Scan barcode
asl4u's review against another edition
4.0
I really think this book was mis-named -it should have been called The American Lady -or the American Girl. The title is so misplaced that ut makes the middle book a little confusing -What Anerican Lady??? And then you get here and you say Ohhh That American Lady...
Regardless -i think the book was a good story -the reader's voice was way too feminine for all but the main character though -it was distracting to hear some whiney voice talking about doing something violent and then discover that its actually a man who is talking. The most masculine voice in the book ironically was Eva (a woman). Obviously that wouldnt be part of the experience of you were simply reading the book though. Overall it was a good book. I enjoyed the first and third more than the second
Regardless -i think the book was a good story -the reader's voice was way too feminine for all but the main character though -it was distracting to hear some whiney voice talking about doing something violent and then discover that its actually a man who is talking. The most masculine voice in the book ironically was Eva (a woman). Obviously that wouldnt be part of the experience of you were simply reading the book though. Overall it was a good book. I enjoyed the first and third more than the second
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
The Paradise of Glass by Petra Durst-Benning is the third (and final) book in the Glassblower Trilogy. Wanda has returned to Lauscha from Italy with little Sylvie (her Aunt Marie’s daughter). Wanda is looking forward to being home and preparing for her marriage to Richard Stamme. Richard, though, is preoccupied with a showing he will be having in the fall. It has taken his total attention (he ignores Wanda). The rest of the town is upset of the sale of the Grundler Foundry. It is being sold to an outsider and it has all the glassblowers and workers in an uproar. Wanda finally asks why they don’t buy the foundry themselves.
After some thinking, some of the men decide it is a good idea. They put Wanda in charge of the finances (much to Richard’s dismay). They come up with 11,000 marks towards the purchase of the foundry. The owner gives them time to come up with the money to purchase it. If the glassblowers can raise the money in time, the owner will sell the foundry to them. They try Grosse and Sons to get a loan for the remainder of the funds they need. David Wagner is the loan officer at the bank. He knows that the loan will not get approved since the bank handles the finances of the person wishing to person the foundry. Wanda convinces the group to raise the money via the stock market. With the right stocks, they can might be able to raise the money in time. Unfortunately, things do not go as smoothly as Wanda anticipates. Someone is working behind the scenes to make sure they do not raise the money in time.
What is going to happen to the foundry? Will Richard and Wanda get married? Who is the other buyer for the foundry? You do have to read the first two books in the series in order to understand what is happening in The Paradise of Glass. I loved the first book in the series, the second one was okay, and this one was just fine (so-so). The book is very slow throughout the middle of the book (like the author ran out of things to put into the book). Wanda comes across as a very selfish, spoiled, self-centered girl who has no business raising a child nor getting married (I would never trust her with money). Wanda is always coming up with ideas, but she rarely follows through with them (or wants someone else to). I give The Paradise of Glass 3 out of 5 stars. The writing is good, but the content (story) was deficient. I was very disappointed with this final book in The Glassblower Trilogy.
I received a complimentary copy of The Paradise of Glass from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
http://bibliophileandavidreader.blogspot.com/2015/09/the-paradise-of-glass.html
After some thinking, some of the men decide it is a good idea. They put Wanda in charge of the finances (much to Richard’s dismay). They come up with 11,000 marks towards the purchase of the foundry. The owner gives them time to come up with the money to purchase it. If the glassblowers can raise the money in time, the owner will sell the foundry to them. They try Grosse and Sons to get a loan for the remainder of the funds they need. David Wagner is the loan officer at the bank. He knows that the loan will not get approved since the bank handles the finances of the person wishing to person the foundry. Wanda convinces the group to raise the money via the stock market. With the right stocks, they can might be able to raise the money in time. Unfortunately, things do not go as smoothly as Wanda anticipates. Someone is working behind the scenes to make sure they do not raise the money in time.
What is going to happen to the foundry? Will Richard and Wanda get married? Who is the other buyer for the foundry? You do have to read the first two books in the series in order to understand what is happening in The Paradise of Glass. I loved the first book in the series, the second one was okay, and this one was just fine (so-so). The book is very slow throughout the middle of the book (like the author ran out of things to put into the book). Wanda comes across as a very selfish, spoiled, self-centered girl who has no business raising a child nor getting married (I would never trust her with money). Wanda is always coming up with ideas, but she rarely follows through with them (or wants someone else to). I give The Paradise of Glass 3 out of 5 stars. The writing is good, but the content (story) was deficient. I was very disappointed with this final book in The Glassblower Trilogy.
I received a complimentary copy of The Paradise of Glass from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
http://bibliophileandavidreader.blogspot.com/2015/09/the-paradise-of-glass.html
tonyriver's review
3.0
The third in this satisfying saga. The world of the glass makers remains interesting and well pictured by the writer. I found this book slightly less engaging than the previous three. However a good ending to the story and great to imagine the village and the potential of transformation for the inhabitants.
tlfuller13's review
3.0
The Paradise of Glass is the conclusion to the glassblower trilogy. Each has its own tone and unique challenges that the characters overcome, but all with the same family. Wanda is the main character of this one, and the focus is on her helping the village overcome an upcoming problem with a disgusting wholesaler purchasing the glass foundery and monopolizing the area.
This one started as my least favorite, but slowly started to grow on me. As I continued to read, the story became more and more interesting. It takes time before it builds into the exciting story of the other two, but once you are hooked, it's hard to put down.
This one started as my least favorite, but slowly started to grow on me. As I continued to read, the story became more and more interesting. It takes time before it builds into the exciting story of the other two, but once you are hooked, it's hard to put down.
mel_rochacha's review against another edition
5.0
This book was beautifully written with many romantic turns and wonderful plot twists. It has recreated my love for historical fiction.
kmpatel13's review
5.0
I was a bit hesitant to start this book b/c come one - 2 out of 3 being amazing is a fat chance but 3 out of 3...that's gold! This book didn't fail to deliver either. I love following Wanda through her efforts to try to make things better, help others, and find herself. I felt like I could relate to her in many ways. I do wish there was a bit more romance between her and a certain someone to show how swept up she could be or how romantic or into her he was but it's all good. I still loved it!
gretel7's review
2.0
This book is third in the Glassblower series. The series was wrapped up neatly, but this 3rd book was blah. 2 stars out if 5.
Overall, I would give the whole series 3 stars out of 5.
Overall, I would give the whole series 3 stars out of 5.
marziesreads's review
4.0
A very enjoyable conclusion to the Glassblower trilogy.
As an aside, it was refreshing to read about Anna's fascination, near the end, with Adolph Menzel's "The Balcony Room," a beautiful painting I first learned about more than 30 years ago in an art history class, and had the pleasure of seeing in person. It made me recall happy days wandering in museums.
As an aside, it was refreshing to read about Anna's fascination, near the end, with Adolph Menzel's "The Balcony Room," a beautiful painting I first learned about more than 30 years ago in an art history class, and had the pleasure of seeing in person. It made me recall happy days wandering in museums.