tamaralgage1's review against another edition
4.0
This book tells the story of Clara Driscoll. A woman lost behind the fame of the Tiffany name along with the recognition for her designs of the Tiffany Lamp Shades. Working as the head of the Women's Department, Clara worked for the Tiffany Co. from 1898 to 1908. The book tells her story in a historical fiction format. The author began the journey with letters Clara had written to her mother and sister. They in turn kept these letters and passed them along to the next generations to preserve her history. (https://www.nyhistory.org/blogs/tiffany-girls)
I enjoyed the book and the eyewitness accounts of history in New York City. It goes into a great deal of detail regarding the creation of stain glass. I am not sure how most people will feel about this… but for a student of the art form I was intrigued. Good book.
Favorites Quotes:
§ “A hard choice. Water or books. Hmm. One could always have wine instead.”
§ “Things that have been lost and then found are doubly precious, don't you think. People too.”
§ “What the world calls failure, I call learning.”
§ " The true republic. Men, their rights and nothing more. Women, their rights and nothing less" - - - Revolution, Susan B Anthony
I enjoyed the book and the eyewitness accounts of history in New York City. It goes into a great deal of detail regarding the creation of stain glass. I am not sure how most people will feel about this… but for a student of the art form I was intrigued. Good book.
Favorites Quotes:
§ “A hard choice. Water or books. Hmm. One could always have wine instead.”
§ “Things that have been lost and then found are doubly precious, don't you think. People too.”
§ “What the world calls failure, I call learning.”
§ " The true republic. Men, their rights and nothing more. Women, their rights and nothing less" - - - Revolution, Susan B Anthony
ncostell's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
annakim's review against another edition
2.0
I didn't realize that this novel is based on a real person, who I sincerely hope was not as tedious and smugly self-righteous as the fictional character. I couldn't tell if the author's intent was to highlight the class injustices of the time or the inequalities women faced. The whole novel was just a bit too much; it was obvious that the author had a lot of ideas, but just couldn't get them to gel together. The character, Clara, is the typical privileged middle class white woman archetype who instantly improves the lives of the working class by exposing them to Art. She disapproves of other women leaving the profession in order to get married or when they worry about, you know, eating, because what is all that compared to Beauty?
It was hard for me to feel any sympathy for Clara. Part of the problem with first-person narration is that the narrator can only narrate his/her point-of-view, but Clara just seems incredibly self-absorbed. Everything is about HER job, HER problems, how Mr. Tiffany's behavior is impacting HER creativity, how nobody is defending HER right to create, and nobody will recognize HER work.
The only good thing to come out of this novel is that I was able to learn about the real Clara Driscoll and the rest of the Tiffany Girls.
It was hard for me to feel any sympathy for Clara. Part of the problem with first-person narration is that the narrator can only narrate his/her point-of-view, but Clara just seems incredibly self-absorbed. Everything is about HER job, HER problems, how Mr. Tiffany's behavior is impacting HER creativity, how nobody is defending HER right to create, and nobody will recognize HER work.
The only good thing to come out of this novel is that I was able to learn about the real Clara Driscoll and the rest of the Tiffany Girls.
ricefun's review against another edition
5.0
On par with "Loving Frank." This was a fantastically written fictional biography drawn from the life of a creative and dynamic New York woman. It drew pictures of Clara herself, Tiffany Studios, Mr. Tiffany, and New York artistic culture at the turn of the 20th Century in a brilliant way.
bnielsen214's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
bibliosteph's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
minniepauline's review against another edition
3.0
This was a well researched, interesting novel, but I never felt drawn in and connected to Clara. It felt more like a very well-written history book. I liked it, but I didn't love it, I didn't think about it much when I wasn't reading it, and the historical facts are what will stay with me.
ceabooks's review against another edition
informative
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
adrienneambo's review against another edition
3.0
Based on true life story of Clara Driscoll female glass cutter who worked with Louis Tiffany. She was the artisan behind the famous lamps. Interesting in the history of women's workers and the turn of the century union movement. The background of Clara's personal life was interesting. The nuance of the glass work got a little tedious at times, but overall a good read.