What do you think?
Rate this book
Glasbläser-Saga #1
The Glassblower
In the village of Lauscha in Germany, things have been done the same way for centuries. The men blow the glass, and the women decorate and pack it. But when Joost Steinmann passes away unexpectedly one September night, his three daughters must learn to fend for themselves. While feisty Johanna takes a practical approach to looking for work, Ruth follows her heart, aiming to catch the eye of a handsome young villager. But it is dreamy, quiet Marie who has always been the most captivated by the magic—and sparkling possibilities—of the craft of glassblowing. As the spirited sisters work together to forge a brighter future for themselves on their own terms, they learn not only how to thrive in a man’s world, but how to remain true to themselves—and their hearts—in the process.
496 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2000
3427 people are currently reading
7368 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,304 reviews
December 12, 2014
I was looking forward to reading what I thought was going to be a great historical fiction, but there was barely anything historical about it. The best part was the descriptions of the glass blowing, and they were sparse and weak. The main characters were annoying and I didn't care for them at all. They were selfish, immature and whiney. The book was also filled with modern ways of thinking that didn't fit in with the time period. Add to that the sex scenes, rape scenes and violence against women....I honestly don't know how this book has so many high ratings. I won't be finishing these and most definitely would not recommend it to anyone.
October 4, 2015
I'll admit that I've never heard of German Petra Durst-Benning before, and was expecting a typical historical novel: a lot of history with a daub of romance. But what I got with The Glassblower was a great story that I couldn't put down! I had no idea that glassblowing was so intricate and is considered a man's domain. That might be because I'm an American woman and all things are possible for each one of us.
The stories of Ruth, Marie, and Johanna Steinmann are both compelling and urgent as the reader wants to know how "the women who rules the roost" will survive when their father, Joost, dies unexpectedly. Johanna is the practical one and seeks employment with her father's old wholesaler. Everything is working out fine until it doesn't. Ruth has her eyes on one of Heimer sons. After all Herr Heimer is the wealthiest glassblower in Lauscha. But it is the quiet middle sister, Marie, that will be the sisters' salvation. The artistic young woman will break the glass ceiling by creating her own designs and blowing the glass herself.
Not everything goes as planned. The sisters find themselves in dire situations while the villagers shake their heads at them. Petra Durst-Benning does a splendid job at characterization and setting. Her narration is beautiful. I can't wait to read the other 2 books in the
Glasbläser-Saga aka The Glassblower Saga!
The stories of Ruth, Marie, and Johanna Steinmann are both compelling and urgent as the reader wants to know how "the women who rules the roost" will survive when their father, Joost, dies unexpectedly. Johanna is the practical one and seeks employment with her father's old wholesaler. Everything is working out fine until it doesn't. Ruth has her eyes on one of Heimer sons. After all Herr Heimer is the wealthiest glassblower in Lauscha. But it is the quiet middle sister, Marie, that will be the sisters' salvation. The artistic young woman will break the glass ceiling by creating her own designs and blowing the glass herself.
Not everything goes as planned. The sisters find themselves in dire situations while the villagers shake their heads at them. Petra Durst-Benning does a splendid job at characterization and setting. Her narration is beautiful. I can't wait to read the other 2 books in the
Glasbläser-Saga aka The Glassblower Saga!
December 11, 2014
This is a very long book so even though I didn't finish it, I dedicated at least three days to reading it and feel I've read enough to provide a rating. At 28% I already had some quibbles: There's next to nothing historical about it. And the writing is very, very simple, nearly juvenile. It's more the writing I'd expect from a first-time author, not a bestseller. It's like middle-grade writing.
But what I hated most of all was the heroines--mainly two of them: Johanna and Ruth. Johanna comes off as selfish, snotty, ungrateful, and whiny. Why not marry Peter? He's a perfectly nice guy who cares for her and her sisters and he makes his living making glass eyeballs to help kids and adults who have lost their eyes and really need the product. But--oh, that doesn't bring in enough money. Only the hint of him making glass animals instead--pointless but with a profit--gets her attention even remotely.
I wanted to slap her to the moon.
Ruth is no better. Dumb, dumb, dumb.
And then every now and then we go to this weird shop keeper who is always trying to eat his lips. I'm not even going to go there. He is just weird. Weird. Weird.
There are too many books out there much better than this one. Moving on.
But what I hated most of all was the heroines--mainly two of them: Johanna and Ruth. Johanna comes off as selfish, snotty, ungrateful, and whiny. Why not marry Peter? He's a perfectly nice guy who cares for her and her sisters and he makes his living making glass eyeballs to help kids and adults who have lost their eyes and really need the product. But--oh, that doesn't bring in enough money. Only the hint of him making glass animals instead--pointless but with a profit--gets her attention even remotely.
I wanted to slap her to the moon.
Ruth is no better. Dumb, dumb, dumb.
And then every now and then we go to this weird shop keeper who is always trying to eat his lips. I'm not even going to go there. He is just weird. Weird. Weird.
There are too many books out there much better than this one. Moving on.
October 18, 2015
DNF~ 60%
I can't stand to waste another second on this book when I have so many others to read that I will actually enjoy. Unlikable characters can make an interesting and good book but that depends on what makes them unlikable. The girls in this story are just stupid and selfish and Peter was borderline pathetic. Plus I have figured out that glassblowing holds no interest for me whatsoever. So I was bouncing back and forth between characters I couldn't stand and a subject that bored me. Not to mention the audiobook narrator was total crap. Sorry.
