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The Tiffany Girls
New York Times bestselling author Shelley Noble wows with a gripping historical novel about the real-life “Tiffany Girls,” a fascinating and largely unknown group of women artists behind Tiffany’s most legendary glassworks.
It’s 1899, and Manhattan is abuzz. Louis Comfort Tiffany, famous for his stained-glass windows, is planning a unique installation at the Paris World’s Fair, the largest in history. At their fifth-floor studio on Fourth Avenue, the artists of the Women’s Division of the Tiffany Glass Company are already working longer shifts to finish the pieces that Tiffany hopes will prove that he is the world’s finest artist in glass. Known as the “Tiffany Girls,” these women are responsible for much of the design and construction of Tiffany’s extraordinary glassworks, but none receive credit.
Emilie Pascal, daughter of an art forger, has been shunned in Paris art circles after the unmasking of her abusive father. Wanting nothing more than a chance to start a new life, she forges a letter of recommendation in hopes of fulfilling her destiny as an artist in the one place where she will finally be free to live her own life.
Grace Griffith is the best copyist in the studio, spending her days cutting glass into floral borders for Tiffany’s religious stained-glass windows. But none of her coworkers know her secret: she is living a double life as a political cartoonist under the pseudonym of G.L. Griffith—hiding her identity as a woman.
As manager of the women’s division, Clara Driscoll is responsible for keeping everything on schedule and within budget. But in the lead-up to the most important exhibition of her career, not only are her girls becoming increasingly difficult to wrangle, she finds herself obsessed with a new design: a dragonfly lamp that she has no idea will one day become Tiffany’s signature piece.
Brought together by chance, driven by their desire to be artists in one of the only ways acceptable for women in their time, these “Tiffany Girls” will break the glass ceiling of their era and for working women to come.
It’s 1899, and Manhattan is abuzz. Louis Comfort Tiffany, famous for his stained-glass windows, is planning a unique installation at the Paris World’s Fair, the largest in history. At their fifth-floor studio on Fourth Avenue, the artists of the Women’s Division of the Tiffany Glass Company are already working longer shifts to finish the pieces that Tiffany hopes will prove that he is the world’s finest artist in glass. Known as the “Tiffany Girls,” these women are responsible for much of the design and construction of Tiffany’s extraordinary glassworks, but none receive credit.
Emilie Pascal, daughter of an art forger, has been shunned in Paris art circles after the unmasking of her abusive father. Wanting nothing more than a chance to start a new life, she forges a letter of recommendation in hopes of fulfilling her destiny as an artist in the one place where she will finally be free to live her own life.
Grace Griffith is the best copyist in the studio, spending her days cutting glass into floral borders for Tiffany’s religious stained-glass windows. But none of her coworkers know her secret: she is living a double life as a political cartoonist under the pseudonym of G.L. Griffith—hiding her identity as a woman.
As manager of the women’s division, Clara Driscoll is responsible for keeping everything on schedule and within budget. But in the lead-up to the most important exhibition of her career, not only are her girls becoming increasingly difficult to wrangle, she finds herself obsessed with a new design: a dragonfly lamp that she has no idea will one day become Tiffany’s signature piece.
Brought together by chance, driven by their desire to be artists in one of the only ways acceptable for women in their time, these “Tiffany Girls” will break the glass ceiling of their era and for working women to come.
410 pages, Paperback
First published May 9, 2023
676 people are currently reading
16161 people want to read
About the author
Shelley Noble
31 books1,238 followersShelley Noble is a multi published fiction author whose books have been translated into seven languages. She writes women’s fiction as Shelley Noble and is also the author of several amateur sleuth mystery series, written as Shelley Freydont.
A former professional dancer and choreographer, she most recently worked on the films, Mona Lisa Smile and The Game Plan. She also consults on various dance and theatre projects, most recently the world premiere of a full length Tom Sawyer ballet commissioned by Kansas City Ballet.
Shelley is a member of Sisters-in-Crime, Mystery Writers of America, Romance Writers of America, and Liberty States Fiction Writers.
She lives near the New Jersey shore. In her spare time she loves to discover new beaches and indulge her passion for lighthouses and boardwalks with vintage carousels.
