'Perhaps we shall not see each other again. I will write to you, though, and tell you, as best I can, the story of your family. A glass-blower, rem...
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Mar 09, 2009
Misfit
rated it: 
"Somehow, we no longer seemed to preach the brotherhood of man"
In this book du Maurier recounts the tale of her forebears, the Busson family of master glass-blowers leading up to and through the French Revolution. Told through the POV of Sophie as she looks back on her life, daughter of master glass-blower Mathurin Busson and his formidable (in a good way) wife Magdaleine and her siblings Robert, Pierre, Michel and Edmé. For Robert, the eldest working his craft in the count More...
In this book du Maurier recounts the tale of her forebears, the Busson family of master glass-blowers leading up to and through the French Revolution. Told through the POV of Sophie as she looks back on her life, daughter of master glass-blower Mathurin Busson and his formidable (in a good way) wife Magdaleine and her siblings Robert, Pierre, Michel and Edmé. For Robert, the eldest working his craft in the count More...
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Sep 14, 2008
Cynthia
rated it: 
I am a huge fan of Daphnie du Maurier, and so maybe I already had my mind made up that I would love this book, or maybe it's becuase it is an historic novel, which I love. But the fact that is actually about her own heritage was even more compelling. After reading The Hidden Diary of Marie Antionette A Novel, and learning more about the behavior of the French aristocacy, this book is written from the other side of the fence, from the point of view of the merchants and craftsmen, trying to survi
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Sep 08, 2011
Michelle
rated it: 
The inside cover of my copy reads: "The Glass-Blowers is a novel about the Bussons, the auther's forbears, before and during the French Revolution. An engraved glass in her possession, and a letter written a hundred and fifty years ago, and found by chance among old family papers left by her grandfather George du Maurier, led her on a voyage of discovery: and the result is a novel which, by reason perhaps of the quiet intensity of the feeling that informs it, surpasses, in our view, any of
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Aug 04, 2011
Istop4books
rated it:
The Glass-Blowers is Daphne Du Maurier’s historical novel which actually delves into her own ancestry, telling the story of a family of glass makers living and working during the French Revolution. I have read several of Du Maurier’s books, always with gusto, however this one fell short and disappointed me. Her historical information was relevant and interesting, however her characters were less than engaging and somewhat two-dimensional. I failed to feel for them or care for what they did.
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Feb 22, 2010
Margaret
rated it:
In The Glass-Blowers, du Maurier reaches into her own historical background, as she did with Mary Anne, to tell a story of a family of glass workers during the French Revolution. Unfortunately, also as with Mary Anne, although she tells an interesting story, she fails to make it emotionally engaging. The characters are often flat, even the narrator, and even the atmosphere and the sense of place, usually a strong point for du Maurier, aren't compelling. The story was just interesting enough for
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Sep 19, 2010
El
rated it: 
Daphne du Maurier used her own ancestry to write this historical fiction. She tells the story of her forebears, the Busson family who were glass-blowers during the French Revolution. I was really excited by the idea - using your own family's history to tell an engaging story. But I wasn't all that engaged.
I found the history itself more interesting than the characters, which seems to be a bad trend I'm finding myself in right now with the books I've been reading. The first part o More...
I found the history itself more interesting than the characters, which seems to be a bad trend I'm finding myself in right now with the books I've been reading. The first part o More...
Oct 16, 2007
Jaimie
rated it:
This is a great book about the French revolution from the perspective of a family of glass blowers. It was educational...in that good way. It provides a realistic view of how war can affect your perspective on a myriad of things...how it can sometimes pervade all thought and how it can sometimes be ignored.
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Jun 18, 2010
Linda
rated it:
Daphne du Maurier wrote this novel as a fictionalized history of her own forebears. As best I can tell, the famous author is a descendant of Robert Busson, who added the “du Maurier” to the end of his name as part of his aristocratic pretensions. The Bussons were a two generation family of glass blowers in France, who were master craftsmen, but no aristocrats. Simply stated, Robert was a gambler, a risk taker who threw everything into his quest for prestige. He spent time in prison because of ba
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May 07, 2009
Linda
rated it:
I happened to see this on the shelf of my local library and borrowed it as I realised it was a book of Daphne du Maurier's that I hadn't already read. Whilst not in the same league as 'Rebecca' or 'Jamaica Inn', I thoroughly enjoyed it. It tells the story of a family of glass-blowers, set against the backdrop of the French Revolution but from the perspective of a middle-class family rather than the aristocracy. I found it tailed off towards the end but am so glad I can include this amongst t
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Feb 08, 2010
Jessica
rated it: 
My tenth-grade English teacher made us read this crapfest. If I needed any other proof that she was brainless and worthless, this would be it. I wish I had thrown it at her. If I ever see her again, I will, while noting that if she can't handle two-syllable words or books that DON'T involve "throbbing" she shouldn't have the gall to consider herself a teacher.