I can't stand to waste another second on this book when I have so many others to read that I will actually enjoy. Unlikable characters can make an interesting and good book but that depends on what makes them unlikable. The girls in this story are just stupid and selfish and Peter was borderline pathetic. Plus I have figured out that glassblowing holds no interest for me whatsoever. So I was bouncing back and forth between characters I couldn't stand and a subject that bored me. Not to mention the audiobook narrator was total crap. Sorry.
October 1, 2014
The Glassblower by Petra Durst-Benning is the first book in The Glassblower Trilogy and was originally published in 2003 in German. This astounding work of cultural and historical romance is beautifully rendered into English by Samuel Willcocks, and the novel will be of immense delight to anyone with a bit of interest in German history and culture. There is much more than I anticipated in the book. Apart from the joy of reading it, the book leaves a comforting feeling that everyone can be happy in his own way, if one is brave enough to set one’s priorities right.
In the book author Petra Durst-Benning tells the story of the three young Steinmann sisters who live in the glassblowing village of Lauscha in Germany at the end of the nineteenth century and early years of the twentieth century. Johanna, Ruth and Marie must look after themselves when their father Joost Steinmann passes away unexpectedly one September night. But making a livelihood in the village is easier said than done as glassblowing is a male-dominated craft. The Steinmann sisters are so well-conceived and developed that their characters are so lifelike and believable. As you leaf through the pages, you will laugh and cry with them, and at times feel the need to reprove them.
Beautifully written and well-researched, Petra Durst-Benning painted a sweeping portrait of the fascinating characters that populated the book as well as the profession which they are involved in. The Glassblower is a fascinating lesson in German culture and history, and without ever exceeding the limit of credibility, the author brilliantly crafted a powerful story of women’s emancipation, the ideals and aspiration that is burning within each individual even within the confines of a hopeless situation and how one can be happy and content in one’s condition if one’s heart is in it.
In the book author Petra Durst-Benning tells the story of the three young Steinmann sisters who live in the glassblowing village of Lauscha in Germany at the end of the nineteenth century and early years of the twentieth century. Johanna, Ruth and Marie must look after themselves when their father Joost Steinmann passes away unexpectedly one September night. But making a livelihood in the village is easier said than done as glassblowing is a male-dominated craft. The Steinmann sisters are so well-conceived and developed that their characters are so lifelike and believable. As you leaf through the pages, you will laugh and cry with them, and at times feel the need to reprove them.
Beautifully written and well-researched, Petra Durst-Benning painted a sweeping portrait of the fascinating characters that populated the book as well as the profession which they are involved in. The Glassblower is a fascinating lesson in German culture and history, and without ever exceeding the limit of credibility, the author brilliantly crafted a powerful story of women’s emancipation, the ideals and aspiration that is burning within each individual even within the confines of a hopeless situation and how one can be happy and content in one’s condition if one’s heart is in it.
October 4, 2014
I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this novel! It is beautifully written and each of the characters are so wonderfully developed. I received this book through Amazon's Kindle First book of the month. The books I have gotten through this program in the past have been sort of hit and miss, but this one was a real treat. This book reminded me of one of my all-time favorite novels, Fall on Your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald, in that it is another historical fiction novel that centers primary on three very close, yet very different, sisters. Originally published in German several years ago, this novel is part of a trilogy that is in the process of being translated to the English language for the first time. This first offering in the series will be making making its English debut on November 1, 2014.
Taking place at the end of the nineteenth century, we are introduced to the Steinmann family. Joost Steinmann is a glassblower who lives in a small German village with his three daughters, his wife having passed away some years before. Like most other households in their tiny town, the men blow the glass and the women decorate the beautifully crafted pieces. However, when their beloved father suddenly passes away, the young sisters must find a way to take care of and support themselves, often with results that vary between highly impressive and utterly heartbreaking. Having been sheltered and protected by their father, the women have a lot to learn.
Each of the Steinmann sisters brings something unique and delightful to the table. Johanna, the eldest, is smart and resourceful, with a determination to care for her sisters. Ruth, the romantic, longs to get married and isn't afraid to follow her heart. The youngest of the sisters, Marie, is the artist and the dreamer, and often underestimated by her older sisters.
I would highly recommend this novel to any one who enjoys historical fiction, or has any interest in German culture. The art of glassblowing was clearly thoroughly research by the author, and it was interesting to read about this under appreciated craft. I will most certainly be reading the next two installments of this saga!
This review also appears on my blog, Reading Rachael.
Taking place at the end of the nineteenth century, we are introduced to the Steinmann family. Joost Steinmann is a glassblower who lives in a small German village with his three daughters, his wife having passed away some years before. Like most other households in their tiny town, the men blow the glass and the women decorate the beautifully crafted pieces. However, when their beloved father suddenly passes away, the young sisters must find a way to take care of and support themselves, often with results that vary between highly impressive and utterly heartbreaking. Having been sheltered and protected by their father, the women have a lot to learn.
Each of the Steinmann sisters brings something unique and delightful to the table. Johanna, the eldest, is smart and resourceful, with a determination to care for her sisters. Ruth, the romantic, longs to get married and isn't afraid to follow her heart. The youngest of the sisters, Marie, is the artist and the dreamer, and often underestimated by her older sisters.
I would highly recommend this novel to any one who enjoys historical fiction, or has any interest in German culture. The art of glassblowing was clearly thoroughly research by the author, and it was interesting to read about this under appreciated craft. I will most certainly be reading the next two installments of this saga!
This review also appears on my blog, Reading Rachael.