A former professional dancer and choreographer, she most recently worked on the films, Mona Lisa Smile and The Game Plan. She also consults on various dance and theatre projects, most recently the world premiere of a full length Tom Sawyer ballet commissioned by Kansas City Ballet.
Shelley is a member of Sisters-in-Crime, Mystery Writers of America, Romance Writers of America, and Liberty States Fiction Writers.
She lives near the New Jersey shore. In her spare time she loves to discover new beaches and indulge her passion for lighthouses and boardwalks with vintage carousels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 651 reviews
January 23, 2023
The Tiffany Girls brings a fascinating story of everyday women who worked at workshop for Mr. Tiffany, and were required to remain single in order to work for him. But they were treated equally with male coworkers, receiving equal pay.
NYC, 1899. The story weaves the paths of three ambitious women.
Emilie Pascal, daughter of an art forger, leaves the shunned life in Paris, and arrives in NYC in hopes of working for the studio of Louis C. Tiffany.
Grace Griffith admires Mr. Tiffany for hiring women, who make some of his most praised designs. She wishes she couldn’t be secretive about her dream job, which is being a cartoonist for journals and newspapers.
Clara Driscoll is the manager of the women’s division at Tiffany, and she has her own ambition. She attempts to capture the essence of the flight of dragonflies into a lamp. Later, it becomes Tiffany’s signature design.
As the stories of these women are woven, it is set against the atmospheric background of Tiffany’s workshop and their latest project which they work on for the Paris Exposition. As they work on creating the “Four Seasons” window, there is cutting of the glass, matching of the colors, and painstaking work of putting all the tiny pieces together. Then, the excitement of the big moment comes by displaying it at the Paris Expo. The atmosphere is contagious. It makes you want to be part of it.
It is written with passion and shedding light on every day women, who never truly received credit for their incredible work. Along the way, creating camaraderie among women, friendship and their drive to be artists in the way possible in their time.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
NYC, 1899. The story weaves the paths of three ambitious women.
Emilie Pascal, daughter of an art forger, leaves the shunned life in Paris, and arrives in NYC in hopes of working for the studio of Louis C. Tiffany.
Grace Griffith admires Mr. Tiffany for hiring women, who make some of his most praised designs. She wishes she couldn’t be secretive about her dream job, which is being a cartoonist for journals and newspapers.
Clara Driscoll is the manager of the women’s division at Tiffany, and she has her own ambition. She attempts to capture the essence of the flight of dragonflies into a lamp. Later, it becomes Tiffany’s signature design.
As the stories of these women are woven, it is set against the atmospheric background of Tiffany’s workshop and their latest project which they work on for the Paris Exposition. As they work on creating the “Four Seasons” window, there is cutting of the glass, matching of the colors, and painstaking work of putting all the tiny pieces together. Then, the excitement of the big moment comes by displaying it at the Paris Expo. The atmosphere is contagious. It makes you want to be part of it.
It is written with passion and shedding light on every day women, who never truly received credit for their incredible work. Along the way, creating camaraderie among women, friendship and their drive to be artists in the way possible in their time.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 19, 2025
Why I chose to listen to this audiobook:
1. as a lover of the historical fiction genre, GR friend, Annette's review (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) prompted me to add it to my WTR list; and,
2. July 2025 is my "M and N Authors" Month!
Praises:
1. the personal lives of the "Tiffany Girls" (real and imagined) intertwined nicely with the rich historical background;
2. characters:
(actual) - I was impressed that the man behind Tiffany & Co., Louis Comfort Tiffany, an astute but temperamental artist, provided his female workers/artists with good working conditions and fair pay.
- Clara Driscoll, manager of the Women's Division, was the creator of Tiffany's famous Dragonfly Lamp;
(fictional) - through Grace Griffith's eyes, who wishes to be a political cartoonist (an occupation forbidden to women at that time), we see what working conditions were like for poorer people in NYC during the late 1800s.
