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4/29/2013

Clara and Mr. Tiffany

I am so happy to share this riveting book, Clara and Mr. Tiffany,by Susan Vreeland. Ms. Vreeland imparts fascinating history and details about daily life in New York City at the end of the 19th century in the most beguiling way via the protagonist, Clara Driscoll. Clara is not a fictional character, but the designer of 30+ Tiffany lamps and the director of the design department of "Tiffany girls". The author deftly combines the zeitgeist of the political and social climate addressing working conditions, immigration, and squalid tenements with the evolving role of women in American life. The boarding house, where Clara lives among artists, actors, and socialists, gives depth and richness to the stories of that time. The quality of the writing and the I-can't-put-it-down nature of the story makes this a must read for those who enjoy historical fiction.


He tugged at his beard. "It's brilliant! An entirely new product. We'll be the first on the market. And not just peacock featherth. Flowerth too!" Excitement overtook his struggle to control his lisp, which surfaced only when he spoke with passion. 

I opened the beveled-glass door under the sign announcing Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company in ornate bronze. A new sign with a new name. Fine. I felt new too. In the ground-floor showroom of the five-story building, stained-glass windows hung from the high ceiling, and large mosaic panels leaned against the walls. Despite the urgency of my business, I couldn't resist taking a quick look at the free-form vases, bronze desk sets, pendulum clocks, and art nouveau candelabras. It was the oil lamps that bothered me. Their blown-glass shades sat above squat, bulbous bases too earthbound to be elegant. Mr. Tiffany was capable of more grace than that. 

Would you keep reading? 

10 comments:

Duncan D. Horne - the Kuantan blogger said...

I love that lithp in the first teaser. You got me quietly repeating that sentence to myself!

Here's my teaser: Dan Brown Portal

Beth F said...

I've been wanting to read this one since it came out.

Melissa O. said...

Fun teaser -- sounds like an interesting read!

My teaser is from FROST by Kate Avery Ellison.

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

I really liked this book a lot; I hope you do as well.

Laurel-Rain Snow said...

Sounds lovely...I adore Tiffany pieces.

Here's MY TUESDAY MEMES POST

Literary Feline said...

How enticing! I'd want to read this one for the historical aspect, for sure.

Catherine @ Book Club Librarian said...

I've heard such great things about this book from friends. I want to read it, but haven't found the time yet!

I'm a new GFC follower. Hope you'll check out my blog and follow back: http://www.bookclublibrarian.com/

Here's my First Chapter/Tuesday Teaser: http://www.bookclublibrarian.com/2013/04/first-chapter-first-paragraph-11-and.html

kayerj said...

hmmmm . . . I'd need a bit more before committing. kelley—the road goes ever ever on

Nise' said...

The background of the book has me very interested.

Margot said...

What a nice treat - to read this opening paragraph again. I read this book a year ago. I hope you're enjoying it as much as I did.