Review: THE SECRET OF THE GLASS by Donna Russo Morin
Sophia Flolario, a nineteen year old daughter of one of the glass masters and owner of La Spada glasswork factory, never intended to marry or leave her family. Her father, Zeno, indulged her by secretly teaching her the skill of glassmaking, an inappropriate undertaking for a woman, but Zeno had no sons to pass on his legacy. Zeno’s health was deteriorating and he depended more and more on Sophia, including making lenses for the famous Galileo to use in his design for the tubespectacle (telescope).
The Flolario family caught the attention of one of the poor noblemen of Venice. The noblemen were the ruling class but many were poor while the glassmakers, though lower class, were made rich by selling their glass. It was commonplace for a nobleman to infuse his coffers with the dowry of a glassmaker’s daughter, who in turn received a title and prestige for her family. Despite her reluctance, Sophia knew she could not refuse Pasquale Da Fuligna’s proposal without bringing disgrace and ruin to her family. Ironically, it was during her courtship with Pasquale that Sophia met and fell in love with another poor nobleman, Theodore, a third son that had no right to marry according to customary dictate. But Sophia and Theodore find a way to see each other and their love grows stronger. Meanwhile, Venice is in upheaval over control of religious clerics and the Doge is trying to protect independent thought, something all Venetians cherish.
The struggles and interaction of the characters in Donna Russo Morin’s intriguing historical novel, THE SECRET OF THE GLASS, beguile her readers. Ms. Morin relates facts from this time in Venetian history and intertwines it meticulously to create a fast moving story that pulls the reader in, placing us among the events as they happen. No greater compliment can be given an author than having the reader forget time and place, to become totally immersed in the story delighting in the sounds, sights and smells described. A beautiful story by master story teller Donna Russo Morin; THE SECRET OF THE GLASS should not be missed.
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Genre: historical ISBN: 978-0758226921 Page Count: 387 Price: $ 15.00 Reviewer: Donna |
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Sensuous Star Rating: 5 Stars Author's Website: http://www.donnarussomorin.com/ |
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