- Emilie Pascal, daughter of a French art forger, is an artist in her own right. Her storyline seamlessly guides us into the world of Tiffany's - the glass blowing and cutting, the drawing of "cartoons", even the intricate selection of glass colors for the assembly of various projects;
3. author Shelley Noble doesn't skimp on details! Not only did I feel to be a part of Tiffany's workplace, but also of the Paris World Fair of 1900. Descriptions of the settings were prolific without going overboard;
4. I also got a closer look into the women's rights (or lack thereof) during this time period;
5. the Author's Note is a must-read/listen; and,
6. narrator Carolyn Hewitt does a bang-up job making this story flow pleasantly and effortlessly!
Niggles: Not a one!
Overall Thoughts:
I love when a story has me researching for more! I went online to check out Tiffany's "Magnolia Window", "The Four Seasons" panels, and the "Dragonfly Lamp". They were just as I pictured while I was listening to this story!
When an author can weave a plot, characters, and a setting into an interesting and believable story, they definitely earn 5 stars from me!
1. as a lover of the historical fiction genre, GR friend, Annette's review (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) prompted me to add it to my WTR list; and,
2. July 2025 is my "M and N Authors" Month!
Praises:
1. the personal lives of the "Tiffany Girls" (real and imagined) intertwined nicely with the rich historical background;
2. characters:
(actual) - I was impressed that the man behind Tiffany & Co., Louis Comfort Tiffany, an astute but temperamental artist, provided his female workers/artists with good working conditions and fair pay.
- Clara Driscoll, manager of the Women's Division, was the creator of Tiffany's famous Dragonfly Lamp;
(fictional) - through Grace Griffith's eyes, who wishes to be a political cartoonist (an occupation forbidden to women at that time), we see what working conditions were like for poorer people in NYC during the late 1800s.
- Emilie Pascal, daughter of a French art forger, is an artist in her own right. Her storyline seamlessly guides us into the world of Tiffany's - the glass blowing and cutting, the drawing of "cartoons", even the intricate selection of glass colors for the assembly of various projects;
3. author Shelley Noble doesn't skimp on details! Not only did I feel to be a part of Tiffany's workplace, but also of the Paris World Fair of 1900. Descriptions of the settings were prolific without going overboard;
4. I also got a closer look into the women's rights (or lack thereof) during this time period;
5. the Author's Note is a must-read/listen; and,
6. narrator Carolyn Hewitt does a bang-up job making this story flow pleasantly and effortlessly!
Niggles: Not a one!
Overall Thoughts:
I love when a story has me researching for more! I went online to check out Tiffany's "Magnolia Window", "The Four Seasons" panels, and the "Dragonfly Lamp". They were just as I pictured while I was listening to this story!
When an author can weave a plot, characters, and a setting into an interesting and believable story, they definitely earn 5 stars from me!
August 10, 2023
This is an entertaining, well-written, historical fiction novel about the fascinating world of Tiffany glass. It has wonderful, interesting, well-developed, strong and capable female protagonists, a touch of romance, a tragedy, and a message of female empowerment, friendship, and the power of dreams. Its vivid descriptions of the pieces that are mentioned prompted me to investigate them further. I listened to the audio version of this novel and the narrator, Ms.Caroline Hewitt, has a lovely voice and does an outstanding job depicting the characters and their personalities.
May 4, 2023
In 1899, Mr. Louis Tiffany is busy planning two things, his daughter’s wedding and what he’s going to display at the Paris World’s Fair in 1900. Mr. Tiffany employs over three hundred workers at his studio on Fourth Avenue, Manhattan and at Stourbridge Glass Company in Corona, Queens.
At Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company, the Women’s Division are working longer shifts, to finish the four seasons panels and the talented female artists are known as the " Tiffany Girls.” Mrs. Clara Driscoll is in charge, she has to keep track of the budget, employ and train new employees.
Emilie Pascal flees Paris and boards a ship bound for New York, her father Dominique is an art forger and a nasty man. She dreams of working for Mr. Tiffany, Emilie is given a week’s trial, she moves into a boarding house and shares a room with Grace Griffith.
Grace spends her days cutting glass for Mr. Tiffany's windows panels and at night she pretends to visit her sick aunt. Grace is living a double life, she’s a political cartoonist under the pseudonym of G.L. Griffith and she sells her drawings to the Sun newspaper.
