adapting to what is happening around them in whatever way they can to ensure their family survives.

As always, Chevalier’s writing is beautiful and you’re completely transported to the place and various times. I loved this book, it really did feel like flowing through the waves of time to somewhere that is so different to anywhere else and where anything seems possible. Truly wonderful.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in return for an honest review.