An exquisitely penned story set in stunning Murano Italy in the 1400s. The story follows Orsola, the daughter of a Murano glassmaker, as she attempts to undertake breadmaking in the world of glass dominated by men. The narrative follows ordinary time for much of Orsola's youth, taking her through the time of Plague, then we see her age only a few years, but time has jumped on by decades. chevalier plays with time using the analogy of a skimming stone jumping across the surface of water. It allows us the opportunity to watch the women of the family adapt to the changing outside world, with visits from the infamous Casanova, the introduction of the novel, world war, travel and the influx of tourism, the Covid pandemic, and much more all impacting the family. Written in such beautiful language, this book is a joy to read. The audiobook version captures this beauty with Juliet Aubrey capturing the voice and heart of the family..#theglassmaker #tracychevalier #netgalley #audiobook

Thank you to net galley and the author for providing me with a copy of The Glassmaker. This book was different to my usual reads and I originally picked it up as it was in the fantasy section however I would say it is mostly historical fiction with a slight fantasy twist. Despite this, this book was very much worth reading. I loved that it followed the same character and her family and friends throughout the history of Murano glass making and through many important historical events spanning 500 years.

The writing style and narration was excellent and beautifully executed, really engaging and vivid. I loved that the book included the social changes and the role of women across the years and the range in views of Orsola compared to other characters, providing a story rich in emotion and important messages throughout.

Although we don’t get a huge level of detail in some centuries I think this worked perfectly to condense and highlight the more important parts of the history of glass in a really understandable and enjoyable way which I found to be much more palatable for those with less knowledge on this topic (me).

Really interesting and beautifully written and narrated story - definitely worth reading for those who enjoy historical fiction and who are looking for something a bit different.

At 14 hours and 22 minutes long, this audiobook is a commitment. However when you consider it covers 500 years of history, it doesn’t seem that long at all.

Tracy Chevalier has written a history of Venice, Murano and the craft of glassmaking, starting in 1486 and ending in the present day. She has played with time and slowed it down for her characters; we see all five centuries through the eyes of Orsola Rosso and her family and friends.

It is impeccably researched and we are able to see the impact major historical, political and natural events have had on Venice and the development of glassmaking. It is a fascinating insight, with appearances from a few real life historical figures, which I always enjoy.

Orsola Rosso is a fantastic character. A woman determined to make her way in a man’s world but a woman who is loyal to her family and the traditions of her ancestors. Although her story is not always a happy one, it is one of determination and accomplishment.

I loved being immersed in the bubble of Murano and Venice; imagining myself taking a gondola ride and treating myself to some Rosso beads. This book reads like a love letter to the unique city of islands - a truly wonderful and magical read.

Strange time-slip idea but a great historical novel.

I didn't understand why Chevalier has her protagonist and family move through the centuries barely ageing, continuing their story and work but through multiple centuries.

Okay, so the glassmaker got to interact with famous historical figures, but I thought the story held up on its own as a period piece without this strange fantastical element, which was also a little confusing.

Orsola is born into a glassmaking family in the 1400s, on the island of Murano near Venice. Her whole family and existence are destined for this occupation, with Orsola herself taking on the task of bead making after her father's early death, and the brother now in charge very condescending about her money-making work.

The story then follows the adolescent Orsola through the horrific Plague times, with death and starvation risked each day, out through the other side to a love affair that then leads Orsola and her family to their various possible futures.

We see the growth and prosperity through the story of not just one life and family but the glass-making industry in Venice, which is one thing the longevity of the plot allows for, the societal changes over time. Women play roles that grow in importance, both economically and culturally.

I didn't think I would be as taken with this as I was, though I really didn't like the time-slip scenario. I felt for Orsola, I enjoyed her meeting certain historical personages (no spoilers here) and learning a lot about her intimate glass work and the importance of it to trade and tourism.

Fascinating story. An enjoyable audiobook to follow.

With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample audio copy.

Time moves differently on the iItalian island of Murano, where exquisite glass pieces are created. Our story starts in 1486 and Orsola Rosso will defy convention and learn to work with glass. With her we will skip through time to the present day, experiencing her life, her trials, her loves and losses.

A beautifully well written and well narrated novel (I listened to the audiobook). The characters and the pace of the novel are brilliant. The love of Murano is central and the love of the glass produced there unending. Follow the family and trade across the centuries.

This is an intriguing novel, set on the islands of the Venetian lagoon. Themes include the role of women in society, the craft of glassmaking, and the impact of plague or pandemic. The plot spans many centuries with the same main characters throughout - magic realism which seems more real than magic. I was captivated by the plot and the prose. The audiobook, beautifully narrated by Juliet Aubrey, is excellent, and strongly recommended.

I’m really conflicted on how to rate this one, because on one hand, I can see what the author was trying to do and I think she did a really good job at executing it… but on the other hand, the result was nearly-but-not-quite what I enjoy from historical fiction (fiction in general) so I was gritting my teeth like, I could really love this book if it was written any other way, but to see this authorial skill applied to these choices was more irritating than if it had just been badly written.

