I just closed the last page to this wonderful novel. I first heard of Petra Durst-Benning when I read the first book in this series, The Glassblower. I am now excited to begin the final book of this series, The Paradise of Glass.
This is a series like nothing I have read before. It is truly extraordinary. For my Christian readers, this series is not a Christian based read. But it is one that I would happily pass on to any friend who loves reading.
I was captivated from the very start. The series is based on three sisters who are glassblowers in Lausha, Germany. This novel picks up with the story of Wanda, which is Ruth's daughter. Ruth had traveled to America with her new husband and daughter. We see Wanda now as a young women. We are given the opportunity in watching her grow into womanhood. She is a girl who has the world at her fingertips, but yet she's always searching for more. She has parents who never tell her anything of the answer no. She's trying to find herself, but no matter how hard she tries there's always something missing.
Her mother, Ruth, stays busy with all the upscale families in New York. Since coming to America she has changed so much. She's forgotten where she came from as she puts on heirs for those around her. She's very much about appearances and being hospitable to those important. It'll be great to see her in book 3 and she what changes are sure to come.
Soon in the story Wanda's, Aunt Marie, comes to visit. This is Marie's first visit away from Germany. This novel brings us to journey American, New York, with Marie. We see her excitement and fear in her journey. Upon arriving the sisters connect in ways like never before, but not too long after the visit they begin to grow more distant as people and dreams come between them. Marie grows into a new woman as she uncovers much of herself through this whole new world. She is truly experiencing life new.
Johanna remains in Lausha with her family and continues the family business. We see little of her in this novel expect for letters between the sisters. As Wanda learns of her mother's past she now wants to travel back to Lausha.
Throughout this novel Wanda and Marie are highlighted. These women find a joy in life they never knew possible. I loved venturing with these girls. The writing is superb. The author is outstanding with detail as the reader truly feels the emotions of the characters.
We travel the highs and lows of life with these characters. The author is brilliant in adding such emotion so that the reader can connect with each character. Family, love, tradition, secrets, the battle within, finding acceptance, being relevant, and forgiveness. These subjects and so much more are all found in the pages of this novel. It truly holds a bit of everything.
As I mentioned before there are a few scenes of sex. Does sex have to be a part of a novel? Could this story have been written without it? I think only the reader can answer these questions. For me, the sex wasn't overly done. It It wasn't something outlandish. It was a part of who these women were at the time. For me it was a wonderful addition to the story in revealing the heart and passion of these characters.
The novel ends back in Lausha where the third novel is sure to pick up. I am excited to see the story continue for these characters. They certainly will not be forgotten any time soon. Take a chance on this series if you're searching for something different. I'm so happy I took a chance!!😊
This novel was a gift from Amazon Crossing for sharing my review with you.
Petra Durst-Benning lives near Stuttgart, Germany, with her husband, Bertram, and their dog, Eric. Before writing her first novel she worked as an import/export translator and edited a magazine for dog owners. All this changed with the publication of The Silver Thistle, which was set against the background of the peasant uprising in Germany in 1514. Her next dozen books take place in times ranging from the sixteenth century to the nineteenth century, and are set in Germany, France, Russia, and America. They bring tales of historical times, love and family, and happiness and hardship to an ever-growing readership. The American Lady is the second book in The Glassblower Trilogy.