December 14, 2014
Usually I attempt to persist with books that I feel tempted to drop, or at least to give them some more time and a second chance to prove me wrong, that they get more interesting and live up to their summaries. Rarely do I try to drop a book so early into it. But in this case I’ve had enough at 26% to come to a verdict:
“The Glassblower” is not historical fiction, nor is it a particularly good book, regardless of the genre it is.
Considering that the plot focuses on three young girls who were living pretty independently during their father’s death they sure were immature and foolish, or at least two of the three were in particular. Ruth, Marie and Johanna are all so similar and equally annoying that it’s difficult to not only care for any of them but to even tell them apart from each other. I understand that the author was attempting to set some sort of context with the time period but making your lead characters so painstakingly annoying is no way to try and win over a reader.
In fact, for a book that stresses the fact that their father’s death was so traumatic and important to them, the girls sure move on pretty quickly and not only that. Their constant contradictions about wanting to marry and then complaining about the men not being good enough turned the whole book into a German soap opera that I didn’t sign up for nor wanted to continue any further than I did.
Besides the things I mentioned above there isn’t much else. The 26% that I read was basically whining, a cast of very undeveloped characters being tossed around despite the fact that none of them were distinctive, and no perspective on where the book would go next. Throw in a lot of lengthy paragraphs about things that acted as space fillers rather than story developments and I gave up. There’s nothing in this book that’s appealing. It doesn’t live up to any of the things the summary makes it out to be. It’s a very floppy, wordy attempt at a historical fiction novel that barely sets its time period properly. It’s cast of characters is unappealing and aggravating. In short:
This is a literary hurdle I have no desire in jumping over as it isn’t worth the struggle.
“The Glassblower” is not historical fiction, nor is it a particularly good book, regardless of the genre it is.
Considering that the plot focuses on three young girls who were living pretty independently during their father’s death they sure were immature and foolish, or at least two of the three were in particular. Ruth, Marie and Johanna are all so similar and equally annoying that it’s difficult to not only care for any of them but to even tell them apart from each other. I understand that the author was attempting to set some sort of context with the time period but making your lead characters so painstakingly annoying is no way to try and win over a reader.
In fact, for a book that stresses the fact that their father’s death was so traumatic and important to them, the girls sure move on pretty quickly and not only that. Their constant contradictions about wanting to marry and then complaining about the men not being good enough turned the whole book into a German soap opera that I didn’t sign up for nor wanted to continue any further than I did.
Besides the things I mentioned above there isn’t much else. The 26% that I read was basically whining, a cast of very undeveloped characters being tossed around despite the fact that none of them were distinctive, and no perspective on where the book would go next. Throw in a lot of lengthy paragraphs about things that acted as space fillers rather than story developments and I gave up. There’s nothing in this book that’s appealing. It doesn’t live up to any of the things the summary makes it out to be. It’s a very floppy, wordy attempt at a historical fiction novel that barely sets its time period properly. It’s cast of characters is unappealing and aggravating. In short:
This is a literary hurdle I have no desire in jumping over as it isn’t worth the struggle.
November 5, 2014
It is probably not very fair that I picked this up right after Sanderson's Way of Kings and Words of Radiance; it just doesn't bear up well under comparison.
I did finish the book after contemplating quitting at about 25%, so it's not unreadable. But it was just so simple. Simple sentences, simple plots, basic dialogue, basic ideas. It's a lot of showing rather than telling, so there isn't anything to bring you in as a participant in the story. It all feels very distant. Nothing unexpected, not even any depth in the information about historic glass blowing and commerce.
This may be due to the fact that it's a translation, but the language is very modern and it's difficult to reconcile the time period with the words and actions of the characters. There are also large gaps of time or action that we know what happened, but we don't get to see any of it. Like action that takes place off stage in a play. At least in a play you have the opportunity to create some tension or comedy with sound or the reactions of those onstage, but in this book those chunks of important plot are just missing. They are simply referred to or discussed later, but we never got to witness them.
Anyway, it just wasn't very enticing or sophisticated and I won't be seeking out the sequels.
I did finish the book after contemplating quitting at about 25%, so it's not unreadable. But it was just so simple. Simple sentences, simple plots, basic dialogue, basic ideas. It's a lot of showing rather than telling, so there isn't anything to bring you in as a participant in the story. It all feels very distant. Nothing unexpected, not even any depth in the information about historic glass blowing and commerce.
This may be due to the fact that it's a translation, but the language is very modern and it's difficult to reconcile the time period with the words and actions of the characters. There are also large gaps of time or action that we know what happened, but we don't get to see any of it. Like action that takes place off stage in a play. At least in a play you have the opportunity to create some tension or comedy with sound or the reactions of those onstage, but in this book those chunks of important plot are just missing. They are simply referred to or discussed later, but we never got to witness them.
Anyway, it just wasn't very enticing or sophisticated and I won't be seeking out the sequels.
October 26, 2014
This was another of the free books provided with my Amazon Prime membership, and this one was a winner. Well written, excellent character development, interesting plot that gradually draws the reader in until fully hooked, and wanting more. Lo and behold, it is a trilogy - so there will be more! The main characters are women who take on an nontraditional role, which adds to the appeal of the novel. I will definitely read the second book of the trilogy.
April 15, 2016
I really wanted to like this book and looked forward to reading it based on all the good reviews and hype. Boy, was I sadly disappointed! It read like "fluff". It was so tedious and long winded, boring. I can't tell you how many times I just wanted to put it down and start a new book which would probably be better. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone.
November 10, 2014
It's rare that I find a book where I just couldn't care less about the characters. I only got a fraction of the way through the book before I gave up, I don't want to waste my time on characters as useless as these three women.
stuff like...
... does not endear me to a character, a story or an author; I'm a guy and I felt offended for the women.