This has the pacing of a literary book, rather than commercial historical fiction. This means that there isn’t much of a climax that the story is building towards, and the stakes stay consistent the whole way through - will the Rosso glassmaking business survive? The only thing that changes is the external pressure on the business throughout history, from the plague to unreliable commissions to the shifting politics of war. But because of this, I got frustrated that the story didn’t really seem to be progressing, and the last quarter kind of fizzled out (although the very end was a touching way to finish, I did like that.) I don’t know, I’ve got lots of problems with the book that I can’t really put into words. But I also didn’t want to DNF. It was great, but also annoying. I very conflicted.

I listened to the audiobook of The Glassmaker by Tracy Chevalier. Set in Murano, Venice in the 1400s Orsolo Rosso is a young woman from a glassmaking family who learns to become a glass bead maker in order to help financially through hard times .This sweeping novel is beautiful and transports you to Murano during the plague right through to the pandemic in the present day. So cleverly written and thoroughly researched this is a joy to listen to narrated by Juliet Aubrey who brings the world of Orsolo to us. She brings the setting of Venice to life I enjoyed learning about the glassmaking industry and found myself googling murano glass beads which are absolutely stunning. Highly recommended for being swept away into an Italian historical world. Thank you Harper Collins and NetGalley for my copy.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tracy Chevalier for ARC copies of both the digital and the audio books. As is usual with books by this author, I became engrossed from page 1 and switched between reading and listening depending what I was doing at the time - the perfect combination. The narrator is marvellous.

The book was very interesting from an educational point of view and a great deal of research has been done to make the story as authentic as possible. The story itself was engrossing and I quickly fell into feeling that I knew and lived with the characters and their experiences and back stories. I recommend both types of media here and eagerly await what I’m sure will become a film version of the book.

I’m always excited when Tracy Chevalier has a new book out and I couldn’t wait to hear this one. . This is an unusual style in some ways for the author and I admit when the time skimming was first introduced I wasn’t sure how it would work but it wasn’t an issue at all and seamlessly drew the saga out. Yes there were huge world events barely mentioned but enough of the most relevant history was clear. A family saga with surprising characters who don’t all behave as they should and the research into glassmaking must have taken months.
So all that said it still wasn’t my favourite by Chevalier by a long way. I felt the subject matter wasn’t thrilling or even at times very interesting. The issues of the day that she covers were huge in their own right and yet seemed a bit hurried over. So a four star review from me and I’m still eagerly awaiting her next offering.
I thought the narrator was excellent and loved to hear her read the Italian bits despite not understanding what she was saying.

Tracy Chevalier had taken the concept of historic fiction combined it with time travel and created a story so spectacular that I’m stunned for words. As the glassblowers are the maestro of their craft Chevalier is a maestro in fiction.

The Glassmaker is a guided passage through the history of Murano and Venice taken by the hand of Orsola Rosso. We begin in 1486 and end up in modern day, the journey included all of the highs and lows and changes the world has seen in those years.

The novel is ambitious and imaginative and my god it pays off, thee are truly no words I could ever write that would do it justice.

I was mesmerised.

All the stars 🌟
#Jorecommends

My thanks to Harper Collins Audio and NetGalleyfir this ELC.

Listened to this on audiobook, very good narrator. Set in Murano in the 15th Century initially, it follows a family of glassmakers from then to the present day. A very interesting read, definitely recommend

I love love the book and the story and I could talk endlessly about it, but the narrator was not fit for the story in my opinion. It’s not what I had in my head for this one.

The audiobook for the Glassmaker takes the listener in to an enthralling and enchanting world where time moves much more slowly but its impact is no less devastating to the families caught up in a changing world. The book begins in a time of plague and ends with the modern equivalent of Covid, moving with the main characters through successes and failures, sacrifices and joy as technological advances, changes in fashion and culture and wars make their impact on a family who make their living through the creation of glass.
A wonderful story which was enhanced by excellent narration

"The Glassmaker" by Tracy Chevalier is an absolute gem, and I can’t help but rave about my experience while listening to this remarkable audiobook narrated by the talented Juliet Aubrey. From the moment I hit play, I was whisked away to the enchanting world of Renaissance Venice, specifically the mystical island of Murano where glassblowing is more than just a craft—it's an art form steeped in history and tradition.
Our fiercely determined protagonist Orsola Rosso is a breath of fresh air in a world that seeks to confine women to traditional roles. Her courage to pursue her passion for glassmaking against societal expectations made her a character I couldn't help but root for. Chevalier crafts Orsola's journey with such depth that I felt her struggles and triumphs as if they were my own. The narrative delves into Orsola’s secretive work, her pursuit of perfection, and the painstaking effort it takes to carve out her place in a man's world.
Chevalier’s writing is nothing short of exquisite—lyrical and evocative, each sentence flows like molten glass, drawing you deeper into the story. The way she weaves through time, skipping effortlessly across centuries while keeping Orsola and her family’s legacy at the heart of the tale is masterful. I felt transported through the ages, witnessing the Rosso family face trials of war, plague, love, and loss, all while the beauty of Murano and its traditions unfurl around them.
The magical realism that Chevalier infuses into the narrative is particularly captivating. The idea that time flows differently on Murano creates a dreamlike quality to the story, making the island feel like a living, breathing character. That subtle distortion adds layers of mystique and wonder, intertwining Orsola’s life with the enchanting beads she creates—each one a tiny universe of history and emotion.
Juliet Aubrey’s narration truly elevated the experience. Her voice brought Orsola to life, capturing the essence of her character beautifully. The way she imbues emotion into every word allows you to feel the weight of Orsola’s struggles, the joy in her triumphs, and the heartbreak of her sacrifices. As I listened, I could feel the heat of the glass furnaces and the tension in the air as Orsola pushed against the boundaries that confined her.
By the end of the story, I was in tears, completely overwhelmed by the emotional depth Chevalier so expertly conveys. "The Glassmaker" is a poignant tale about resilience, identity, and the indelible marks we leave behind. It’s a story as delicate and strong as the glass it celebrates, making it an absolute must-read for anyone who cherishes beautifully crafted narratives.

