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One Illumined Thread
A beautiful, enthralling and powerful story of three women separated by centuries, yet connected by a thread of longing and a singular creative spirit - for readers of Geraldine Brooks, Sarah Winman, Maggie O'Farrell and Pip Williams.
In Judea, under the brutal rule of King Herod, a woman yearns for a child but is outcast when she does not fall pregnant. Against all convention, she masters the art of glassblowing, a creative act she believes will keep her dream of motherhood alive. In Renaissance Florence, a young wife is left penniless by her hopelessly unfaithful husband, and struggles to find a way to support herself and her young son. And in contemporary Australia, a talented textile conservator, devastated by loss, is desperate to regain control of her life. Each woman wants something that seems unattainable, and it will take all their courage, creativity and determination to achieve it. A stunning, sweeping historical novel spanning two thousand years, One Illumined Thread celebrates the power and creative spirit of the female heart, as each woman finds freedom through an extraordinary connection. 'A dazzling story of the intimacy between women. There is wisdom, beauty and hope in this yearning song to motherhood sought, granted, lost and denied - a remarkable novel.' Suzanne Leal 'Fans of Sarah Winman and Pip Williams will love Sally Colin-James's debut novel One Illumined Thread , an intriguing story of three women separated by centuries yet inextricably connected by their quests for self-realisation ... The author's detailed exploration of each character's creative world is extraordinary. But more striking is how the reader is moved to think, feel and ultimately cheer for the creative spirit of the female heart and its incomparable ability to illuminate the world despite extreme obstacles. One Illumined Thread is one of those rare books that will stay with you. The historical depth and authentic character development keep your mind (and heart) immersed long after that last page has been read.' Books+Publishing
In Judea, under the brutal rule of King Herod, a woman yearns for a child but is outcast when she does not fall pregnant. Against all convention, she masters the art of glassblowing, a creative act she believes will keep her dream of motherhood alive. In Renaissance Florence, a young wife is left penniless by her hopelessly unfaithful husband, and struggles to find a way to support herself and her young son. And in contemporary Australia, a talented textile conservator, devastated by loss, is desperate to regain control of her life. Each woman wants something that seems unattainable, and it will take all their courage, creativity and determination to achieve it. A stunning, sweeping historical novel spanning two thousand years, One Illumined Thread celebrates the power and creative spirit of the female heart, as each woman finds freedom through an extraordinary connection. 'A dazzling story of the intimacy between women. There is wisdom, beauty and hope in this yearning song to motherhood sought, granted, lost and denied - a remarkable novel.' Suzanne Leal 'Fans of Sarah Winman and Pip Williams will love Sally Colin-James's debut novel One Illumined Thread , an intriguing story of three women separated by centuries yet inextricably connected by their quests for self-realisation ... The author's detailed exploration of each character's creative world is extraordinary. But more striking is how the reader is moved to think, feel and ultimately cheer for the creative spirit of the female heart and its incomparable ability to illuminate the world despite extreme obstacles. One Illumined Thread is one of those rare books that will stay with you. The historical depth and authentic character development keep your mind (and heart) immersed long after that last page has been read.' Books+Publishing
Paperback
First published March 8, 2023
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About the author
Sally Colin-James
1 book18 followersFollowing a globally successful corporate career in communications and event management, Sally Colin-James returned to creative writing, gaining an Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) scholarship to complete a Doctor of Philosophy in professional writing. Her novel One Illumined Thread won the 2020 HNSA Colleen McCullough Residency Award, the 2020 Varuna PIP Fellowship Award, the Byron Bay Writers Festival Mentorship Award, and a placement with the Australian Writers Mentoring program. Her work was shortlisted from over 2000 entries across 54 countries for the international 2021 First Pages Prize.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
March 13, 2023
A great idea and an impressively researched story, but let down by the execution in some respects. Overall a good read from this debut author.
Three countries, three timelines and three women. Also three domineering mothers, but that's more of an irritation in the early chapters than a focus.
In ancient Judea, Elisheva marries Zakharya, the man of her girlhood choice, and all she yearns for is to bear a child for the one she loves. As the years pass and the couple remains childless, Elisheva is shunned more and more by her community. She takes solace in the art of glassblowing, which - while not being considered suitable work for a woman - has been taught to her by an artisan cousin of her husband. She is fascinated by his work in pure black glass.
Antonia dreams of a life more like that of her Zia (Aunt) Lucia than the one her mother has led. But in Renaissance Florence, it's more likely she will follow the well-trodden path. In time she marries the man her parents have found for her, the artist Mariotto Albertinelli. He's quite a bit older and has a somewhat scandalous reputation, but Antonia settles into a companionable if childless marriage with him. She is captivated by her husband's most famous painting The Visitation, and later takes an interest in mixing paint, in a quest to find the perfect white.
