In ‘The Glassmaker,’ Chevalier masterfully weaves a story through time while ensuring minimal breakage

by Don Porter

“The Glassmaker,” by well-known author Tracy Chevalier, is a work of historical fiction. It features the city of Venice and, as importantly, the island of Murano, which is across the lagoon from the main island.

The story begins in the year 1486 with the heroine, Orsola Rosso. From there, it takes you on a journey through more than 500 years that span a vibrant trade life, the plague, and multiple wars before arriving at current days. Although the novel employs the technique of “time skipping,” Orsola and her family are constants through the centuries.

Murano glassmaking was initiated by the Doge of Venice—the head of state for the Republic of Venice. As both an art and a trade, glassmaking was moved to this island in the last decade of the 13th century to primarily ensure the rest of Venice was safe from possible fires. As a trade, glassmaking was an occupation practiced by a limited number of men in select Venetian families. The artistic demands required a tremendous amount of skill and hard work.

The story unfolds with Orsola, along with her mother and sisters, dealing with the responsibility of helping to raise children and keep the family fed and cared for. There is little time for Orsola to entertain dreams of her own. By fate, she connects with Maria Barovier, a historical glass artist who has mastered the skill of making glass beads. Barovier teaches Orsola the basics of the art and encourages Orsola  to become a master of the art as well.

Working through a German merchant and trader, Orsola has to sell her beads in secret due to male domination of the glassmaking trade and rigid rules within its guild. Over time, Orsolo’s developing skill becomes vital to the Rosso family as events cause men’s glassmaking skills to steadily decline and almost disappear at times. Throughout their lives, the Rosso family faces numerous hardships and tragedies, but it’s the beadmaking that helps them to survive.

Venice was a major world trading center and, as such, it was home to all sorts of intriguing historical events over time. Famous for Cassanova as well as the gondoliers who traverse Venetian canals, this reader can speak from experience that Venice is a fascinating place. In fact, it’s highly likely that the visit my wife and I took to Venice helped to make “The Glassmaker” even more relatable.

As with most good novels, “The Glassmaker” has an underlying love story that is quite unique. A surprise visit for Orsola at the end of the book brings the story to an unexpected end.

 If you like historical fiction as I do, I think you will “The Glassmaker,” by Tracy Chevalier is a great read.

Don Porter is a former Stockbridge Schools deputy superintendent. He also served as assistant principal at the Jr./Sr. High School and then principal at Smith Elementary, Katz Elementary, and Heritage School. He and his wife, Tammy, live in Stockbridge and enjoy fly fishing, golf, traveling, and working in the yard.