Author is getting black listed from me... never to be read again
stuff like...
... does not endear me to a character, a story or an author; I'm a guy and I felt offended for the women.
Author is getting black listed from me... never to be read again
January 20, 2015
I can't believe I finished it...there was just enough plot to get through to the end. It is definitely misclassified as historical fiction. This book is a romance novel and should be classified as such. I am not sure if it is the writing or the translation, but the author adds much too much "modern thought" to her annoying heroines. Using such terms as her husbands "buddies" and referring to her pregnant figure as her "bump". It is supposed to be set in the late 1800s. The three sisters aren't inspirational or engaging. The plot lines jump and shift and characters seem to be left hanging or enter the story randomly. Every so often I would get begin to enjoy the storyline...thus 2 stars instead of one. I like fun trilogy fiction, but this isn't worth finishing the series.
December 21, 2019
A wonderful tale about three sisters living in a small German village called Lauscha where the main source of income is glass blowing. It is a man’s job and when the father of the sisters dies they must find a way to support themselves.
In doing so they are each taken on different journeys as they discover their own strengths and skills. Their story is one of hardship, facing difficulties, trauma, love, loss, courage, family and friendship.
The book is written so well it draws you into the story and their lives. It is very emotional at times but a wonderful read.
I had to buy the other books in the series straight away as it’s such a great read.
In doing so they are each taken on different journeys as they discover their own strengths and skills. Their story is one of hardship, facing difficulties, trauma, love, loss, courage, family and friendship.
The book is written so well it draws you into the story and their lives. It is very emotional at times but a wonderful read.
I had to buy the other books in the series straight away as it’s such a great read.
February 18, 2016
Warning: Possible Spoilers!!!
I liked this book at first. It was interesting getting to know the three main characters, sisters who were forced to make their own way after the death of their father in late 1890s Germany. Previously they worked for their father, who was a Glassblower with his own shop. We follow them as they gain employment quickly (conveniently) and eventually run a shop of their own with the help of some neighbors. Things really started to go downhill rapidly toward the end. The characters became more one dimensional and stereotypical. One of the sisters ended up marrying a drunk abusive man who, once she left him, began to stalk her and beg for her to come back to him. That same woman fell immediately in love another man who, of course, fell immediately in love with her. Their relationship was "perfect" and disgustingly sweet. Reading about their romance was eye roll-inducing. "Not a day has gone by when I do not yearn for you morning, noon and night. Sometimes I even wake at night and see your angelic face before me. I hear your voice and the wonderful things you say. Sometimes I long for you so much it hurts", wrote Steven to Ruth. And don't get me started discussing their sex scene. I was alternately laughing and shaking my head during that. The writing at that the end of the book reminded me of the sappy crap my friends and I wrote when we were pre-teens. Ultimately this is one of those books that start out well enough but falls flat and gets wrapped up at the end with a nice little bow. I was glad when I finally finished it. I understand that this book is the first in a series of three. I don't read many series and I can safely say that I won't continue with this one.
I liked this book at first. It was interesting getting to know the three main characters, sisters who were forced to make their own way after the death of their father in late 1890s Germany. Previously they worked for their father, who was a Glassblower with his own shop. We follow them as they gain employment quickly (conveniently) and eventually run a shop of their own with the help of some neighbors. Things really started to go downhill rapidly toward the end. The characters became more one dimensional and stereotypical. One of the sisters ended up marrying a drunk abusive man who, once she left him, began to stalk her and beg for her to come back to him. That same woman fell immediately in love another man who, of course, fell immediately in love with her. Their relationship was "perfect" and disgustingly sweet. Reading about their romance was eye roll-inducing. "Not a day has gone by when I do not yearn for you morning, noon and night. Sometimes I even wake at night and see your angelic face before me. I hear your voice and the wonderful things you say. Sometimes I long for you so much it hurts", wrote Steven to Ruth. And don't get me started discussing their sex scene. I was alternately laughing and shaking my head during that. The writing at that the end of the book reminded me of the sappy crap my friends and I wrote when we were pre-teens. Ultimately this is one of those books that start out well enough but falls flat and gets wrapped up at the end with a nice little bow. I was glad when I finally finished it. I understand that this book is the first in a series of three. I don't read many series and I can safely say that I won't continue with this one.
December 30, 2014
The Glassblower by Petra Durst-Benning is the first book in a trilogy. The book is a wonderful story of determination and survival in a harsh world in the late 1900s. It is an historical fiction novel that highlights the glass industry (nonfiction) and the Steinmann sisters: Joanna, Ruth and Marie (fiction).
Historically glass bulbs for Christmas Trees were first invented in Lauscha, Germany. There is a long tradition of men blowing glass while the women painted and packed the glass. Often it was entire families working together and selling their goods to a middleman who then sold it to another business. The women who worked for other families made very little money and struggled to survive. It is in this environment the Steinmann women need to find their way after their father’s death. While each is trying to find “their way” we are introduced to new characters that are keys to the sisters’ story lines (both negatively and positively). The novel highlights their discoveries within themselves, each other and as a family.
I was hesitant to read this book when it was suggested as a read for our book club. I felt the length and the time of year would be issues. That was a mistake. This book told such a great story that I found myself wanted to read more and more. I felt I read more quickly because of the interest level and the connection that I could make with the universal traits of the main characters. The historical aspect was also fascinating. The Glassblower by Petra Durst-Benning was a great read. I will look forward to reading the next book when it is available.