A contemporary textiles conservator has recently relocated to Adelaide under mysterious circumstances, leaving a prestigious position at the NGV in Melbourne to do so. In her new post she is working on a tapestry that has really excited her interest. It's too soon to know for sure, but she thinks it might depict the scene of the visitation between the cousins, Saint Elisabeth and the Virgin Mary.
Like I said - great idea for a story. Where I think the main problem lies for me, is in the balance between the three timelines. Most of the book is about Elisheva and Antonia. It's like the contemporary timeline was an afterthought; there's not much of it and it's fairly sketchy by comparison to the other two. But it does the job of bookending the story and keeping it nicely tied together. (Although I found the decision to withhold the name of the contemporary character more frustrating than tantalising.)
While both Elisheva's and Antonia's stories were interesting, neither had enough impetus to keep the pages turning for me. If the contemporary thread had more body to it (and appeared more often), that might have improved the pacing. Meandering along as it did, there was time for me to begin feeling annoyed with the writing style. I think occasional sentence fragments are forgivable and can have their place, but when the text is littered with them, it actually becomes difficult and tedious to read.
Another thing I mentioned at the start was the research. While I'm in no position to verify it, it certainly had a strong, authentic feel. And for me it's always a good sign when I can't resist turning to Wikipedia to learn a little more!
Readers of historical fiction will enjoy this book as something a little different.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an uncorrected proof to read and review.
Three countries, three timelines and three women. Also three domineering mothers, but that's more of an irritation in the early chapters than a focus.
In ancient Judea, Elisheva marries Zakharya, the man of her girlhood choice, and all she yearns for is to bear a child for the one she loves. As the years pass and the couple remains childless, Elisheva is shunned more and more by her community. She takes solace in the art of glassblowing, which - while not being considered suitable work for a woman - has been taught to her by an artisan cousin of her husband. She is fascinated by his work in pure black glass.
Antonia dreams of a life more like that of her Zia (Aunt) Lucia than the one her mother has led. But in Renaissance Florence, it's more likely she will follow the well-trodden path. In time she marries the man her parents have found for her, the artist Mariotto Albertinelli. He's quite a bit older and has a somewhat scandalous reputation, but Antonia settles into a companionable if childless marriage with him. She is captivated by her husband's most famous painting The Visitation, and later takes an interest in mixing paint, in a quest to find the perfect white.
A contemporary textiles conservator has recently relocated to Adelaide under mysterious circumstances, leaving a prestigious position at the NGV in Melbourne to do so. In her new post she is working on a tapestry that has really excited her interest. It's too soon to know for sure, but she thinks it might depict the scene of the visitation between the cousins, Saint Elisabeth and the Virgin Mary.
Like I said - great idea for a story. Where I think the main problem lies for me, is in the balance between the three timelines. Most of the book is about Elisheva and Antonia. It's like the contemporary timeline was an afterthought; there's not much of it and it's fairly sketchy by comparison to the other two. But it does the job of bookending the story and keeping it nicely tied together. (Although I found the decision to withhold the name of the contemporary character more frustrating than tantalising.)
While both Elisheva's and Antonia's stories were interesting, neither had enough impetus to keep the pages turning for me. If the contemporary thread had more body to it (and appeared more often), that might have improved the pacing. Meandering along as it did, there was time for me to begin feeling annoyed with the writing style. I think occasional sentence fragments are forgivable and can have their place, but when the text is littered with them, it actually becomes difficult and tedious to read.
Another thing I mentioned at the start was the research. While I'm in no position to verify it, it certainly had a strong, authentic feel. And for me it's always a good sign when I can't resist turning to Wikipedia to learn a little more!
Readers of historical fiction will enjoy this book as something a little different.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an uncorrected proof to read and review.
August 22, 2023
One Illumined Thread by Sally Colin-James is an historical fiction novel about the lives of three women linked across three very different timelines. In Hebron, 41 BCE Elisheva is a married woman ostracised by her community because she's been unable to bear a child. Antonia is the wife of an artist in Renaissance Florence and we pick up her thread (pun intended) in 1497. Our contemporary narrator is Doctor Reed, a textile conservator living in Adelaide in 2018 and all three characters were compelling.
Establishing the unique identity of each of the three main characters was a little tough at first, but I was helped along by the talented writing of Colin-James and her ability to keep re-introducing characters to the reader in a helpful manner reminiscent of Philippa Gregory.
Fertility, motherhood and womanhood are key themes in each of the narrative arcs:
"That's us women. Often invisible. But strong like the wind. And most men, if asked for the truth, would say that when it comes to the household they sail to conditions." I didn't understand what she meant until many years later. Page 226
Connecting the lives of these women across the centuries are artisan crafts, primarily glassblowing and painting. In the Judean timeline, Elisheva shakes off the disapproval of the women in her village to become a talented glassblower, with her work based on the history of Hebron glass.
