as Mother prepares me for suitors,
polishes me
while Giovanna polishes glass.
Italy late-14o0s
The Barovier family has shaped glass on the island of Murano since 1291. All Baroviers children are schooled to understand every aspect of glass. Maria's father, Angelo Barovier, invented a clear glass, crystallo. For 7 years the Barovier house was the only manufacturer of crystallo. Then the secret recipe escaped.
Even though she has an older sister, Giovanna, her father insisted on his death bed that Maria needed to marry a noble. Maria is now 15-years old; it is time her family found a proper suitor for her. The family desperately needs Maria to make a good match.
If I marry well, then Marino
may take a wife
and acquire a large dowry
for our family.
Sixteen-year old Giovanna, has to watch Maria the family prepare her younger sister for marriage. Giovanna is older, prettier, more graceful, and everyone loves her. It is tradition for the oldest daughter to marry first.
Sisters of Glass is a novel-in-verse. It's a entertaining, quick read, even if the ending isn't quite believable. Very romantic!
Rating: 8 out of 10 stars
This book is not available at NOLS...yet!
