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Saturday, November 20, 2010
title: The Secret of the Glass
author: Donna Russo Morin
genre: historical fiction
published: 2010
pages: 372
first line: The scalding heat rose up before her, reaching deep inside her like a selfish lover grasping for her soul.
rated: 4 out of 5 stars
When author Donna Russo Morin contacted me about reading and reviewing her book The Secret of the Glass, I was tickled pink. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres and I always enjoy delving into a story set in another time and place.
Set in Venice during the 17th century, The Secret of the Glass is a wonderfully woven story full of drama, romance and Venetian history.
Nineteen year old Sophia Fiolario comes from a family of glass makers, her father Zeno owns a successful glass making factory. Being the eldest of three daughters, Sophia has been taught how to make the glass and she truly loves it. However, she works in secret with her father because it is illegal for women to work the glass.
The lovely Sophia is betrothed against her will to Pasquale da Fuligna, who is cold hearted and almost twice her age. She unwillingly consents to marry him, thinking of what will happen to her family once her father dies. If all goes as planned, her husband will inherit her fathers business and 'kindly' pay to put her two sisters in a nunnery.
When Sophia meets a handsome and kind stranger Teodoro Gradenigo, there is instant attraction. However, Teodoro is headed to the parish himself. His older brother is set to marry, leaving Teodoro with no other choice.
She felt his gaze first, like the brush of a butterfly's wings if they passed too close to the tender skin of her cheek, a touch that wasn't a touch at all but jarring nonetheless. She turned to it, drawn by it and saw him. His chiseled features towered over every other head in the room. He seemed to scowl at her, yet a small, almost secretive smile played upon his full lips.
Teodoro and Sophia are soon unable to forget each other, but they know it is nearly impossible to be together. Sophia is on a mission to find out if her betrothed is up to something illegal so she can report him and hopefully save herself.
To make matters worse, Sophia's father has been diagnosed with Dementia and his health is quickly declining.
Another interesting aspect to the story is Galileo Galilei and his famous invention, the telescope. He needs someone to make a special glass piece for it, and he hears the Fiolario's glass making factory is among the finest in Venice.
Author Donna Russo Morin obviously did her research and the result is a beautifully told story with vivid details of 17th century Venice and its history. I really felt swept up in this time period while I was reading.
I liked Sophia's character very much. She's a strong heroine, with a mind of her own trying to make it in a world were her options were limited.
The relationship she had with Teodoro was really sweet. I wondered how their story would end.
I also enjoyed reading about the techniques used during glass making. It seemed that Sophia had a passion for it, and truly felt free while making beautiful glass creations. Sadly enough, she had to keep her love of working the glass a secret.
I loved how the story involved different aspects of Venice and it's historical figures. Galileo is woven into the storyline seamlessly.
This was a great read and I highly recommend it to fans of Historical Fiction.
There's an interesting plot, likable characters and wonderful writing within these pages.
It is the history book writer's function to tell us where and when things happened;
it is the function of the fiction writer to tell us how it felt.
- Donna Russo Morin
Special thanks to author Donna Russo Morin for sending me a copy of her book.
