Wonderful Italian Historical Fiction
930820
For centuries, the talented Murano glassmakers of Venice have been distinguished and honoured. Their secrets to glassmaking closely guarded, their prized products highly sought after. Now, author Donna Russo Morin, has penned a novel that sweeps the reader into the 17th century world and lives of these secretive, revered artisans.

The Venetian government highly protects its glassmakers, their factories, and their families, for this is what brings wealth and fame to La Serenissima. Venetian law forces them to live on the island of Murano, their movements closely guarded. When three glassmakers secretly try to flee their restrictive life, they are found murdered. No one can escape these restrictions.

Sophia Fiolario is the eldest daughter of a wealthy glassmaker who has no sons to inherit his highly successful factory. Sophia has a special bond with her father and is passionate about the art of glassmaking. But women are prohibited from learning the mysteries of this highly classified art. It is considered a crime and the penalties are severe and destructive. It can ruin their family and the carefully cultivated reputation of their factory. Sophia has learned the art covertly from her father, the truth of which they must keep highly guarded, even from their own family.

A marriage is arranged between Sophia and an elder impoverished nobleman who will inherit the glass factory upon Sophia's father's death. The family cannot refuse even though the nobleman is cruel and uncaring. Sophia knows it will mean an end to the idyllic life she knows and the end to her furtive glassmaking ventures. While in the throes of the loveless betrothal, Sophia encounters one man who opens her heart and holds the key to her future happiness.

Donna Russo Morin has written a majestic novel, breathtaking in its prose, and sweeping in its scope, about 17th century Venice at the height of its glory. What left me most in awe about this novel, was the highly detailed descriptions of the scenery, streets, architecture and famous people like Galileo himself. It literally transports you to Venice with all its beautiful sights.

The characters had depth and realism with scores of emotions. I literally fell into the story as if I lived and breathed the same air as Sophia and her family and friends. From its festivals and government, life in Venice is masterfully rendered. Ms. Morin is a master storyteller and this is one of best written novels of Venice I have ever read. For lovers of Venetian history, or aficionados of the 17th century, this is one novel worth reading. But you'll have to wait a little. The novel is scheduled for release early in 2010.

<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/The-Pendant/dp/1770650512/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">The Pendant</a>
1731837
An amazing journey of family history through the mountains of Italy all the way to Indianapolis!  You will be sad when this book ends.  I grew to love the characters and their stories and felt like we had had conversations about history and mankind.  Much wisdom to be gained about the love of a family, loyalty, loss, laughter and time well spent together.  I found myself looking up the opera songs on Spotify just so I could hear them singing in the marble quarries as I read.  Carol did an amazing job of researching historical events as well as story telling in this great novel!  I also had the gift of hearing her speak to our book club last night and this made the book come alive more than ever!  Thank you for this treasure of writing it all down so it would not be lost!
4822951
I have been reading novels by Jennifer Chiaverini for many years, including all of her Elm Creek Quilt series.  I recently read Mrs. Lincolns Dressmaker and was captivated by it.  This latest novel, Mrs. Lincolns Rival is as wonderful as her other stories.  I am really glad that Ms.  Chiaverini is branching out to writing such interesting historical fiction.  Even though I know that these Mrs. Lincolns books are mostly fiction, I still appreciate the way Ms. Chiaverini brings out all the elements of history surrounding that period.

In Mrs. Lincolns Rival,  Mary Todd Lincoln is portrayed as a sometimes unstable character, displaying intermittent histrionics over real or imagined slights to her or her husbands position in Washington City.  Kate Chase, the oldest daughter of Governor Salmon Chase, is Mrs. Lincolns rival in the social settings of the capitol.  She is a lovely hostess for her father and equally admired and despised by the social set.

I really enjoyed reading this book.  I am a lover of all historical fiction, especially those written about the war years in the United States.  This book held my interest throughout and since I am aware of Ms. Chiaverinis extensive research in writing such a book, I felt that I was actually reading current accounts.  I am looking forward to reading her other novels set in the Civil War period, Spy Mistress and Mrs. Grant and Madame Jule.  I would think that they would be tops on my list as well.

