Reflections on Time, Art, and Family in the City of Water
Venice, that enchanting city of canals and mysteries, has long captivated the imaginations of artists and writers. But in Tracy Chevalier’s latest novel, “The Glassmaker,” we’re transported not just to Venice proper, but to its lesser-known neighbor: the island of Murano, home to the legendary glassmakers whose artistry has dazzled the world for centuries.
Chevalier, known for her ability to breathe life into historical settings, outdoes herself here. “The Glassmaker” is a sweeping family saga that spans generations, weaving together the fortunes of the Rosso family with the rise and fall of Venice itself. At its heart is Orsola Rosso, a young woman in 1486 who dares to dream of creating glass in a world where such work is forbidden to her sex.
A Story as Fluid as Molten Glass
What sets “The Glassmaker” apart is its innovative structure. Chevalier employs a technique she calls “time alla Veneziana,” where the narrative skips across the centuries like a stone skimming water. We follow the Rosso family through pivotal moments in history: the plague of 1630, the fall of the Venetian Republic, the world wars, and beyond. Yet somehow, Orsola remains our constant companion, aging only eight years as decades and centuries fly by.
This unique approach to time could easily become gimmicky in less skilled hands. But Chevalier masterfully uses it to explore themes of tradition, innovation, and the tension between change and constancy. The Rosso family, like Venice itself, must adapt to survive – yet their core identity as glassmakers remains unchanged.
Characters That Shimmer and Shine
Orsola Rosso is a protagonist who will linger in readers’ minds long after the final page. Her determination to pursue her passion for glassmaking, despite societal constraints, is both admirable and relatable. Chevalier excels at portraying Orsola’s growth from a curious girl to a skilled artisan, all while maintaining her essential spirit across the centuries.
The supporting cast is equally vivid. From Orsola’s temperamental brother Marco to the fiery Venetian Luciana who marries into the family, each character feels fully realized. Particularly poignant is the relationship between Orsola and Antonio, a fisherman-turned-glassmaker whose love endures across time and distance.
Notable Characters:
Orsola Rosso: Our protagonist, a talented and determined glassmaker
Marco Rosso: Orsola’s volatile brother and head of the family business
Antonio Scaramal: Orsola’s love interest who leaves for Prague
Luciana: A strong-willed Venetian who marries into the Rosso family
Stella: Orsola’s independent-minded sister who breaks from tradition
A Master Class in Historical Detail
As with her previous works like “Girl with a Pearl Earring” and “Remarkable Creatures,” Chevalier’s research shines through on every page. The intricacies of glassmaking come alive, from the searing heat of the furnaces to the delicate art of creating millefiori beads. But it’s not just the craft that Chevalier captures so well – it’s the entire world of Renaissance and post-Renaissance Venice.
The author paints a vivid picture of life on Murano, with its complex social hierarchies, fierce competition between glass houses, and the ever-present influence of the Venetian Republic. As the story progresses, we see how larger historical events – from the discovery of new trade routes to the rise of mass production – impact the insular world of Murano’s artisans.
Historical Events Covered:
The plague of 1630
The fall of the Venetian Republic
Napoleon’s conquest of Venice
World War I
The rise of tourism in Venice
Themes as Multifaceted as Venetian Glass
While “The Glassmaker” is undoubtedly a historical novel, it tackles themes that resonate powerfully with modern readers. The struggle for women’s rights and recognition in male-dominated fields is a thread that runs throughout the book. Orsola’s fight to be acknowledged as a glassmaker in her own right mirrors the battles many women still face in traditionally masculine industries.
The novel also grapples with questions of tradition versus innovation. The Rosso family must constantly balance their reverence for time-honored techniques with the need to adapt to changing markets and technologies. This tension feels particularly relevant in our rapidly changing world, where traditional crafts and ways of life are often threatened by globalization and automation.
Perhaps most poignantly, “The Glassmaker” explores the nature of family and legacy. As the Rosso line continues through the centuries, we see how each generation both honors and rebels against the expectations set by their ancestors. The idea that we are all part of a larger story, connected to those who came before and those who will come after, is beautifully rendered through Chevalier’s multi-generational approach.
Prose as Clear and Elegant as Venetian Crystal
Chevalier’s writing style in “The Glassmaker” is a perfect match for her subject matter. Her prose is clear and precise, yet capable of moments of startling beauty. She has a knack for sensory description that brings the world of Murano to life—you can almost feel the heat of the furnaces, smell the lagoon, and hear the tinkling of glass beads.
The dialogue, too, feels natural and period-appropriate without ever becoming stilted. Chevalier manages to convey the changing speech patterns across the centuries while maintaining a consistent voice for her main characters.
A Few Cloudy Spots in the Glass
While “The Glassmaker” is undoubtedly a triumph, it’s not without its flaws. The time-skipping narrative, while innovative, can occasionally be disorienting. Some readers may find themselves wishing for more time with certain characters or in particular historical periods.
Additionally, the latter half of the novel feels somewhat rushed compared to the rich detail of the earlier sections. The 20th century portions, while still engaging, lack some of the depth and texture of the Renaissance-era chapters.
A Worthy Addition to Chevalier’s Oeuvre
Fans of Tracy Chevalier’s previous works will find much to love in “The Glassmaker.” It showcases all of her strengths as a writer: meticulous historical research, complex female protagonists, and an ability to bring past eras vividly to life. Yet it also represents a step forward in terms of narrative ambition and scope.
For readers new to Tracy Chevalier, “The Glassmaker” serves as an excellent introduction to her style. It’s a more sweeping, multi-generational saga than some of her earlier, more focused historical novels, but it retains the intimate, character-driven approach that has made her so beloved.
Comparisons and Context
“The Glassmaker” by Tracy Chevalier invites comparison to other historical novels set in Venice, such as Donna Leon’s Brunetti series or Sarah Dunant’s “In the Company of the Courtesan.” However, Chevalier’s focus on the world of Murano glassmaking sets it apart, offering a fresh perspective on a city that has been written about countless times.
The novel’s multi-generational approach and focus on a family of artisans also brings to mind Min Jin Lee’s “Pachinko” or Isabel Allende’s “The House of the Spirits,” albeit with a distinctly Venetian flavor.
Final Thoughts: A Novel That Sparkles
“The Glassmaker” is a novel that, like the finest Murano glass, manages to be both delicate and strong, transparent yet full of hidden depths. Tracy Chevalier has crafted a story that is at once intimately personal and sweepingly historical, offering readers a unique window into the fascinating world of Venetian glassmaking.
Through Orsola Rosso and her descendants, we’re invited to consider timeless questions about art, family, and the nature of progress. We’re reminded that, like the glassmakers of Murano, we are all part of a larger tradition, inheritors of skills and stories passed down through generations.
In the end, “The Glassmaker” by Tracy Chevalier is more than just a historical novel – it’s a meditation on the enduring power of human creativity and the bonds that connect us across time. It’s a book that, like the finest Venetian glass, will continue to catch the light and reveal new facets with each reading.
Verdict:
Highly recommended for lovers of historical fiction, family sagas, and anyone fascinated by the intricate dance between art and commerce. Tracy Chevalier has once again proven herself a master craftswoman, creating a novel as complex, beautiful, and enduring as the glasswork at its heart.