Award-winning historical fiction set in 16th-century Venice
Benjamin Franklin Digital Award
IPPY Award for Best Adult Fiction E-book
National Indie Excellence Award Finalist
Eric Hoffer Award Finalist
Shortlisted for the da Vinci Eye Prize
From the author of Made in Italy comes a tale of artisanal tradition and family bonds set in one of the world’s most magnificent settings: Renaissance … artisanal tradition and family bonds set in one of the world’s most magnificent settings: Renaissance Venice.
Venetian gondola-maker Luca Vianello considers his whole life arranged. His father charted a course for his eldest son from the day he was born, and Luca is positioned to inherit one of the city’s most esteemed boatyards. But when Luca experiences an unexpected tragedy in the boatyard, he believes that his destiny lies elsewhere. Soon he finds himself drawn to restore an antique gondola with the dream of taking a girl for a ride.
The Gondola Maker brings the centuries-old art of gondola-making to life in the tale of a young man’s complicated relationship with his master-craftsman father. Lovers of historical fiction will appreciate the authentic details of gondola craftsmanship, along with an intimate first-person narrative set against the richly textured backdrop of 16th-century Venice.
A Venetian page-turner
“I’m a big fan of Venice, so I appreciate Laura Morelli’s special knowledge of the city, the period, and the process of gondola-making. An especially compelling story.” –Frances Mayes, author of Under the Tuscan Sun
“Laura Morelli has done her research, or perhaps she was an Italian carpenter in another life. One can literally smell and feel the grain of finely turned wood in her hands.” –Pamela Sheldon Johns, author of Italian Food Artisans
“Romance, intrigue, family loyalty, pride, and redemption set against the backdrop of Renaissance Italy.” –Library of Clean Reads
“Beautiful, powerful evocation of the characters, the place, and the time. An elegant and thoroughly engaging narrative voice.” –Mark Spencer, author of Fiction Club: A Concise Guide to Writing Good Fiction
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It is truly a story–not just a book to read through quickly. Hated to see it end
Laura Morelli provides a great combination of historically accurate detail woven into an entertaining story. I felt like I was in 16th century Venice as I was reading.
I loved it. Couldn’t wait to find out what turns his life was going to take. Glad he reunited with his family.
A story about how people sometimes chooses the family traditional business not only because of the family but for the natural skills and satisfaction of doing a great job.
One of the best ever books for me, especially if you’re actually arriving in Venice, and reading this book on your Kindle! You will learn so much about gondolas, Venetian history, and one can visit the city inside along the canals & all the places you remember if you’ve ever visited there. The two main characters were well developed and I fell in love with their story. THis is a must read. I just downloaded the author’s second book today and know it’s going to be a winner too.
Enjoyable read
Interesting Historical setting and details
I really enjoyed the writers style of writing.
Good setting, interesting characters.
The author did a great job of developing the main character – his horror at burning the squero, his passion for the rebuilding of the painter’s old, damaged gondola, his empathy for Guiliana, the newly bankrupted (and deceased) banker’s daughter, who like Luca is trying to determine her own destiny, and his fear and shame in facing his father. I also really appreciated the use of Italian words throughout the book as well as her detailed information about gondolas – the structure, the oarlocks, the ribs, the different kinds of wood used. Altogether, it was an enjoyable read.
The story line functions as a simple vehicle to showcase the author’s research on and knowledge of the ancient craft of gondola making and the typical life of a Venitian tradesman of the period. There are lots of vivid details about boat making, and some colorful vignettes but the story is a secondary objective with little meat to it.
Maybe it’s because it takes place in Venice, a city I love, but I find myself looking forward to reading the next chapter each evening. Interesting story and characters. I’m almost at the end and this is a book that I don’t want to end.
I got into the story immediately. The characters came to life, and what an
interesting subject! I knew nothing about gondolas, other than seeing pictures,
and the depth of the building process was most fascinating. the story seemed so real to me, and I found myself wanting more….
This book sets a great story in the time of 16th century Venice. The book as well researched nd very informative. I would welcome sequel.
Entertaining and somewhat informative about that time period.
Interesting characters, interesting story line, interesting setting. Plus it is well written and edited, so over all it was a very enjoyable read.
The characters seemed to be just a way to deliver a treatise on gondola making. More story and less exposition would have been preferable.
I enjoy historical novels – this one was especially fun to read, as I was lucky enough to spend three days in Venice. A view of “real life” in old Venice brought back those wonderful three days.
Incredible attention to detail leaves you believing you’re in Venice at the time of writing,you can almost smell the canals and the wine!
Great realistic writing and subject of a Venice gondola makers family and so .