Mr. Tiffany uses favrile glass, to create his windows for churches and decorative landscapes, and later to make chandeliers, desk sets and lamps. All of his designs are inspired by nature, he's the leader of the Art Nouveau and Aesthetic movement in America. His famous dragonfly and dandelion lamps are in fact designed by Clara Driscoll and with help from her assistant/artist Ms. Alice Gouvy. Using a pattern, glass is selected and cut by the talented and highly skilled women, characters like Grace, Emilie, Dora and Lotte, and the rules for working women are very strict. Ladies who get engaged or marry are not allowed to continue working for Mr. Tiffany and this is mentioned in the narrative.
I received a copy of The Tiffany Girls by Shelley Noble from Edelweiss and HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review. A thoroughly researched and eloquently written novel by Ms. Noble, you read about Mr. Tiffany’s revolutionary glass business, how he created the beautiful and colourful pieces with lots of help.
He employed women, they worked as artists, designers, glass cutters, and the only part of the extensive production they weren’t involved in was making the glass and soldering. Five stars from me, Mrs. Driscoll wrote letters to her mother and sisters and the author uses the fascinating information gained from these as inspiration to write her ingenious book.
At Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company, the Women’s Division are working longer shifts, to finish the four seasons panels and the talented female artists are known as the " Tiffany Girls.” Mrs. Clara Driscoll is in charge, she has to keep track of the budget, employ and train new employees.
Emilie Pascal flees Paris and boards a ship bound for New York, her father Dominique is an art forger and a nasty man. She dreams of working for Mr. Tiffany, Emilie is given a week’s trial, she moves into a boarding house and shares a room with Grace Griffith.
Grace spends her days cutting glass for Mr. Tiffany's windows panels and at night she pretends to visit her sick aunt. Grace is living a double life, she’s a political cartoonist under the pseudonym of G.L. Griffith and she sells her drawings to the Sun newspaper.
Mr. Tiffany uses favrile glass, to create his windows for churches and decorative landscapes, and later to make chandeliers, desk sets and lamps. All of his designs are inspired by nature, he's the leader of the Art Nouveau and Aesthetic movement in America. His famous dragonfly and dandelion lamps are in fact designed by Clara Driscoll and with help from her assistant/artist Ms. Alice Gouvy. Using a pattern, glass is selected and cut by the talented and highly skilled women, characters like Grace, Emilie, Dora and Lotte, and the rules for working women are very strict. Ladies who get engaged or marry are not allowed to continue working for Mr. Tiffany and this is mentioned in the narrative.
I received a copy of The Tiffany Girls by Shelley Noble from Edelweiss and HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review. A thoroughly researched and eloquently written novel by Ms. Noble, you read about Mr. Tiffany’s revolutionary glass business, how he created the beautiful and colourful pieces with lots of help.
He employed women, they worked as artists, designers, glass cutters, and the only part of the extensive production they weren’t involved in was making the glass and soldering. Five stars from me, Mrs. Driscoll wrote letters to her mother and sisters and the author uses the fascinating information gained from these as inspiration to write her ingenious book.
June 3, 2023
A delightful novel for fans of historical fiction, the sisterhood between women, and art. I've long been a fan of Louis Comfort Tiffany because he was one of the first successful entrepreneurs to hire women and give them equal pay and decent working conditions. This was a time in America when women in New York's garment discount worked absurd hours in inhumane conditions for very little pay. Not only did Tiffany hire women for his glass workshop, but he valued them as artists. This empowerment led several Tiffany Girls to go on to become some of the most important female book designers in our history! I learned quite a bit about the stained-glass process in Ms. Noble's novel, and it's always a plus to come away from a book a little wiser.