Historically glass bulbs for Christmas Trees were first invented in Lauscha, Germany. There is a long tradition of men blowing glass while the women painted and packed the glass. Often it was entire families working together and selling their goods to a middleman who then sold it to another business. The women who worked for other families made very little money and struggled to survive. It is in this environment the Steinmann women need to find their way after their father’s death. While each is trying to find “their way” we are introduced to new characters that are keys to the sisters’ story lines (both negatively and positively). The novel highlights their discoveries within themselves, each other and as a family.
I was hesitant to read this book when it was suggested as a read for our book club. I felt the length and the time of year would be issues. That was a mistake. This book told such a great story that I found myself wanted to read more and more. I felt I read more quickly because of the interest level and the connection that I could make with the universal traits of the main characters. The historical aspect was also fascinating. The Glassblower by Petra Durst-Benning was a great read. I will look forward to reading the next book when it is available.
January 10, 2015
This book is very confused on what genre it wants to be. I enjoyed the historical glassblowing aspects but I felt there were random "bodice ripping" and even S&M scenes added in where not needed. A lot of it was distracting, often annoying, and hard to believe.
July 1, 2016
I received this book for free as part of the Kindle First program. I was intrigued at the description given; the story of three sisters in late-19th century Germany, who must make a life for themselves after their father's death in a male-dominated society and industry. I found the storyline to be engaging, the characters to have growth and depth, and best of all-- I am eager for the release of the next book in the trilogy! My only complaint is that at times, I found the translation from the original German to be rather dry. There were some moments in the story that were absolutely filled with emotion and yet they fell flat.
It's always a treat to read about an art, an industry, a slice of life of which I am otherwise ignorant. I felt transported to the little village of Lauscha, and I could hear the sounds of the tinkling glass and the murmur of people busily working at their various tasks in the workshop. As each sister experienced her own tragedies and struggles, I empathized with her and wanted everything to work out. As this is only the first book in the trilogy, it remains to be seen if things will indeed "work out," but so far, I love the direction this story is heading!
It's always a treat to read about an art, an industry, a slice of life of which I am otherwise ignorant. I felt transported to the little village of Lauscha, and I could hear the sounds of the tinkling glass and the murmur of people busily working at their various tasks in the workshop. As each sister experienced her own tragedies and struggles, I empathized with her and wanted everything to work out. As this is only the first book in the trilogy, it remains to be seen if things will indeed "work out," but so far, I love the direction this story is heading!
July 20, 2015
This book was hard to get through and extremely boring at times. The author spent more time having the characters whine and complain about their life than actually do anything about it. I couldn't connect with any of characters, all of them were immature and hypocritical. Most chapters had them complaining about not getting enough work or not getting paid enough. Then when they did work it was too much and they were too tired to do anything else.
Reading a story about a bunch of people bitching is not my cup of tea. Plus all the male characters were either one extreme end or the other. Nice or male chauvinistic pigs.
I was disappointed that there was barely any talk of glass making or the process involved. When any characters were making glass the descriptions were rushed and minimal as though the author was bored about writing these kinds of details.
Interesting story concept but poor execution. A book that definitely needs a complete rewrite! I can say for sure I will not be reading any sequels.
Reading a story about a bunch of people bitching is not my cup of tea. Plus all the male characters were either one extreme end or the other. Nice or male chauvinistic pigs.
I was disappointed that there was barely any talk of glass making or the process involved. When any characters were making glass the descriptions were rushed and minimal as though the author was bored about writing these kinds of details.
Interesting story concept but poor execution. A book that definitely needs a complete rewrite! I can say for sure I will not be reading any sequels.
September 18, 2016
3 de 5 estrellas ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Me ha gustado)
No tenía ni idea de el lugar ni del proceso de la fabricación del vidrio y este libro me ha permitido apreciar objetos que tenemos en casa y de los que nunca nos preguntamos nada o no apreciamos lo suficiente, claro que, el libro está situado en una época donde todo se hacía a mano y con suma paciencia.
Tres mujeres, tres hermanas con una personalidad distinta toman diferentes posturas ante la vida tras la repentina muerte de su padre.
Crecieron entre algodones sin preocuparse absolutamente de su subsistencia hasta que su padre y muere y entonces, deben tomar las riendas y pasar por duras situaciones que personalmente me ha encantado leer.
El libro es de carácter costumbrista y es lentito pero agradable. No es una novela que se te quede grabada ni seguramente va a ser de tus favoritas del año pero es amena y se aprende del valor, de salir adelante y de tener fe.
No tenía ni idea de el lugar ni del proceso de la fabricación del vidrio y este libro me ha permitido apreciar objetos que tenemos en casa y de los que nunca nos preguntamos nada o no apreciamos lo suficiente, claro que, el libro está situado en una época donde todo se hacía a mano y con suma paciencia.
Tres mujeres, tres hermanas con una personalidad distinta toman diferentes posturas ante la vida tras la repentina muerte de su padre.
Crecieron entre algodones sin preocuparse absolutamente de su subsistencia hasta que su padre y muere y entonces, deben tomar las riendas y pasar por duras situaciones que personalmente me ha encantado leer.
El libro es de carácter costumbrista y es lentito pero agradable. No es una novela que se te quede grabada ni seguramente va a ser de tus favoritas del año pero es amena y se aprende del valor, de salir adelante y de tener fe.
December 30, 2014
This was presented as historical fiction; it's not. I tried to stick with it, but drowned in language anachronisms and historical inaccuracies. At "mound of Venus" I was O-U-T!!!!!!
August 21, 2015
I was annoyed at all the modern colloquialisms in what was supposed to be an historical novel. Didn't realize until the end that is was translated into English. Might have been better in German.