I was sent a free print copy of this book by NightOwlReviews.con and a free Kindle copy by NetGalley.com in return for my honest review of the book.
You can find this review on my blog at http://wp.me/p2pjIt-du, on Goodreads.com at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1135843677.
1847587
Great story of the early immigrants from Italy and the trials they faced intertwined with the personal stories of the characters. I loved it.
656974
This was a great read from start to finish - once I started the book, I didn't want to put it down. It was totally absorbing and the sense of Italy created was so very strong that I had trouble working out that I wasn't there each time I stopped reading. The story was gripping with many twists and turns. A highly recommended book!
4600048
I am passionate about historical fiction, especially American 17th and 18th century when it's inclusive of all Americans.  I was unaware of Italians New Orleans history.  I was especially impressed with the detailed history of black jazz musicians origins and ultimate migration to the north.
2012291
By far, this is one of the finest historical fiction stories any fan could hope for. The story is good and the characters are rich and colorful. Antonio Vivaldi, the noted composer and musician, teaches the child Antonia to become a prodigious violinist and contralto singer bringing them both fame throughout Venice and other Italian locales, as well as in Vienna. Vivaldi, however objects when the young child grows into teen years and finds a lover. He is so possessive he works with nefarious characters to kidnap her and isolate her from her true love. During that isolation, she is lied to and manipulated as her young lover searches in vain for her. Peirson writes with the passion she ascribes to the passion for music and art of her characters. I found it as good a tragedy as Romeo and Juliet.
3575065
Parlor Games is a completely enjoyable read. I love historical fiction, and in this impressive first novel, Biaggio has clearly done her research and woven it into a fast-paced and spellbinding tale. The exquisite descriptions about the surroundings and fashions of the turn of the last century placed me squarely in that era.

I'd never heard of the main character, May Dugas, before reading this book. Apparently, she was the subject of a Pinkerton investigation and a well-publicized trial. Biaggio takes you back-and-forth between her protagonist's description of this trial and the events of this woman's very colorful life.

May is a woman who lives in a time when women were expected to marry and raise families. It is clear from the beginning that May wanted a more exciting life, she set out to get it, and indeed she did. And the story of how she did is fascinating, and most of all, fun to read.

The book quotes the Pinkerton Detective, who pursued her through much of her life, as referring to her as: "The most dangerous woman in the world". When I first read that, I expected she was going to be involved in in some type of criminal activity that would erode my sympathy for her. At the very least I thought I would feel something akin to my feelings about Bonnie of the notorious Bonnie and Clyde Barrow's gang. However, May lived in a time when a woman was considered extremely dangerous, perhaps mostly because she was able to manipulate men into getting what she wanted. Ironically, at this very time, the male dominated world was destroying a global economy without repentance or reservation.

May certainly uses her feminine beauty and wiles to extort fortunes from men willing to fall into her orbit. But as a reader, she also captivated me, and I eagerly followed her unfolding life of drama, intrigue, and cunning. Although sometimes I wasn't always sure whether I admired or disapproved of May, mostly I came to understand and sympathize with a powerful woman who used the resources that she had to succeed in a world that did not welcome strong women.

Often when I finish a work of historical fiction, I immediately want to know more about what the other facts of the case were and where the author embellished to fill out this compelling novel. In this regard, Parlor Games is no different. I am left with many questions about this woman's life and times, and I am very tempted to do some research on my own to learn more about her.

I eagerly await more from this talented author.
3935269
I love good historical fiction and this was beautifully done.  Having been to St. Malo made it even more interesting.  Great book
692205
WWII, Mussolini had surrendered Italy to Hitler. Disillusioned where this war was going  A small group of Italian Soldiers part of the resistance had taken it upon themselves to save the lives of Jewish refugees from the work camps and execution from Nazi soldiers by escorting them on an arduous journey through a mountain pass, selflessly sacrificing there lives to save others. Along the way Italian citizens just ordinary people all learning to survive the horrors of War and its brutality, they extended their hand of friendship. In many cases showing peoples different sides of good and evil, which at times could be heartbreaking.

