Comments (22)

What did you think about this title?
1 to 22 of 22 items
Jan 13, 2023lilypad_1 rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
VERY detailed story about Clara Driscoll and her life. Once again I am apalled at how women were so restricted, Tiffany wouldn't employ married women and other places fired women who just got engaged. I was not interested in the mechanics…
Aug 09, 2022peggysnorf rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
The title is misleading.
May 23, 2021sgcf rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Based on the recently discovered letters of Clara Driscoll, Vreeland weaves together historical information about New York City at the turn of the 20th century with Clara’s struggle to find recognition for her artistry in Tiffany’s…
Jun 14, 2019kvantrump rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Loved this book about women in art, being unrecognized and their lives in boarding houses with the mores of the time.
Feb 12, 2017lovemybranch rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
It was interesting to read, especially because I've made some stained glass. But the writing suffered from the author's desire to educate; various characters gave little lectures so that the author could get some historical facts across.
Dec 30, 2016Reedica rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I loved this book. The storyline flowed nicely, while clearly explaining a craft (Tiffany glass) of which I had no prior knowledge. I am super excited to actually go see some Tiffany windows in Topeka, KS after reading this book. I…
WMorello
Feb 02, 2015WMorello rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
This book is so detailed about the processes of Tiffany glass, my eyes are "glassing over". It is so slow, who cares? If it hadn't come highly recommended by BOTH sisters, I would never have tried to finish it.
Aug 01, 2014
I found the descriptions of designing, glassmaking, cutting and assembling to be fascinating. The depiction of life at the time made me burn for the oppressed women. However, I found the writing style to be stilted and unrealistic, and…
b_schweig
Mar 01, 2014b_schweig rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
I had to read this book for a class at Harper and although it was long (397) pages on in story content, I didn't feel the pressure some other books have to pull out concepts. The author beautifully crafts artistic integrity, human…
BookEnthusiast
Mar 01, 2013BookEnthusiast rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
A wonderful depiction of an artistic female's work life in the Tiffany studios. The level of detail is exquisite and I found myself looking up photos of all the lamps mentioned in the book. I'm astonished that Clara's contributions to…
EuSei
Apr 04, 2012EuSei rated this title 0.5 out of 5 stars
I did not enjoy the informal tone of the book—after all, it starts in 1892 and people did not address their employers informally. I cannot imagine Miss Driscoll saying this to Tiffany when he showed her his new plans: “Gracious! You’ve…
Jan 15, 2012coastalkate rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Great book. I especially enjoyed the smaller details of life in that time period - obviously a lot of good research went into this book. The story was woven smoothly through all the history, as well.
Dec 26, 2011
Wow ! Another great book , Susan ! Your character development is wonderful , regardless of the time period. Lengthy , detailed - I really enjoyed it !
Aug 04, 2011wozebooks rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Very entertaining. I've enjoyed learning more about the art of stained glass and about women at the turn of the century. Lots of detail is given, clearly lots of research has been done,and I like that. Another good book by Susan Vreeland.
Aug 02, 2011missmarcy rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
adult book.story of Clara Tiffany and her contributions to tiffany lamps, possibly introducing the glass shade. Long and detailed but good read.
Jul 19, 2011
Vreeland writes another of her novels based on real people, this time Louis Tiffany, one of his designers Clara Driscoll and ?her girls' who crafted his windows and lampshades. It's also a beautifully told story of New York City in the…
NZaleske
May 25, 2011NZaleske rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this story, which is mostly true. I wasn't sure that I would but I am glad that I read it.
bookfanatic1979
May 24, 2011
I read the flap of this book and almost tossed it aside, expecting 397 pages of “will she marry her lover…or will she keep her job?” drama. I’m so glad I gave it a chance anyway. The romance is a very subtle sub-plot, allowing Vreeland…
May 23, 2011GummiGirl rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
There IS a lot of glassworking in this book, but I found it kind of interesting, having always loved Tiffany glass. What I liked even better was how it evoked New York City, and the lives of working people (especially women) in that…
Apr 25, 2011DominiqueD rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
I am halfway through it and its moving slower than expected...I'm glad I didn't buy it! There is a lot of detail about glass cutting and fabricating stain glass that's complicated and tedious to read...2.5/5
Apr 14, 2011Palomino rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
At last, a feminist-chick-lit good-for-you book that wasn't a chore to read. I own the one with the girl with the pearl earring on the cover, and have no desire to reread it, but this one was really good.
RobertaJ
Mar 01, 2011RobertaJ rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
A wonderful novel to read along side a catalog of the artwork (like Tiffany Glass: A Passion for Color), this is the story of Clara Driscoll, who was a designer and glass worker in the Tiffany company at the turn of the century. This was a…