January 11, 2023
The Tiffany Girls is a fascinating look into the art world, and the working conditions of women, at the dawn of the 20th century. A sweeping cast of characters, comprised of both historical figures and fictional ones alike, brings the high-stakes word of the Tiffany Glass Works to life in vivid detail. Chief among the characters are Émilie Pascal, the daughter of a notorious Parisian art forger who wants to start a life free from her father’s disgrace, and her roommate, Grace Griffith, the talented designer who dreams of working as a political cartoonist. Through tragedy and triumph, readers will find themselves rooting for these women as they face their personal challenges and the mounting pressure as Tiffany Glass Works prepares for a major display at the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris. Richly researched, and utterly captivating, a must-read for fans of turn-of-the-century historical fiction.
July 6, 2023
This book was … boring. I enjoyed looking up pictures of the historic glass pieces and reading the descriptions of their construction; however, in the notes at the end of the book, the author lets us know that this was written mostly during COVID so she couldn’t see most pieces in person … and it shows. I think the descriptions of the artwork would have been better if she could actually experience the glass in person.
The book ended how you’d expect. Everything tied up with a nice little bow in just a few paragraphs, so that was kind of a disappointment. The plot left something to be desired. It did pick up about halfway through, but even then, I thought more would happen. I won’t be reading this author again, and I did purchase this book instead of just waiting for it at the library. Definitely not worth $17 🤷🏻♀️
The book ended how you’d expect. Everything tied up with a nice little bow in just a few paragraphs, so that was kind of a disappointment. The plot left something to be desired. It did pick up about halfway through, but even then, I thought more would happen. I won’t be reading this author again, and I did purchase this book instead of just waiting for it at the library. Definitely not worth $17 🤷🏻♀️
April 26, 2023
An eye opening look into the workings of women in the workforce for the Tiffany Glass Company in 1899. Mr. Tiffany was a step above his time in providing better working conditions and equal pay for women. I loved getting a glimpse into these women’s lives thanks to letters written by Clara Driscoll that were discovered in Queens and Ohio. It was interesting that no matter how good you were at your job if you got married you could no longer work there. It was a form of ostracism as many women had to make a choice between love and an art they loved. I loved that through the eyes of these women I was transported into the daily workings of living in a boarding house with no private space walking to and from work no matter the weather, and my favorite seeing Paris at the worlds fair as this author could make me visualize it all. Characters I could identify with and well written. Although I mainly read Christian Historical Fiction I found this to be a clean read with only a couple of mild curse words and one usage of using God’s name but not to pray.
I won a copy of this book from Goodreads. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
I won a copy of this book from Goodreads. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
June 22, 2023
I thought I would enjoy this more than I did. It's very long and it was a challenge to get through it, it could use some editing. About 3/4 of the way through the book you realize there's no arc and it must have occurred to the author too because there was a bizarre event that came out of nowhere and changed the entire tone of the book. The ending was very quickly done and too sappy. Unfortunately, an unsatisfying read.
September 13, 2024
The Tiffany Girls by Shelley Noble took place in New York city during the 1890s -early 1900s, during the Gilded age. It revolves around the women behind Louis Comfort Tiffany’s stained glass studio. Most importantly it is during a time when women were beginning to challenge societal expectations. The novel follows Clara Driscoll, who is the designer credited with creating Tiffany's lamps. Along with Emeline and Grace, who work alongside Clara in Tiffany's Women’s Glass Cutting Department. The novel covers their personal lives and the challenges they face in a male-dominated industry. The author covers the challenges of this period for women such as women’s rights, labor struggles, and the suffragette movement. The book also covers the themes of friendship, empowerment, and resilience as the women strive to make their mark in a world that often undervalues their contributions. Shelley Noble did a lovely job covering women’s issues of the time. She often went too much into the drama in personal lives which slowed the novel down and made it dull in places. I would have liked to read more of the artistry of Tiffany’s creations as it slides into an important part of art history.
June 17, 2023
This was a solid 3 stars for me. I can see this book receiving glowing reviews for its "feel-good" sweetness. While that is not really my thing, I did like the story line. I liked the different POVs. They all had their different back stories and they all possessed a strong moral compass.
However, the one thing that kept this from 4 stars was the overly sweet nature of so many elements. I wanted some tension. The closest thing to that was Jack but he was so far in the background we couldn't really see him. There was also the no-account father who was more of a story and not an actual character. And there was a mention of a best friend, turned worst enemy, but he was relegated to a couple of paragraphs.
