A beautifully crafted read with great pace against the evocative backdrop of Venice
17 October 2008
I give this book a 5 star recommendation, read it cover to cover and would really recommend it to anyone. Throughout the attention to detail is fantastic from the description of the intricacies of Venice's architecture to the technical details of subjects as diverse as mirror making and old manuscript preservation. This novel runs in a dual time theme with a fast paced gripping and tragic industrial espionage tale intertwined with a modern day emotional search for happiness. At it's 'heart' it's a tale of love and family across the ages but anyone thinking this is a touchy feely emotional wet blanket should think again. The historical pot starts with an atmospheric chase through renaissance carnival Venice, culminates in a murder that sets a host of questions that are answered in both time threads. Moral decisions and dilemmas abound and the both time threads have their fare share of edgy moral moments. Without giving too much away there's a piece of political satire that makes you laugh out loud and then feel shocked to the core within a sentence, there's witty comment on the clash of modern commercial need with the historical artisan's craftsmanship and a beautiful dream sequence with a nightmarish awakening that might well affect your sleep if you dwell on it too long! The quality of writing throughout is of a good standard and I know there's alot of historical fiction on the shelves but I'd really recommend this read. The author's style is entertaining and easy reading so this is a great book if you like a good read and want to learn something of history! And I meant what I said about not putting it down.

Wonderful
17 October 2008
This book is simply brilliantly written and appeals to both genders - quite a feat. The modern day strand is intriguing, and you ache to find out how it will resolve itself; meanwhile the historical strand is a real eye-opener for how things were done back then -- assassination by glass daggers as an example. Fascinating, gripping and a terrific sense of location. This was my 'must read' of 2008.

Great book!
18 October 2008
I found this book really interesting. It carefully interwove two separate (though linked) life stories and included impressive details about glass-blowing & the history and geography of Venice. I'd recommend it to other readers.

beautiful
18 October 2008
This book allowd me spend a precious few hours feeling I was living in modern day Venice; I could taste the food and feel the air. It also gives a fascinating insight into Venetian politics; history and glassblowing.

A great read
18 October 2008
This novel is definitely to be recommended as an absorbing, gripping tale, full of interest and historical detail. Two interwined stories weave their way through the book & keep you guessing how it will all end.

A unique story that grips you throughout
19 October 2008
My girlfriend was given the book as a present and handed it to me as soon as she was finished. I found it to be a richly layered, beautifully descriptive book that gave me sleepless nights! I was stunned to discover that this was the first book by the author - I can only commend her on her obvious talent and attention to detail - highly recommended!!!!

Best in the genre!
19 October 2008
Simply my best read of 2008. A fascinating tale written by an erudite author. An excellent combination that meant I couldn't put it down.

Breathtaking
20 October 2008
The Glassblower of Murano is romantic, thrilling and impossible to put down. The book is filled with beautiful descriptions of glassblowing and rich historical details. In fact, the historical element was so well conceived and blended with the modern tale that I was convinced Corradino Manin had actually existed -- his story was so beautifully written, I wanted him to be real. I highly recommend this book. It's beauty stays with you long after you've turned last page.

Beautiful!
20 October 2008
This book is a rich delight. All encompassing, it draws you seemlessly into both strands - the emotional, modern dilemma and the fast paced historical chase switching easily between the two. I was incredibly moved by such sensitive and intriguing writing. As ever, with great writing, the genius is in the detail. I loved this book, it truly has stayed with me.

A great read!
20 October 2008
Richly layered, gripping and evocative.

Makes Venice come alive!
22 October 2008
This is a very cleverly written book and this authoress is certainly a name to watch out for . The novel moves the reader skillfully through past and present capturing the beauty and allure of Venice. This is a love affair on many different levels and it reminds us of what really matters in life.

A page-turning romantic thriller!
22 October 2008
Crossing back and forth through the centuries in a magical, mystical and mysterious Venice and centering on the intriguing art of glassblowing Marina Fiorato has crafted a page-turning romantic thriller. Her detailed descriptions of the techniques of glassblowing alone were such that when I finished the book I reckoned I could knock off a quick crystal swan or two!

