The Glassmaker

by Tracy Chevalier

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

The Glassmaker is an enthralling and lushly written historical novel by Tracy Chevalier. Released 18th June 2024 by Penguin Random House on their Viking imprint, it's 416 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, paperback, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

This is an engaging and meticulously written historical novel which starts in early Renaissance Venice and follows the secret craft of the glassmakers of Murano. It's the story of one gifted young female artist specifically, honing her craft in secret, set against the wider backdrop of the massive political and cultural upheavals of the period.

The prose is beautifully descriptive and polished. It's a classically written, well edited, smoothly engineered machine and although it's not at all derivative, will appeal to readers of classic historical authors like Umberto Eco, Jude Morgen, and Sue Monk Kidd. 

Four strong stars. It would be an excellent choice for public library acquisition, home library, or book club study. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.