The narrative set in Florence is based heavily around the painting La Visitazione by Mariotto Albertinelli (1503) which features the visitation of the Virgin Mary to Elizabeth. Antonia is married to Albertinelli and friends with Michel (Michelangelo) and is passionate about her pursuit of the perfect white.
"Without white there is no moon," he declaimed. "No stars in our night sky, no flour for our bread, no lilies for our vases. No clouds, no mists, no sudden snowstorms, no mountains of marble." ... "White is where a painter begins and where his brush ends, on the gleam of an eye: a touch of white on that black pupil is what brings the portrait to life. Without white there is no art!" Page 271
Flitting between chapters about artists in Florence grinding pigments in the time of Savonarola, and the threats of violence by King Herod's Army, it was a relief to rejoin our conservator in the somewhat safer space at the Adelaide International Gallery.
Each of the women is striving to reach their inner potential, and the reader will identify with the struggles they face, even if they're of another time and place. There is plenty of character growth and development here with character insights along the way. I particularly related to this one:
"Sometimes, as children, we make too much of the people who pass through our lives. They seem grand and beautiful in the context of our world, but really they're just like every other human. Preposterous and vain." Page 193
Those familiar with their history will be rewarded when reading the narrative set in Judea under King Herod's rule, and it's clear - although not obvious - how much time and effort has been invested in the research for this novel.
One Illumined Thread by Sally Colin-James is a solid debut and I agree with the publisher's recommendation that it will appeal to readers of Maggie O'Farrell and Pip Williams. Here's a phrase I particularly enjoyed that immediately put me in mind of Hamnet or The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell.
"My mother casts me a glance sharp enough to slice onions." Page 18
When I see sharp (pun intended) writing like this by a debut author - and an Australian author no less - I'm excited to imagine the pages she will write in the future. Sally Colin-James expertly weaves (sorry, couldn't help it) all three narratives of One Illumined Thread together in a meaningful and satisfying conclusion that I can highly recommend to fans of historical fiction.
* Copy courtesy of Harper Collins *
Establishing the unique identity of each of the three main characters was a little tough at first, but I was helped along by the talented writing of Colin-James and her ability to keep re-introducing characters to the reader in a helpful manner reminiscent of Philippa Gregory.
Fertility, motherhood and womanhood are key themes in each of the narrative arcs:
"That's us women. Often invisible. But strong like the wind. And most men, if asked for the truth, would say that when it comes to the household they sail to conditions." I didn't understand what she meant until many years later. Page 226
Connecting the lives of these women across the centuries are artisan crafts, primarily glassblowing and painting. In the Judean timeline, Elisheva shakes off the disapproval of the women in her village to become a talented glassblower, with her work based on the history of Hebron glass.
The narrative set in Florence is based heavily around the painting La Visitazione by Mariotto Albertinelli (1503) which features the visitation of the Virgin Mary to Elizabeth. Antonia is married to Albertinelli and friends with Michel (Michelangelo) and is passionate about her pursuit of the perfect white.
"Without white there is no moon," he declaimed. "No stars in our night sky, no flour for our bread, no lilies for our vases. No clouds, no mists, no sudden snowstorms, no mountains of marble." ... "White is where a painter begins and where his brush ends, on the gleam of an eye: a touch of white on that black pupil is what brings the portrait to life. Without white there is no art!" Page 271
Flitting between chapters about artists in Florence grinding pigments in the time of Savonarola, and the threats of violence by King Herod's Army, it was a relief to rejoin our conservator in the somewhat safer space at the Adelaide International Gallery.
Each of the women is striving to reach their inner potential, and the reader will identify with the struggles they face, even if they're of another time and place. There is plenty of character growth and development here with character insights along the way. I particularly related to this one:
"Sometimes, as children, we make too much of the people who pass through our lives. They seem grand and beautiful in the context of our world, but really they're just like every other human. Preposterous and vain." Page 193
Those familiar with their history will be rewarded when reading the narrative set in Judea under King Herod's rule, and it's clear - although not obvious - how much time and effort has been invested in the research for this novel.
One Illumined Thread by Sally Colin-James is a solid debut and I agree with the publisher's recommendation that it will appeal to readers of Maggie O'Farrell and Pip Williams. Here's a phrase I particularly enjoyed that immediately put me in mind of Hamnet or The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell.
"My mother casts me a glance sharp enough to slice onions." Page 18
When I see sharp (pun intended) writing like this by a debut author - and an Australian author no less - I'm excited to imagine the pages she will write in the future. Sally Colin-James expertly weaves (sorry, couldn't help it) all three narratives of One Illumined Thread together in a meaningful and satisfying conclusion that I can highly recommend to fans of historical fiction.
