HISTORICAL
FICTION
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OUTSTANDING BOOK
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Debbie
Wiley
Book Reviews |
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19th century
painting depicting Galileo Galilei displaying his telescope to Leonardo
Donato in 1609.
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Engraving of Paolo
Sarpi by George Vertue (1684–1756)
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BOOK
ILLUMINATIONS
From Debbie Wiley Book Reviews
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The Secret of the Glass
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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