Good vs. evil themes pull me in and that is what I wanted here. The sweetness was gooey and abundant: a bunch of good girls trying to succeed at their American dream, with good landlords, with good bosses, good jobs, good friends and with good boys to choose from (except for distant Jack)....It was a little much. But still.....3 stars.
However, the one thing that kept this from 4 stars was the overly sweet nature of so many elements. I wanted some tension. The closest thing to that was Jack but he was so far in the background we couldn't really see him. There was also the no-account father who was more of a story and not an actual character. And there was a mention of a best friend, turned worst enemy, but he was relegated to a couple of paragraphs.
Good vs. evil themes pull me in and that is what I wanted here. The sweetness was gooey and abundant: a bunch of good girls trying to succeed at their American dream, with good landlords, with good bosses, good jobs, good friends and with good boys to choose from (except for distant Jack)....It was a little much. But still.....3 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2023
The Tiffany Girls was such an interesting read. I love Tiffany glass, so I jumped at the chance to read this one. I was truly fascinated by these women and what they did! I highly recommend adding this book to your collection.
Many thanks to @suzyapprovedbooktours, William Morrow and Shelley Noble for my gifted copy!
Many thanks to @suzyapprovedbooktours, William Morrow and Shelley Noble for my gifted copy!
July 4, 2023
An inside look at glassmaking and the inner workings of Tiffany’s workshop through the eyes of three women. As the stories of these intriguing women are woven, it is set against the intricate descriptions of some of Tiffany’s most renowned works introduced at the Paris Exposition. It is a story of camaraderie, friendship and loyalty.
December 8, 2024
Won in goodreads giveaways (way behind eep), all my opinions are my own.
Not looking when I added this to my tbr haha
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Books like these are why I love historical fiction so much :).
The feeling of sinking into history, walking alongside the people there... feeling the atmosphere ✨️ 😍.
Sometimes I wish I could visit various places I've read about in the time they happened (just for the day, I am very fond of indoor plumbing for one).
Alas, no time travel invented yet.
You can tell the author did her research for this. Everything feels authentic and nothing out of place.
Finding out Emilie and Grace were fictional was a touch disappointing, only because I couldn't look them up more to see what was written about them... didn't damper my fondness for them. :)
Looking up the artworks and maps mentioned in the book, the lamps are more appealing to me but the four seasons panel was gorgeous.
Magnolia window is my second favorite.
These people who come at the right moment in history and change the 🌎 world for the better 👏 👏.
Would recommend 👌, will be checking out her other work at some point next year I hope, crossing fingers 🤞.
I want to share it but also want to keep it haha, bookworm problems.
Not looking when I added this to my tbr haha
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Books like these are why I love historical fiction so much :).
The feeling of sinking into history, walking alongside the people there... feeling the atmosphere ✨️ 😍.
Sometimes I wish I could visit various places I've read about in the time they happened (just for the day, I am very fond of indoor plumbing for one).
Alas, no time travel invented yet.
You can tell the author did her research for this. Everything feels authentic and nothing out of place.
Finding out Emilie and Grace were fictional was a touch disappointing, only because I couldn't look them up more to see what was written about them... didn't damper my fondness for them. :)
Looking up the artworks and maps mentioned in the book, the lamps are more appealing to me but the four seasons panel was gorgeous.
Magnolia window is my second favorite.
These people who come at the right moment in history and change the 🌎 world for the better 👏 👏.
Would recommend 👌, will be checking out her other work at some point next year I hope, crossing fingers 🤞.
I want to share it but also want to keep it haha, bookworm problems.
July 27, 2024
I really enjoyed this story. I was completely engrossed in the plot and into all the characters lives, and talents. Anyone who loves the Tiffany brand stained glass art, or who is an artist will appreciate this story, THE TIFFANY GIRLS.
November 28, 2022
Blurb to come. Loved this book. I thoroughly enjoyed being lost in late 19th century NYC with the women who worked, inspired, and created gorgeous Tiffany glass that we know today.