* Copy courtesy of Harper Collins *
March 28, 2023
16 billion stars. This book is IT. I can't tell you how many times I just held it to my heart and loved on it.
Told over three narratives - Ancient Judea, Renaissance Florence, 2018 Adelaide - we follow three women as they face the realities of life, love and yearning. We are asked to consider what makes someone valid; what makes someone essential; what makes someone break. The links that bind these women go beyond the material. They are not only joined by art and names, but by the limitations that are put on us by society. Ultimately, though, we learn that redemption comes in many guises and hope is never a wasted pursuit.
I absolutely LOVED this book.
Told over three narratives - Ancient Judea, Renaissance Florence, 2018 Adelaide - we follow three women as they face the realities of life, love and yearning. We are asked to consider what makes someone valid; what makes someone essential; what makes someone break. The links that bind these women go beyond the material. They are not only joined by art and names, but by the limitations that are put on us by society. Ultimately, though, we learn that redemption comes in many guises and hope is never a wasted pursuit.
I absolutely LOVED this book.
July 24, 2023
This is an ambitious, enjoyable debut novel told across three timelines about the lives of wonderful female characters. I especially loved the story which took place in Florence in the time of Michangelo as I saw some of the art works mentioned when I visited Italy in 2009.
The day to day lives of the three highly creative, visionary women are well described and the challenges they face as they attempt to perfect their skills in the face of the descrimination against them because they are women, ring true even today.
I thought the novel petered out towards the end and wonder if there is more to tell about the lives of of at least one of the determined, creative women.
The day to day lives of the three highly creative, visionary women are well described and the challenges they face as they attempt to perfect their skills in the face of the descrimination against them because they are women, ring true even today.
I thought the novel petered out towards the end and wonder if there is more to tell about the lives of of at least one of the determined, creative women.
August 13, 2023
There were some really beautiful parts to this book but mostly it was a grind. Three women separated by centuries; a glass blower in ancient Judea, an artist’s wife/ paint formulator in Renaissance Florence and a textile conservator in modern day Adelaide are connected in ways that are revealed as the story switches between the three. Potentially it sounded like a great story but it didn’t hook me in and I used it as an effective sleeping aid. Eventually and with relief I finished it although I did find it picked up pace in the last 20% of the book, too little too late.
April 20, 2023
I had hoped for a bit more from this book. I expected more ambitious history and less sex, but unfortunately some themes are pervasive. The threads between the timelines were vague and not quite realised - with that said, I did enjoy parts of this.
I enjoyed the imagery in places and the authors imagination of history, but I didn’t connect with the characters as I’d hoped. An impressive concept but not amazing execution.
I enjoyed the imagery in places and the authors imagination of history, but I didn’t connect with the characters as I’d hoped. An impressive concept but not amazing execution.
September 21, 2023
Such a good book, I read it through twice! Once for the three part story, interleaving lives of three women centuries apart. All connected by textiles and death, with a focus on women’s childbearing role. Then I read each woman’s story right through. This clarified a key item, it comes up in different contexts, think I’ve got it straight now. It’s a most beautifully written novel, filled with an appeal to all our senses. Author’s pages at the end add depth. I found them really valuable.
August 17, 2024
A beautifully written and compelling story of three women connected by a thread of longing. One in Judea in the time of King Herod another in Renaissance Florence and one in contemporary Australia. It gives insight into other times and worlds, often brutal, and celebrates the power and creativity of women. Also deals with themes of grief, friendship, independence and injustice (not a complete list!)
Highly recommended. 8.5/10
Highly recommended. 8.5/10
August 13, 2023
This included some fascinating history and appears to have been heavily researched and while this is very interesting it makes the book overly burdened. I didn’t feel that I connected with the characters and the contemporary storyline felt unnecessary. This is an excellent debut novel but just needed a lighter touch to avoid technical information overload.
April 19, 2025
As a dressmaker and a person who enjoys creativity I loved this book.
April 28, 2023
"… we were led to believe that we were not worthy of ourselves.
We couldn’t love ourselves.
So we felt alone."
A beautiful, enthralling and powerful story of three women separated by centuries, yet connected by a thread of longing and a singular creative spirit. In Judea, a woman yearns for a child but is outcast when she does not fall pregnant. Against all convention, she masters the art of glassblowing, a creative act that gives her an outlet for her dreams and aspirations. In Renaissance Florence, a young wife enamoured with art and finding a lost Aunt, is left penniless by her hopelessly unfaithful artist husband. And in contemporary Australia, a talented textile conservator, devastated by the most unthinkable of losses, is desperate to regain control of her life. Each woman wants something that seems unattainable, and it will take all their courage, creativity and determination to achieve it.