I read this title a few months ago and I love Tracy Chevalier’s books. She writes with authority about so many different periods and niche activities and takes the reader into another world. I’ve really enjoyed listening to this tale again. The narration is superb and I was whisked away to Venice and such incredible detail of Murano glassmaking. More than that, major historical events are acknowledged along with their impact on trading. There’s a strong and plausible female lead and I have to say I binged on this title and finished it in a couple of sittings, totally immersed. Simply brilliant. My earlier review of the printed title follows.


The Glassmaker is a truly astonishing work of historical fiction. Tracy Chevalier is a gifted writer with an incredible eye for detail and in this book, as in others, she has brought a specific and little known skill to life in an ingenious way. Centred around glassmaking, Orsola makes glass beads. I was fascinated by the process and it adds an amazing factual perspective to glimpses through time as the beads skip over some six centuries. Retaining a simple singular viewpoint, the story weaves around other important events and their impact including plague, Napoleon, the First World War and Covid. It’s a clever and imaginative literary device and works seamlessly here.

Chevalier is adept at bringing things to life, be it places or people. I felt I was in Venice when it was a trading centre of the world some five hundred years ago. There’s a vibrancy and elegance to her writing which never seems laboured and her characters are so real. Without doubt, she’s one of the greatest living authors and this is destined to be a best seller. Simply outstanding and totally immersive.

I have read many Tracy Chevalier books and enjoyed them all. This book had a lot to live up to and it didn’t disappoint.
It’s quite a unique idea, people age more slowly where the glassmakers live- so the book spans 500 years of time, but the characters don’t age very much.
The book covers many key periods of time, but the main focus is on the characters relationships, the unwritten rules of families and love interests.
I loved every minute of this book. As I listened to it as an audio book, I was able to really feel the characters and their emotions. I loved the narrator and felt she did a fantastic job with all the voices.
Really clever!

The Glassmaker by Tracy Chevalier is an absolute gem, a shimmering, multifaceted bead of a story that had me completely spellbound! From the very first page, I was transported to the magical world of Renaissance-era Venice, where the air practically hums with the heat of the glass furnaces on Murano. Orsola Rosso, our fiercely determined heroine, grabbed hold of my heart and refused to let go as she defied every expectation to become a glassmaker in a world that insists it’s a man’s craft.

Chevalier’s writing is nothing short of stunning; her prose flows as smoothly as molten glass, reminding me of the lyrical beauty of Maggie O’Farrell and the rich, atmospheric depth of Lauren Groff. I couldn’t help but be utterly entranced by the way she plays with time, skipping effortlessly across centuries, yet keeping Orsola and her family's legacy at the core of the narrative. It’s as if Murano itself exists in a bubble where time bends and stretches, allowing us to witness the Rosso family’s triumphs and heartbreaks as they echo through the ages.

And let’s talk about the magical realism! The way Chevalier weaves it into the fabric of the story is simply enchanting. Time on Murano flows differently, and this slight distortion adds a layer of mystique to an already rich tale. The island feels almost alive, a character in its own right, timeless and enduring, much like the glass Orsola crafts with such love and care.

Oh, and the beads! Those tiny, seemingly inconsequential bits of glass that Orsola begins to make in secret, they’re like little jewels in the narrative, each one holding a piece of history, a sliver of beauty. Chevalier’s metaphor here is exquisite, showing us how these small things: these beads, this family - can carry so much weight, so much meaning across time. I was immediately Googling the images of Murano Millefiori beads and now need some in my life!

I must also gush about the audiobook! The narration was some of the best one I have listened too, absolutely perfect.

By the end, I was in tears, completely overwhelmed by the emotional depth and the sheer beauty of the story. If you love stories that are as delicate and strong as the glass they’re about, this one’s a must-read!

Huge thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Audio for an audiobook ARC of this book! All opinions are mine.

There was a great deal of historical research in this novel, and I really appreciated that. The descriptions of Venice are amazing and the main character is well drawn. I loved the novel and would recommend it highly.