This is the first book I've read written by Mary Doria Russell, it was given to me and it turned out to be a wonderful surprise. Ms Russell had spent five years researching to find the essence to this engrossing story. Based on the true story of the Italian resistance who were to have saved ten of thousands of jews during the final phases of the second world war. Although this book is fictional, the plot is strong, vivid characters and many emotional tragedies. The only drawback would be some parts could be confusing, there are a lot of characters racing through this book with many different view points to keep track of, but if you can grasp it and keep track of it, this is a beautiful read. It's a wonderful achievement.

A.Bowhill
586258
Being a great fan of historical fiction based on fact, I thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Tagliarini's book as much as I did "The Nightingale" by Hannah and "Lilac Girls" by Kelly. Very much looking forward to reading more from this author.
1778071
This book is excellently written and researched. It was a touch slow in the beginning, there was a lot of back story told, but it certainly added to the overall story. The last half of the book went way too quickly. It was riveting. Here is a woman who is not well known today, but if she were, she would make an amazing Italian leader.

The writing style puts the reader right in the story. Ms. Lev gives us the names of many people but I never felt I was lost and couldn't follow characters. The book was well organized. This is a wonderful read for anyone who likes History, Italian History, or Biographies.

This is the kind of amazingly detailed story that should be turned in to a shorter biography for Elementary school children. Ms. Lev had so many exciting and courageous details about Caterina, all young Italian, and any nationality, girls should have the knowledge of someone this spirited.
3555014
The Gondola Maker by Laura Morelli is a wonderful trip back in time to Renaissance Venice.

Luca Vianello is the heir to his fathers very successful gondola-making business. When a family tragedy occurs Lucas temper flares at his father and the incident results in Luca not only being on his own for the first time in his life but also fleeing the only home hes ever known.

Luca is lucky in that he finds a job doing errands for an artist. While there he discovers that the artist has an antique gondola that had actually been built by Lucas own grandfather and he gains permission to restore it. The process of restoring this gondola is like a balm to Lucas soul and gives him a new perspective on his life. Even though he was set to inherit his fathers business Luca was never allowed to touch a lot of the materials for building the gondolas because he was left-handed. Back in those days you were considered to be marked by the devil if you used your left hand for writing or anything else. So building this gondola all on his own showed him that he could indeed do it and do it well.

Luca is a great character and narrator of this story. He is young but smart and really only wants to discover what his true destiny in life is. When he sees a painting of a beautiful woman that the artist is working on he is entranced and feels quite sure she is supposed to be a part of that destiny. Yet this woman, Guiliana, is of a completely different class than he so it just cant be but still Luca strives to meet her. His dream is of one day taking her on a ride in the gondola that he has rebuilt with all the passion and love he carries in his heart.

Renaissance Venice comes alive at the authors hand and the vivid descriptions of the craftsmanship that goes into the building of gondolas is nothing short of fascinating. The Gondola Maker is a novel of love, loss, and fulfilling ones destiny. I really enjoyed it and recommend it to all lovers of historical fiction!
1631923
Well written with historical figures and facts while intertwining wonderful characters.  This novel is full of twists and turns.  I highly recommend this book for any one with interest in the Italian Renaissance period.
779301
This is a wonderful historical novel.  The author describes life in the Lake Como area during the 1600s.  The stark contrast with life in Lake Como in the XXI century is amazing.  Manzoni was a man of his times and his style of writing can be a bit slow.  But the contents are so dramatic that you simply cannot put down this book.
4027722
I love well researched and well written historical fiction that pulls you into the life of its characters with beautiful descriptions of the time, place, culture, and character. This book has all of that. It is rich from beginning to end, moving through the lives of many characters as they interact with Katherine Sywnford.
547935
I found the characters believable and the author did an excellent job describing the sights, sounds, and emotions of the time in Italy.  The specific leaders and locations were intricate details woven throughput the book.