Sweeping two thousand years, this novel stole my wee feminist heart. I loved all three women, told across three timelines, whose narratives were linked by a thread, but a beautiful thread full of hope and determination. The age old problems of the patriarchy are every present, and this novel is full of so much feeling about the power of motherhood and the power of creative outlets. I cried on numerous occasions and there is a decent twist that made me gasp. Perfectly timed, the plot is entrancing, while the lyrical prose is delicious. Honestly I highly recommend you get this in your hands.
"A woman creating a thing of her choosing."
We couldn’t love ourselves.
So we felt alone."
A beautiful, enthralling and powerful story of three women separated by centuries, yet connected by a thread of longing and a singular creative spirit. In Judea, a woman yearns for a child but is outcast when she does not fall pregnant. Against all convention, she masters the art of glassblowing, a creative act that gives her an outlet for her dreams and aspirations. In Renaissance Florence, a young wife enamoured with art and finding a lost Aunt, is left penniless by her hopelessly unfaithful artist husband. And in contemporary Australia, a talented textile conservator, devastated by the most unthinkable of losses, is desperate to regain control of her life. Each woman wants something that seems unattainable, and it will take all their courage, creativity and determination to achieve it.
Sweeping two thousand years, this novel stole my wee feminist heart. I loved all three women, told across three timelines, whose narratives were linked by a thread, but a beautiful thread full of hope and determination. The age old problems of the patriarchy are every present, and this novel is full of so much feeling about the power of motherhood and the power of creative outlets. I cried on numerous occasions and there is a decent twist that made me gasp. Perfectly timed, the plot is entrancing, while the lyrical prose is delicious. Honestly I highly recommend you get this in your hands.
"A woman creating a thing of her choosing."
April 25, 2023
Best historical fiction I’ve read in ages. High quality writing, deeply thought through characters and plot. Well worth your time!
August 7, 2025
One Illumined Thread by Sally Colin-James is the most amazing book I have ever read. My daughter gifted it to me and I couldn't put it down. I absolutely loved it, especially the epiphany when the thread was finally revealed. This is a must read for lovers of art and history. It is beautifully written and very well researched. The characters are so real you feel as if you are with them.
***CONTAINS MILD SPOILERS***
The story begins in Adelaide at the Adelaide International Gallery where we meet Dr Reed who is an art conservator. She is restoring an embroidery depicting two women which is hundreds of years old. One morning a new exhibit is brought into the gallery with which she was very intrigued It was a carving of the head of John the Baptist. Dr Reed continues her work but is facing great tragedy.
Then we get onto our flying carpet and magically swoop back through the centuries to Florence in 1497 where we meet Antonia who is besotted with a painting in her local church called La Visitazione painted by Mariotto Albertinelli, which is the meeting of two cousins. Antonia's parents arrange her marriage to none other than the above Mariotto. She spends her life working in his tavern where frequent clients are Raphael and Michelangelo. She has a hard life with her unfaithful husband.
Then we are off again and this time we land in a little town near Jerusalem called Ein Karem where we meet Elisheva in 41 BCE. Her parents have arranged her marriage too, but this time to the love of her life. But things don 't go well for her and she is ostracized by the local women because she can't fall pregnant. So, she takes up glassblowing and makes beautiful objects which are in great demand in the region and afar. After many decades, her life takes some unexpected turns, culminating in a startling aha moment for me.
The three women have many difficulties in their lives and face them with great strength which is described with sensitivity by Sally. This would be a wonderful book for book clubs. I would love to be a fly on the wall for subsequent discussions.
***CONTAINS MILD SPOILERS***
The story begins in Adelaide at the Adelaide International Gallery where we meet Dr Reed who is an art conservator. She is restoring an embroidery depicting two women which is hundreds of years old. One morning a new exhibit is brought into the gallery with which she was very intrigued It was a carving of the head of John the Baptist. Dr Reed continues her work but is facing great tragedy.
Then we get onto our flying carpet and magically swoop back through the centuries to Florence in 1497 where we meet Antonia who is besotted with a painting in her local church called La Visitazione painted by Mariotto Albertinelli, which is the meeting of two cousins. Antonia's parents arrange her marriage to none other than the above Mariotto. She spends her life working in his tavern where frequent clients are Raphael and Michelangelo. She has a hard life with her unfaithful husband.
Then we are off again and this time we land in a little town near Jerusalem called Ein Karem where we meet Elisheva in 41 BCE. Her parents have arranged her marriage too, but this time to the love of her life. But things don 't go well for her and she is ostracized by the local women because she can't fall pregnant. So, she takes up glassblowing and makes beautiful objects which are in great demand in the region and afar. After many decades, her life takes some unexpected turns, culminating in a startling aha moment for me.
