The Glassblower of Murano by Marina Fiorato is one of the best books I have read recently. It is filled with history, intrigue…and is just a plain great love story! I whizzed through the book and wished it wouldn’t end!
The story flip flops between the present day, Leonora, and fifteenth century, Corradino…and relates the two through a shared Murano glass heart.
Corradino Manin was one of the most famous glassblowers of Renaissance Venice. His pieces were flawless, and his reputation became known throughout Europe. Corradino had an illegitimate daughter whom he loved deeply, and for whom he made a perfect glass heart that she could always carry with her. But Corradino led a dangerous life because of his glassblowing knowledge – a secret that belonged to Murano and that the Venetian nobility wanted to safeguard, but that others wanted to steal!
Leonora was a present day artist who was trying to discover herself after a failed marriage. She had been born in Venice, and decided to return to discover her family roots and find out about her ancestor, Corradino Manin. With her was the same glass heart that had been passed down through the generations.
Upon arriving in Venice, Leonora begins to discover the ghosts of her ancestors and is faced with many chilling revelations. But she also finds love! The places described in the book bring Venice alive. After having walked the same alleys and come upon the same piazzas mentioned in the book, you can just imagine yourself tredding the same tracks.
This book is a must read for anyone who loves Venice – from its mesmerizing beauty to its masked facade! Venice is both breathtaking but also a bit mysterious, and this book portrays the magic of it all.
I read this book as part if the Italy in Books Challenge 2011
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Il Mio Tesoro 
This could be fun. I have just been to Venice.
Yes, you will love it! Enjoy!