June 2, 2023
TITLE: THE TIFFANY GIRLS
AUTHOR: Shelley Noble
PUB DATE: 05.09.2023 Now Available
THE TIFFANY GIRLS by Shelley Noble is a glass breaking historical fiction noble set in 1899 about the women artists behind the famous Tiffany stained glass design that was featured at the Paris World Fair. I loved the strong women featured in the book and their individual back stories. I particularly love the quintessential Tiffany dragonfly design which we find out in the story was designed by one of the Tiffany girls, Clara Driscoll. Overall I really enjoyed this new take on historical fiction involving the famous Mr Tiffany and the women behind the man.
Quite the fascinating read and very well done research behind this.
Brava!
AUTHOR: Shelley Noble
PUB DATE: 05.09.2023 Now Available
THE TIFFANY GIRLS by Shelley Noble is a glass breaking historical fiction noble set in 1899 about the women artists behind the famous Tiffany stained glass design that was featured at the Paris World Fair. I loved the strong women featured in the book and their individual back stories. I particularly love the quintessential Tiffany dragonfly design which we find out in the story was designed by one of the Tiffany girls, Clara Driscoll. Overall I really enjoyed this new take on historical fiction involving the famous Mr Tiffany and the women behind the man.
Quite the fascinating read and very well done research behind this.
Brava!
May 27, 2023
I was trying to find a good book to snag me up and whisk me away, and I listened to the beginning of this novel on a whim—it immediately transported me to a new time, and place. I love learning something new, especially the roles women played! The Tiffany Girls is just that, the story of the women who made incredible art for a boss with a vision. They all have their wishes and needs, their own stories. And I loved learning about the Tiffany process and journey, too. Great read and great listen❣️✨
January 11, 2023
The Tiffany Girls sparkles with as much light, hope, and wonder as Mr. Tiffany’s stained-glass creations.
November 2, 2023
I truly enjoyed this book. The characters were well developed and you were able to get a sense of each girl. There was enough description of the Tiffany windows and lamps to make me complete a Google search and see what the girls were working on. What beautiful pieces the Tiffany girls completed.
Spoiler Alert: I don't want to ruin anything for the reader but I would like to say that I would have liked the punishment of the young man who mislead one of the girls to have been more developed. It would have been nice to see how the "girls" punished him for his actions. Wonderful book that I will recommend to others.
Spoiler Alert: I don't want to ruin anything for the reader but I would like to say that I would have liked the punishment of the young man who mislead one of the girls to have been more developed. It would have been nice to see how the "girls" punished him for his actions. Wonderful book that I will recommend to others.
July 18, 2023
Like some other readers, I agree that this book was a bit dull and lacking in conflict. Each chapter was almost the same--they work, Mr. Tiffany comes, they go home. Add some boys here and there, and that's the book.
June 16, 2023
Sorry I think this one was a bore. Silly romance and not enough about Tiffany, his work and the girls he employed.
September 11, 2025
There was a lot to enjoy in this historical fiction novel about the women who worked with and for Louis Comfort Tiffany. Yes, that Tiffany who created the beautiful glass windows, vases, panels, and lamps in NYC. And HIS father was the other Louis Tiffany, Sr. who was the artistic and successful jewelry creator.
We follow the relocation of a young Parisian woman to NYC, as she leaves her past behind in Paris. She finds work for Tiffany cutting glass and has an eye and an innate sense of color and design.
The only negative I found was how the writing “tells explicitly” in full and sometimes exhausting detail what is happening between characters. There’s another type of writing that I prefer because it assumes the reader can read between the lines and doesn’t need everything so explicitly detailed and spelled out for them. If you can overlook this, you’ll enjoy this informative novel.
I loved the details about Louis Comfort Tiffany and that this story was based on women who Tiffany hired IRL. Mrs Driscoll was one of them and she was allowed by Tiffany to take credit for her own work at exhibits and won awards for her creative talent. Tiffany set a nice bar for women at that time and that’s always nice to discover.
We follow the relocation of a young Parisian woman to NYC, as she leaves her past behind in Paris. She finds work for Tiffany cutting glass and has an eye and an innate sense of color and design.