The three women have many difficulties in their lives and face them with great strength which is described with sensitivity by Sally. This would be a wonderful book for book clubs. I would love to be a fly on the wall for subsequent discussions.
February 13, 2024
This novel follows the lives of 3 women living centuries apart, from Elizabeth - mother of John the Baptist, to Antonia - Florentine wife of an artist, to a modern day textile restorer.
Each woman faces the hardships of her societies pressure to be what is thought of at the time as 'the perfect woman', experiences the joys and heartache of relationship with other women, marriage, motherhood, and loss. Sally Colin-James manages to weave an emotive and heartfelt narrative between each century connecting these women with her illumined thread.
As a Christian, the chapters from Elizabeth's perspective particularly got me thinking more deeply about the life and experiences of little mentioned yet highly regarded woman of faith.
Each woman faces the hardships of her societies pressure to be what is thought of at the time as 'the perfect woman', experiences the joys and heartache of relationship with other women, marriage, motherhood, and loss. Sally Colin-James manages to weave an emotive and heartfelt narrative between each century connecting these women with her illumined thread.
As a Christian, the chapters from Elizabeth's perspective particularly got me thinking more deeply about the life and experiences of little mentioned yet highly regarded woman of faith.
March 29, 2023
One Illumined Thread by Sally Collin-James is a fascinating story inspired by the author’s personal reaction to a viewing of the painting The Visitation by Florence artist Albertinelli. The subjects are Mary, mother of Jesus and Elisabeth, her cousin, mother of John the Baptist. The artwork captures their meeting to share in the joy of their miraculous pregnancies.
This intriguing novel with its three timelines is strung together by a single common thread. Three women seek self-fulfilment through the use of their creative gifts but often are often hampered or harmed by the men overseeing their lives. These women have a number of things in common. They live in a world where ‘duty, not opinion is valued in women.’ They have no control over their lives and fight for the freedom to choose, even Dr Reed in 2018. She works with textiles (as a conservator restoring ancient fragile textiles) and often cannot sleep. She feels she is always slipping into a ‘freefall only broken when…working on a textile.’ It appears her studio is her haven. A place to work through her grief after losing her eighteen year old son.
This novel covers so many things (too much to write in a review). I found the more I pondered, the more I saw! A main issue is the history of restraints on women over the centuries. In the past, women were expected to acquire certain skills for marriage: to play an instrument, learn a foreign language and to embroider. Heaven forbid if they wanted to do something else! In the modern thread, Dr Reed ponders the ancient textile in front of her and thinks about the young woman who has created it. Would her thoughts have been only on her future husband and the children she might bear? Or did she consider she had a right to other choices? But Dr. Elisabeth Reed concludes ‘The aching privilege of choice, is not all that it should be.’.
One thread is ancient Judea. It gives us a shuddering view of King Herod’s tyrannical rule. Since his crowning, there is no safe place for women or children. Not even for his wife, Mariamme, who lost her life due to his jealousy. But Elisheva, another woman of this time, who has been shunned due to her infertility, finds joy and fulfilment in learning the art of glassblowing. As a result, she is seen as a ‘woman who does not know her place’. Women were seen to be grinding, weaving, baking and cleaning and rearing children. Not doing glass works—a task 'not meant for the hands of a woman.’
In Florence 1503, Antonia has fled the harsh fury of her mother. She is seen as a disappointment. She enters a church and gazes on the painting with Virgin Maria, ‘uncertain and pensive’ and ‘Santa Elisabetta, greeting her young cousin with a swell of affection. Sharing the news that they will both become mothers.’ She is moved by the tenderness between Maria and Elisabetta and wishes her mother looked at her the same. Captivated by the scene, forgiveness enters her heart through the wordless conviction between these two figures on canvas. And she says: I see you. To be recognised and accepted means everything. Ironically, Antonia becomes betrothed to the artist of this painting and life takes her on some unexpected turns. After a horrid accident, she explores a way to make pure white paint. ‘The colour that determines the beauty of all others’. She begins her own creative journey, encounters betrayal and learns that all ‘secrets leave traces’.
Each of these three ladies across time are connected by the need to capture beauty in art in some way. Dr Reed with conserving textiles, Sheva with her blown glass art and Antonia with paint pigmentation. Each are trying to create, preserve and proclaim their individuality. These women portray the creative female spirit and its illuminating possibilities. Throughout history women have had to fight for ecognition. One Illumined Thread elegantly portrays and celebrates the strength of the female spirit to overwhelm obstacles and to shine through the darkness that surrounds them.