If you're reading this and it sounds familiar, I invite you to SUCK IT.
If you're reading this and it sounds familiar, I invite you to SUCK IT.
Oct 01, 2009
Maha
rated it:
An stragely accurate and historical representation of the French Revolution given what a dramatically girly novel this ends up being. Would have given four stars except for the descent into a 1930s precursor to Danielle Steel that seemed to take hold in the second half of the book. Engaging, however, and at least one of the characters is likeable, which is all one really needs.
Jan 14, 2009
Miss Clark
rated it:
Really boring. The story covers a period of about one hundred years in France, from the time of the Sun King, through the French Revolution, the rise and fall of Napoleon's Empire and the restoration of the monarchy, following the falls and fortunes of the Busson family, master glass-blowers and engravers by trade. That family was messed up and I did not feel any real sympathy for any of the characters, especially once they all assisted in the Revolution and supported those madmen of the Tribuna
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Jul 31, 2011
Loved it. I have always du maurier's books and this was no different. An excellent story of a family caught in the french revolution and how it shapes their attitudes towards life. Highly recommended for du maurier's fans.
Nov 13, 2009
Kelly
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i loved the use of secret passages and learning about life as a glass-blower in this time period. it has been a while since i read this book, but i have always wanted to read it a second time.
Dec 17, 2008
Carrie
rated it:
Imagined this would be a book about glassblowers. Not so much. It is a story of a skilled family and their trials through French history from The sun king to Napoleon.
Author: Daphne Du Maurer
Publisher: Virago
Copyright: 1963
Genre: Fiction
Pages:386
Date Read- 12/9/08 to 12/17/08
Author: Daphne Du Maurer
Publisher: Virago
Copyright: 1963
Genre: Fiction
Pages:386
Date Read- 12/9/08 to 12/17/08
Mar 20, 2010
Megan
rated it:
A cool book to read while I was in France, it helped provide a more personal setting to the French Revolution. It was also neat that there is a family connection to the author.
Aug 02, 2011
The story is quite compelling, and a good little introduction to the French revolution. And like any Daphne du Maurier, the style makes it very easy to read.
Jul 08, 2009
Jenalyn C
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The French Revolution told from the working-class' point of view, which were the author's ancestors. The Fr. Rev. was appalling, but du Maurier is a master storyteller.
Feb 24, 2009
Dori
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The only Daphne du Maurier I could find in the system. Looking to read Rebecca. This was good - a great deal about the french revolution.
Oct 21, 2009
Erssie
rated it:
Was read to me as a child, and I cannot say I took it in much because it was punishment for us playing a violent game at school called Germans
Jan 14, 2011
Ann
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Little known history except by people in the industry. Interesting, intriguing and a great read.
Mar 27, 2010
Shannon
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Sweeping novel of one family's history before and during the French Revolution. Daphne du Maurier explores the ties that bind family together even when their values differ.
Apr 21, 2009
I cannot give this book a star rating because I did not finish it. I tried very hard to read this book and just could not. To me, none of the characters were likeable nor did I care about any of them. To be honest, I only got as far as page 75 and gave up. For me this is a big deal because I try to finish every book I begin.
Apr 13, 2009
Bettie
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My copy is Penguin 1969 - a story built around du Maurier's own family tree, including some dramatic moments of French history.
Aug 14, 2011
Beccy
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I love Daphne Du Maurier. Got a bit confused with the politics in the middle (French Revolution), but then it was probably a confusing time. Not as high on my list as Rebecca, but a good read.
Aug 25, 2009
Tara
rated it:
I've always loved this one. I love historical fiction and I have a fascination for the French Revolution.
Nov 08, 2011
Meredith
rated it:
A family saga, totally different in both style and substance from her other works that I have read.
Sep 30, 2011
Katrina
rated it:
3.5 stars. I enjoyed the different perspective of the French Revolution and the trade of glass blowing. I wished there was more of a "hero" figure in the novel. Understanding French would be useful too. I definitely didn't know what to expect so it was pretty refreshing in that regard. I liked her book Rebecca better, but this book was still a good read.