January 11, 2021
Mi sono piaciute molto le tre sorelle di Lauscha, in Turingia (patria delle palle di vetro degli alberi di Natale - di cui siamo ancora agli albori), tre giovani intraprendenti, che alla morte del padre non si lasciano scoraggiare e prima vanno a lavorare per altri soffiatori di vetro e per un agente nella vicina cittadina di Sonneberg, ma poi si dedicano all'attività per proprio conto, forti del fatto che Marie, la più piccola, sia una vera artista, con idee sempre nuove e brillanti.
Le tre ragazze si trovano davanti una strada tutta in salita a causa dei pregiudizi sulle donne (che non possono soffiare il vetro, che non hanno opinioni degne di essere prese in considerazione, e quindi non hanno potere decisionale), e si troveranno ad affrontare degli ostacoli dolorosissimi sulle loro strade: paghe da fame per il solo fatto di essere donne, licenziamenti, pettegolezzi maligni, e poi anche stupro e volenza domestica, ma le loro qualità e la loro determinazione le faranno uscire dalle difficoltà.
La loro fortuna - che Johanna, Ruth e Marie si sono cercata; non è certo piovuta loro dal cielo! - è dovuta soprattutto al fatto che in quegli anni Frank Woolworth stava rivoluzionando la vendita al dettaglio nei suoi magazzini, girando il mondo alla ricerca di oggetti particolari e originali da vendere, e facendo tappa a Sonneberg per acquistare i vetri di Lauscha, e in particolare le decorazioni per gli alberi di Natale degli americani.
All'inizio il romanzo è narrato in modo un po' freddo, piatto, ma l'ho trovato adatto allo spirito tedesco del libro.
Le tre ragazze si trovano davanti una strada tutta in salita a causa dei pregiudizi sulle donne (che non possono soffiare il vetro, che non hanno opinioni degne di essere prese in considerazione, e quindi non hanno potere decisionale), e si troveranno ad affrontare degli ostacoli dolorosissimi sulle loro strade: paghe da fame per il solo fatto di essere donne, licenziamenti, pettegolezzi maligni, e poi anche stupro e volenza domestica, ma le loro qualità e la loro determinazione le faranno uscire dalle difficoltà.
La loro fortuna - che Johanna, Ruth e Marie si sono cercata; non è certo piovuta loro dal cielo! - è dovuta soprattutto al fatto che in quegli anni Frank Woolworth stava rivoluzionando la vendita al dettaglio nei suoi magazzini, girando il mondo alla ricerca di oggetti particolari e originali da vendere, e facendo tappa a Sonneberg per acquistare i vetri di Lauscha, e in particolare le decorazioni per gli alberi di Natale degli americani.
All'inizio il romanzo è narrato in modo un po' freddo, piatto, ma l'ho trovato adatto allo spirito tedesco del libro.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2018
Three sisters in Lauscha Germany find themselves in dire straits after their father passes away. Left to make their own way, creativity became the order of the day. Living in the 1890s, their options were limited.
Each sister is spotlighted with their equally strong but very different personalities as they struggle to survive and thrive. The author chose to write in plenty of sibling rivalry which I found to be quite realistic. At times I found the conflict exhausting and wanted to shake them myself. This is not Little Women!
This is not really true historical fiction, but there are interesting historical tidbits to be found. It is written as a trilogy, so it will be interesting to see the direction the author takes .I'll at least commit to reading installation number two.
Each sister is spotlighted with their equally strong but very different personalities as they struggle to survive and thrive. The author chose to write in plenty of sibling rivalry which I found to be quite realistic. At times I found the conflict exhausting and wanted to shake them myself. This is not Little Women!
This is not really true historical fiction, but there are interesting historical tidbits to be found. It is written as a trilogy, so it will be interesting to see the direction the author takes .I'll at least commit to reading installation number two.
March 17, 2015
So I bought this book because it was free on my Amazon.com trial account. I really wanted to like it, but I was more than half way through the book and it felt like I chore. Started skimming just to finish.
Hated Thomas, Eva, majority of the W. family, and S. (owner of the shop) Peter was somewhat annoying at times and also somewhat predictable. Maybe he and Marie will end up together. Ruth drove me nuts but I feel as if she is relate-able to some females. Though she did come off as spoiled to me and too naive thinking everything would be fine as long as it's all about her and her daughter Wanda. Marie I really enjoyed her artistic talent and how determined she was to continue what she wanted to pursue, yet I felt her under developed as a character. There could be so much more there, but this is a trilogy so guess you'll find out. At the same point in time I also really loved Johanna's wit and ambition. Was thrilled that she told off her former employer and how eager she seemed to be for her new position. Her wanting to be there for her sisters stuck a chord with me and then what happened to her well... saw that coming.
Also SPOILERS AHEAD the rape scene reminded me of something that maybe would have been written in "50 Shades of Grey" and all the talk of being a submissive and she deserved this? Really? After that is when I started skimming. Also, for someone who is so outspoken why couldn't she have told her sister Ruth that NO she had to be at the shop and not stay with her and her niece for photos? I understand the rape scene had to happen and would have happened without Ruth insisting she was with her and Wanda for photos but I just kept thinking why could Johanna tell her the men in her life and is feisty with her sisters but can't tell her sister 'No I have to be at the shop!' To me, did not seem to align with her character.
Did enjoy the descriptions of the town, the city, and where Marie got her ideas. Who knows? Maybe this will be one of those books that I'm not a fan of now but will pick it up years later and will enjoy it.