The theme of threatened male power is in all three timelines. In the modern day thread, the John the Baptist head sculpture is on display in a gallery for portrayals of power. Then in ancient Judea we see King Herod in his endless acts of violence for he could not ‘tolerate another who threatened his sense of power.’ Lastly, in Florence’s Renaissance period the double dealing Pope Clement forms an ‘unholy alliance with brute emperor, Charles’. These shouts and whispers of insecurity and aggression battle on, affecting the victims under them.
The 2018 timeline narrator holds the single thread that binds the stories all together. Dr. Reed inspects the artwork and pulls out the stories of each woman and reflects on them and her own life. This is a rich and moving story of depth and poetic beauty with authentically drawn settings. The author had done her research well for I felt effortlessly transported by the descriptions, characters and plot. The separate threads come together seamlessly in the end to create an illuminating tapestry of hope, triumph, respect and compassion that can be shared between women across centuries. And what is the message for women today? To not ‘forget the power of creating together.’ I highly recommend this literary masterpiece. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to HarperCollins and Netgalley for my review copy.
This intriguing novel with its three timelines is strung together by a single common thread. Three women seek self-fulfilment through the use of their creative gifts but often are often hampered or harmed by the men overseeing their lives. These women have a number of things in common. They live in a world where ‘duty, not opinion is valued in women.’ They have no control over their lives and fight for the freedom to choose, even Dr Reed in 2018. She works with textiles (as a conservator restoring ancient fragile textiles) and often cannot sleep. She feels she is always slipping into a ‘freefall only broken when…working on a textile.’ It appears her studio is her haven. A place to work through her grief after losing her eighteen year old son.
This novel covers so many things (too much to write in a review). I found the more I pondered, the more I saw! A main issue is the history of restraints on women over the centuries. In the past, women were expected to acquire certain skills for marriage: to play an instrument, learn a foreign language and to embroider. Heaven forbid if they wanted to do something else! In the modern thread, Dr Reed ponders the ancient textile in front of her and thinks about the young woman who has created it. Would her thoughts have been only on her future husband and the children she might bear? Or did she consider she had a right to other choices? But Dr. Elisabeth Reed concludes ‘The aching privilege of choice, is not all that it should be.’.
One thread is ancient Judea. It gives us a shuddering view of King Herod’s tyrannical rule. Since his crowning, there is no safe place for women or children. Not even for his wife, Mariamme, who lost her life due to his jealousy. But Elisheva, another woman of this time, who has been shunned due to her infertility, finds joy and fulfilment in learning the art of glassblowing. As a result, she is seen as a ‘woman who does not know her place’. Women were seen to be grinding, weaving, baking and cleaning and rearing children. Not doing glass works—a task 'not meant for the hands of a woman.’
In Florence 1503, Antonia has fled the harsh fury of her mother. She is seen as a disappointment. She enters a church and gazes on the painting with Virgin Maria, ‘uncertain and pensive’ and ‘Santa Elisabetta, greeting her young cousin with a swell of affection. Sharing the news that they will both become mothers.’ She is moved by the tenderness between Maria and Elisabetta and wishes her mother looked at her the same. Captivated by the scene, forgiveness enters her heart through the wordless conviction between these two figures on canvas. And she says: I see you. To be recognised and accepted means everything. Ironically, Antonia becomes betrothed to the artist of this painting and life takes her on some unexpected turns. After a horrid accident, she explores a way to make pure white paint. ‘The colour that determines the beauty of all others’. She begins her own creative journey, encounters betrayal and learns that all ‘secrets leave traces’.
Each of these three ladies across time are connected by the need to capture beauty in art in some way. Dr Reed with conserving textiles, Sheva with her blown glass art and Antonia with paint pigmentation. Each are trying to create, preserve and proclaim their individuality. These women portray the creative female spirit and its illuminating possibilities. Throughout history women have had to fight for ecognition. One Illumined Thread elegantly portrays and celebrates the strength of the female spirit to overwhelm obstacles and to shine through the darkness that surrounds them.
The theme of threatened male power is in all three timelines. In the modern day thread, the John the Baptist head sculpture is on display in a gallery for portrayals of power. Then in ancient Judea we see King Herod in his endless acts of violence for he could not ‘tolerate another who threatened his sense of power.’ Lastly, in Florence’s Renaissance period the double dealing Pope Clement forms an ‘unholy alliance with brute emperor, Charles’. These shouts and whispers of insecurity and aggression battle on, affecting the victims under them.
The 2018 timeline narrator holds the single thread that binds the stories all together. Dr. Reed inspects the artwork and pulls out the stories of each woman and reflects on them and her own life. This is a rich and moving story of depth and poetic beauty with authentically drawn settings. The author had done her research well for I felt effortlessly transported by the descriptions, characters and plot. The separate threads come together seamlessly in the end to create an illuminating tapestry of hope, triumph, respect and compassion that can be shared between women across centuries. And what is the message for women today? To not ‘forget the power of creating together.’ I highly recommend this literary masterpiece. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to HarperCollins and Netgalley for my review copy.
