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19th century painting depicting Galileo Galilei displaying his telescope to Leonardo Donato in 1609.



Engraving of Paolo Sarpi by George Vertue (1684–1756)




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The Secret of the Glass
The Secret of the Glass by Donna Russo Morin

by Donna Russo Morin
     
Sophia Fiolario is the oldest daughter of Zeno, one of the famed glassmakers of Murano. Zeno has always been lenient with her, perhaps too lenient for she carries a deadly secret- Sophia knows THE SECRET OF THE GLASS. Unfortunately, she has now been chosen for marriage and to refuse is unthinkable. Worse yet, Zeno’s health is failing and the future of her father’s factory is in jeopardy. Meanwhile, Sophia is quickly losing her heart to another man and political unrest has everyone on edge, including Sophia’s cold and distant intended, Pasquale da Fuligna. THE SECRET OF THE GLASS can be profitable, but it can also be deadly. Will it be Sophia’s downfall?

Donna Russo Morin takes readers into the heart of the early 1600s, showing readers a world both magnificent and lethal. The political intrigues involving Galileo, Father Sarpi, and Leonardo Donato show the atmosphere of danger present at the time. Sophia’s hidden passion for making the glass is heightened by the turbulence of the times, as her knowledge is one that others will kill to keep guarded. Donna Russo Morin acknowledges in the Author’s Note that she has altered slightly the timing of events in order for them to coincide. This doesn’t distract from the novel but rather accentuates the historical drama unfolding.

Sophia is an easy character to like. Her independence makes her more accessible to modern day readers and yet the weighty responsibilities of the time period are not forgotten in the molding of her personality. Instead, readers are treated to an unusual heroine, one physically trapped by the strictures of her time and yet inspirational in her quest to overcome those bonds. Her relationship with Teodoro Gradenigo had me peeking at the end as Donna Russo Morin does a spectacular job at crafting a story that evokes such a strong emotional response to the characters and their lives.

THE SECRET OF THE GLASS is a phenomenal historical fiction tale about an often disturbing time period. Donna Russo Morin sheds light on the glassmakers’ plight, as they were oppressed despite their often vast wealth. Knowledge is often thought of as a key to freedom but Donna Russo Morin shows us how it has also been used to imprison. Absolutely superb!

 
Publisher: Kensington Books (March 2010)

Reviewed by Debbie, Debbie Wiley Book Reviews
Review Courtesy of Amazon Vine


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