Hated Thomas, Eva, majority of the W. family, and S. (owner of the shop) Peter was somewhat annoying at times and also somewhat predictable. Maybe he and Marie will end up together. Ruth drove me nuts but I feel as if she is relate-able to some females. Though she did come off as spoiled to me and too naive thinking everything would be fine as long as it's all about her and her daughter Wanda. Marie I really enjoyed her artistic talent and how determined she was to continue what she wanted to pursue, yet I felt her under developed as a character. There could be so much more there, but this is a trilogy so guess you'll find out. At the same point in time I also really loved Johanna's wit and ambition. Was thrilled that she told off her former employer and how eager she seemed to be for her new position. Her wanting to be there for her sisters stuck a chord with me and then what happened to her well... saw that coming.
Also SPOILERS AHEAD the rape scene reminded me of something that maybe would have been written in "50 Shades of Grey" and all the talk of being a submissive and she deserved this? Really? After that is when I started skimming. Also, for someone who is so outspoken why couldn't she have told her sister Ruth that NO she had to be at the shop and not stay with her and her niece for photos? I understand the rape scene had to happen and would have happened without Ruth insisting she was with her and Wanda for photos but I just kept thinking why could Johanna tell her the men in her life and is feisty with her sisters but can't tell her sister 'No I have to be at the shop!' To me, did not seem to align with her character.
Did enjoy the descriptions of the town, the city, and where Marie got her ideas. Who knows? Maybe this will be one of those books that I'm not a fan of now but will pick it up years later and will enjoy it.
April 21, 2016
While this was sometimes an enjoyable read, it was far too formulaic in places for my taste.
**SPOILER ALERT**
It definitely followed the classic path of fiction:
1. introduce characters
2. make characters experience conflict
3. wrap up all conflict
4. everyone gets a ridiculously happy ending
The conflict was all mashed together in the middle. Some horrific things happened to everyone all at once so much so that it was overkill. Even just spreading out the misery would have made it less of a hitting-me-over-the-head kind of journey. And everyone seems to get past their traumas with basically no lasting effects beyond some general disliking of men that only lasts for a few chapters.
It ended way too tidily for me. All loose ends wrapped up so everyone could be happy even if they never seemed to be heading in that direction. The woman that never felt she would fall in love with the brother-like character that pursued her for years suddenly and out of nowhere falls in love with him over the span of a few pages...and he's still waiting around for her. The sister that left her husband so easily gets a new identity and leaves him for another man she thinks is perfect for her (just like the first one) and who loves her child with no reservations about the child's father. The youngest sister that gets into a traditionally male trade has absolutely no hiccups in the launching of her business, just more and more orders for her work.
The one character pairing I was actually interested to see come together was Marie and Magnus. The author seemed to forget about all the allusions to them ending up together and you never hear about it again after they go into business together.
This is a good sized book and I'm sad I spent so much time on it rather than something better.
**SPOILER ALERT**
It definitely followed the classic path of fiction:
1. introduce characters
2. make characters experience conflict
3. wrap up all conflict
4. everyone gets a ridiculously happy ending
The conflict was all mashed together in the middle. Some horrific things happened to everyone all at once so much so that it was overkill. Even just spreading out the misery would have made it less of a hitting-me-over-the-head kind of journey. And everyone seems to get past their traumas with basically no lasting effects beyond some general disliking of men that only lasts for a few chapters.
It ended way too tidily for me. All loose ends wrapped up so everyone could be happy even if they never seemed to be heading in that direction. The woman that never felt she would fall in love with the brother-like character that pursued her for years suddenly and out of nowhere falls in love with him over the span of a few pages...and he's still waiting around for her. The sister that left her husband so easily gets a new identity and leaves him for another man she thinks is perfect for her (just like the first one) and who loves her child with no reservations about the child's father. The youngest sister that gets into a traditionally male trade has absolutely no hiccups in the launching of her business, just more and more orders for her work.
The one character pairing I was actually interested to see come together was Marie and Magnus. The author seemed to forget about all the allusions to them ending up together and you never hear about it again after they go into business together.
This is a good sized book and I'm sad I spent so much time on it rather than something better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2014
3 ½ Stars
The Glassblower is the first book in The Glassblower Trilogy by Petra Durst-Benning.
The Glassblower is the story of three sisters Johanna, Ruth and Marie, who grew up protected by their loving father, Joost Steinmann. When Joost suddenly passes away, the three sisters find themselves without a job and without the protection of a man. They worked for their father in his glassblowing business and now they don’t know what to do with their lives. They can’t follow their father’s steps because glassblowing is a profession exclusively for men.
Forced to look after themselves they realized the good life they had is far behind and to succeed they will have to work hard and fight for what they want.
The three sisters are very different from each other. The eldest, Johanna, is the businesswoman of the family. She has high ambitions and it’s willing to go out of her comfort zone to obtain what she wants, sadly not always with good results.
Ruth is the middle sister and the romantic of the lot. She wants a husband and a family to call her own, but her naiveté doesn’t let her see what is clear to others.
The youngest sister, Marie, is the artist of the family. She dreams of glass, designs and beauty. She is determined to follow her dreams and is willing to go against tradition or anything that opposes her dreams.
Read the rest of my review at The Bookaholic Cat
The Glassblower is the first book in The Glassblower Trilogy by Petra Durst-Benning.
The Glassblower is the story of three sisters Johanna, Ruth and Marie, who grew up protected by their loving father, Joost Steinmann. When Joost suddenly passes away, the three sisters find themselves without a job and without the protection of a man. They worked for their father in his glassblowing business and now they don’t know what to do with their lives. They can’t follow their father’s steps because glassblowing is a profession exclusively for men.
Forced to look after themselves they realized the good life they had is far behind and to succeed they will have to work hard and fight for what they want.