An evocative, intriguing beautiful book
29 October 2008
This is a wonderful book. It is intriguing: the parallel stories are plaited together like a barleysugar wineglass stem and it is so evocative of place: if you've never been to Venice you'll discover it in Glassblower, and if you have you'll love being taken, so accurately, back there. And it's both a thriller and a love story. What more could you possibly want?

Beautiful book that transported me back to Venice
30 October 2008
It is a cracking book. I picked it up in London on the way home to Dublin, I started reading it on Monday and had finished the book on the train home Tuesday night. So what does that tell, I was gripped! I had a flashing visit to Venice a couple of weeks after I got engaged and it has left a mark on us ever since. Your book transported me back and I pang to return to get lost in the mysteries of that fine city. When is your next book coming????

Top marks!
07 November 2008
Excellent read, beautifully and artfully written and there's another one on the way. Marina is also great when speaking at book launches.

Take me to Venice
17 November 2008
Marina Fiorato has a gift for historical imagery - this book immersed me in contemporary Venice and Venetian history. A delight.

A great read even for those who think they don't like that type of book
17 November 2008
Fiorato has delivered an original and gripping narrative that will doubtless appeal to a very broad spectrum of readers, including many of those who might be looking not to be. Her prose is peppered with vivid yet subtle descriptions and cannot fail to impress. Highly recommended classy escapism just when we need it!.

Super escapist read with suspense and romance
19 November 2008
I can't get enough of novels set in Italy, even more so if set in Venice, so this wasn't going to languish at the bottom of my to be read pile ... was it worth promoting? Yes and no ... Like many novels these days it seems, there are parallel strands - weaving a modern day story with a historical one. Usually one strand is more interesting than the other, and this is no exception; but unlike Labyrinth say, where the contemporary strand was superfluous and detracted from the historical one, this novel just about pulls it off. We learn just the right amount about glassblowing and the potentially deadly process of silvering the mirrors with mercury. The author, a Shakespearean scholar, pays her debt to him, but I would have liked to find out more about 'The Ten' - the Venetian cult of assassins who stalked the glassblower and ultimately collect their debt when he returns to Venice one last time. An excellent read which successfully delivers both suspense and romance.

Fantastic
30 November 2008
You know you're reading a good book when you can't put it down, yet don't want to reach the end - and that's exactly the experience you'll have with The Glassblower of Murano. It transports you to Venice, seemlessly moving between the Italy of today and yesteryear. Visual, intriguing, rich. Looking for a good Christmas gift? This is it.

As above
01 December 2008
I totally agree with the above comment - I was torn between wanting to read on and not wanting the story to finish. Marina has given us a brilliant story that weaves together a fascinating family history that brought Venice to life for me in a very vivid way, presenting a side to it that you don't often hear about underneath the obvious romance and beauty. This book deserves to do very well. If you haven't read it yet - DO!

Fabulous
03 December 2008
A great summer read, loved it.

best book I've read this year
04 December 2008
This book definitely deserves to be on the shortlist as a 'book to talk about' - the narrative is compelling, it paints a wonderful and intriguing picture of Venice, and the characters are marvellous, particularly the glassblower Corradino who is so strong in the face of adversity. The complex decision he makes to betray his country for someone he loves even more would lend itself so well to a reading group discussion; I can't wait to talk about it!

Enchanting
13 February 2009
This book is something to savour. The entwining stories of Corradino and his descendant Nora and their passion for glassblowing and Venice make for compelling reading. Fiorato's descriptions immerse the reader into Venice and Murano both present day and centuries before. Absolutely brilliant book!

Could not put it down...
28 February 2009
I loved this book, could not stop reading it. Like other readers I found the descriptions immersed you into a visual Venice and Murano. I found the plot exciting and kept me turning the pages. If I had to criticise my only comment would be that the section where Alessandro went to the church and found the booklet seemed a little contrived and a perhaps a little rushed but overall thought this book was brilliant. Can't wait for her next!