The only negative I found was how the writing “tells explicitly” in full and sometimes exhausting detail what is happening between characters. There’s another type of writing that I prefer because it assumes the reader can read between the lines and doesn’t need everything so explicitly detailed and spelled out for them. If you can overlook this, you’ll enjoy this informative novel.
I loved the details about Louis Comfort Tiffany and that this story was based on women who Tiffany hired IRL. Mrs Driscoll was one of them and she was allowed by Tiffany to take credit for her own work at exhibits and won awards for her creative talent. Tiffany set a nice bar for women at that time and that’s always nice to discover.
January 8, 2024
A story about the inter workings of Tiffany Glass as seen from the perspective of the women working with the glass. A story of loyalty, friendship and new beginnings.
February 24, 2024
A well-written and fascinating glimpse into the world of the Tiffany girls, who designed and created some of Tiffany’s most memorable stained glass artwork in the late 1800s. This is an excellent blend of history and fiction, with an interesting story and characters that shed light on a little known piece of history. Perfect for fans of Fiona Davis and Marie Benedict.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Edelweiss, William Morris Paperbacks and Shelley Noble for my complimentary e-copy ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Edelweiss, William Morris Paperbacks and Shelley Noble for my complimentary e-copy ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
July 18, 2023
A French woman artist running from her past comes to New York and finds employment working for Mr. Tiffany’s glass company. She finds she has a special talent for making the stained glass pieces. She makes friends, works hard, and is rewarded for her efforts. I don’t usually read books like this, so it was a bit of an adjustment for me.
March 4, 2024
Kind of had no plot
August 14, 2025
The story, set in 1899-1900, centers around the women who worked for Tiffany creating his glass works of art. There is Emilie, an artist who escapes a difficult past in Paris to New York City to work for Mr. Tiffany. She is recognized for her talent and navigates her new city, new job and new friendships with determination, kindness and talent. She becomes friends with the women she works with and shares a boarding house with, in particular Grace, who is not only a talented artist at the Tiffany works, but is also a political cartoonist, who must navigate a world only open to men to publish her work. Clara Wolcott Driscoll (a historical figure who worked for Mr. Tiffany) manages the women's workroom at Tiffany's in addition to designing her own works of art. She is hardworking and kind and truly cares about the women who work there.
I learned so much about this artwork that I only understood on a surface level, and found myself using google images to look up the artwork (windows, lamps, panels) that were described in the story. It was a fairly quick read and drew me into the story of the women and their lives in NYC, the World's exhibition in Paris in 1900, and the artwork created.
This would be a good book club pick as there is a lot to discuss, from the history of Tiffany stained glass to the conditions and place of women in that time period. Highly recommend.
I learned so much about this artwork that I only understood on a surface level, and found myself using google images to look up the artwork (windows, lamps, panels) that were described in the story. It was a fairly quick read and drew me into the story of the women and their lives in NYC, the World's exhibition in Paris in 1900, and the artwork created.
This would be a good book club pick as there is a lot to discuss, from the history of Tiffany stained glass to the conditions and place of women in that time period. Highly recommend.
February 15, 2025
I thought this was pretty good historical fiction about the women who worked for Louis Comfort Tiffany. From the designers, cartooners, glass cutters and the artists who created the stain glass windows by selecting and arranging the pieces, Tiffany’s “girls” were expected to work hard for not much money, no recognition, and to remain single and of unimpeachable character while working there. If you are an admirer of Tiffany glass, this novel might amuse you, too. Except for an Epilogue, it ends at the Paris World’s Fair.
I listened to the Audible version and the narrator did an excellent job with all the voices, including the French accents and the French language.
I listened to the Audible version and the narrator did an excellent job with all the voices, including the French accents and the French language.
June 10, 2024
This book was just great, very good research. believable characters and good dialogue.
I think I would read anything historical from this writer from now on. I recommend reading this if you like historical fiction and action taking place at the Paris world exhibition in 1900 and of course Tiffany's beautiful and colorful designs
I think I would read anything historical from this writer from now on. I recommend reading this if you like historical fiction and action taking place at the Paris world exhibition in 1900 and of course Tiffany's beautiful and colorful designs
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