The three sisters are very different from each other. The eldest, Johanna, is the businesswoman of the family. She has high ambitions and it’s willing to go out of her comfort zone to obtain what she wants, sadly not always with good results.
Ruth is the middle sister and the romantic of the lot. She wants a husband and a family to call her own, but her naiveté doesn’t let her see what is clear to others.
The youngest sister, Marie, is the artist of the family. She dreams of glass, designs and beauty. She is determined to follow her dreams and is willing to go against tradition or anything that opposes her dreams.
Read the rest of my review at The Bookaholic Cat
August 6, 2016
I have mixed feelings about this story. I read through it rather quickly, feeling compelled to find out what happened to the characters, and while it was entertaining, I finished feeling a little dissatisfied. What drew me to this book initially was the historical aspect and the story of three young women pioneering in a male dominated field. I read through all the hardships they endured, mostly anticipating this part, but unfortunately by the time we got to it, the book was more than half over and I felt what should have been the meat of the story was sort of glossed over. Or at least rushed. Marie turned out to be the most compelling female character, and I wish the book had been solely in her POV so we could've gotten to know her better. I didn't identify with Ruth, and found myself not caring so much about her romantic exploits. Joanna started off strong, particularly when we were in her head as she grew accustomed to her new job. I liked her take-charge attitude. But after the 'incident' with her employer, she kind of faded to the background. I think that the multiple POV's watered down the emotion somewhat for me, and I felt like I didn't really get to know any of the characters as much as I would've liked. That may be personal preference for me, as I tend to like deep, close POV stories. Overall not a bad story, and I definitely cared enough to finish. I think I just wanted a little bit more.
November 2, 2019
In the village Lauscha in Germany, the three Steinmann sisters, Johanna, Ruth and Marie, have grown up learning the glassblower business of the time. When their father dies, they have to learn a new approach to carrying on their father’s work. They step away from the traditional way where women did the packing, while the men did the actual blowing of the glass and step into a man’s world where they each learn to blow, pack and market the products.
I really enjoyed learning about the origin of glassblowing and the way the Steinmann sisters move into the production of Christmas tree ornaments for export to America. The description of the characters was close and vivid. I felt for them in their struggles to continue their business in a man’s world while still in shock after their father’s death. I also really, really enjoyed the descriptions of the new and innovative artwork leading up to production of the new Christmas ornaments. I felt this book was captivating and I made sure to get each new release in The Glassblower Saga as it was published.
I highly recommend this work to readers of historical fiction and fans of Petra Durst-Benning’s other works.
(All opinions in this review are my own)
I really enjoyed learning about the origin of glassblowing and the way the Steinmann sisters move into the production of Christmas tree ornaments for export to America. The description of the characters was close and vivid. I felt for them in their struggles to continue their business in a man’s world while still in shock after their father’s death. I also really, really enjoyed the descriptions of the new and innovative artwork leading up to production of the new Christmas ornaments. I felt this book was captivating and I made sure to get each new release in The Glassblower Saga as it was published.
I highly recommend this work to readers of historical fiction and fans of Petra Durst-Benning’s other works.
(All opinions in this review are my own)
December 8, 2014
The Steinmann sisters help their father in his glassblowing business. But when he dies unexpectedly one day they are left to fend for themselves. Typically woman don't run their own business. So each sister sets out to find a way to support them. Each sister takes a different approach to their predicament and each sister must find her own peace and way through life.
The story started out painfully slow. It reminded me a lot of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, ironically enough. Starts out so slow you almost fall asleep and stays that way for about 200 pages. Then the story picks up, but the sex and violence are frequent and graphic. The problem was this book never grabbed me like The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo finally did. It just kept dragging on. The sisters fight all the time. It never stops. This author is a best-seller in Germany so I think part of the problem may have been the translation. I kept getting glimpses of something great, but it was fleeting. I wanted so badly to like this story, but I just couldn't.
I received this book free of charge from Goodreads in exchange for my honest review.
The story started out painfully slow. It reminded me a lot of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, ironically enough. Starts out so slow you almost fall asleep and stays that way for about 200 pages. Then the story picks up, but the sex and violence are frequent and graphic. The problem was this book never grabbed me like The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo finally did. It just kept dragging on. The sisters fight all the time. It never stops. This author is a best-seller in Germany so I think part of the problem may have been the translation. I kept getting glimpses of something great, but it was fleeting. I wanted so badly to like this story, but I just couldn't.
I received this book free of charge from Goodreads in exchange for my honest review.
October 17, 2014
I thought this was a very pleasing read. I'd probably call it 4.5 stars rather than quite 5.0 but nevertheless I enjoyed it a lot.
The book follows the lives of the Steinnmann sisters, following the death of their father. The characters are believable and the dynamic between them was well portrayed. The whole book is credible and formed a nice story.
I think part of my enjoyment stemmed from it being a bit different. With no knowledge of Lauscha, or its glassblowing heritage, it played on a bit of curiosity. Having snippets of German history there made it more engaging than just a bog standard bit of fiction. The book summary largely gives away the main theme of the story, but I think the beauty is in the journey with this one.
The book follows the lives of the Steinnmann sisters, following the death of their father. The characters are believable and the dynamic between them was well portrayed. The whole book is credible and formed a nice story.
I think part of my enjoyment stemmed from it being a bit different. With no knowledge of Lauscha, or its glassblowing heritage, it played on a bit of curiosity. Having snippets of German history there made it more engaging than just a bog standard bit of fiction. The book summary largely gives away the main theme of the story, but I think the beauty is in the journey with this one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,304 reviews