January 25, 2024
Really enjoyed reading this one. Only loses one star because I though the Florence storyline was a bit underdone. What happened to Antonia and Luca in the end? (or did I miss that chapter)
April 12, 2023
Appearing at the Sydney Writers Festival in May this year, Sally Colin-James is the author of the historical novel One Illumined Thread — which was written with the support of the 2020 HNSA Colleen McCullough Residency Award, the 2020 Varuna PIP Fellowship Award, the Australian Writers Mentoring program, and the Byron Bay Writers' Festival Mentorship Award. Her work was also shortlisted in the 2021 First Pages Prize, and was completed with a PhD scholarship.
It is remarkable to see how much support this one novel has had, and it just shows that (although there's never enough to go round, of course) there are some great initiatives in the Australian writing landscape to help emerging writers on their way.
Set in three time frames, from the Biblical era to the Renaissance to the present day, One Illumined Thread is linked by the artistic pursuits of three unconventional women. The story begins in the present day with a small scrap of textile in the hands of an unnamed museum conservationist in Adelaide who believes that the tapestry might depict the visitation between the pregnant cousins, Saint Elisabeth (mother of John the Baptist) and the Virgin Mary. This Renaissance painting by Albertinelli is now in the Uffizi Gallery but was originally in the chapel of San Michele alle Trombe in Florence.
All three women are childless and in need of consolation in one way or another. The museum conservator's adult son has died and her need to hide from an abusive husband back in Melbourne means that she confides in no one. In Judea Elisheva marries Zakharya but is childless in an era when this excluded her from the society of other women. She takes up glass-blowing and creates a vial that conceals a message within. In Renaissance Florence, Antonia's parents marry her off to the much older Mariotto Albertinelli (1474-1515). It's an affectionate marriage despite his scandalous behaviour, but she is childless too and she takes up the quest to create the perfect white paint. I enjoyed this strand of the story most, but, well, with my love of Renaissance art, I would, wouldn't I?
I have a beautiful illustrated three-volume Folio Edition set of Vasari's Lives of the Artists, but alas, it's only a selection translated by George Bull and it doesn't include Albertinelli's story. Vasari (1511-1575) was a painter in his own right, but he is renowned as the first art-historian and biographer of several Renaissance artists, including Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. He invented the genre. He was also an inveterate gossip and scholarship has shown that his entertaining anecdotes about the artists are not always accurate. For the strand of the story set in Renaissance Florence, Colin-James has fleshed out Vasari's description of Albertinelli as we see it at Wikipedia:
To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2023/04/12/o...
It is remarkable to see how much support this one novel has had, and it just shows that (although there's never enough to go round, of course) there are some great initiatives in the Australian writing landscape to help emerging writers on their way.
Set in three time frames, from the Biblical era to the Renaissance to the present day, One Illumined Thread is linked by the artistic pursuits of three unconventional women. The story begins in the present day with a small scrap of textile in the hands of an unnamed museum conservationist in Adelaide who believes that the tapestry might depict the visitation between the pregnant cousins, Saint Elisabeth (mother of John the Baptist) and the Virgin Mary. This Renaissance painting by Albertinelli is now in the Uffizi Gallery but was originally in the chapel of San Michele alle Trombe in Florence.
All three women are childless and in need of consolation in one way or another. The museum conservator's adult son has died and her need to hide from an abusive husband back in Melbourne means that she confides in no one. In Judea Elisheva marries Zakharya but is childless in an era when this excluded her from the society of other women. She takes up glass-blowing and creates a vial that conceals a message within. In Renaissance Florence, Antonia's parents marry her off to the much older Mariotto Albertinelli (1474-1515). It's an affectionate marriage despite his scandalous behaviour, but she is childless too and she takes up the quest to create the perfect white paint. I enjoyed this strand of the story most, but, well, with my love of Renaissance art, I would, wouldn't I?
I have a beautiful illustrated three-volume Folio Edition set of Vasari's Lives of the Artists, but alas, it's only a selection translated by George Bull and it doesn't include Albertinelli's story. Vasari (1511-1575) was a painter in his own right, but he is renowned as the first art-historian and biographer of several Renaissance artists, including Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. He invented the genre. He was also an inveterate gossip and scholarship has shown that his entertaining anecdotes about the artists are not always accurate. For the strand of the story set in Renaissance Florence, Colin-James has fleshed out Vasari's description of Albertinelli as we see it at Wikipedia:According to Giorgio Vasari's Life of Albertinelli, the painter lived as a libertine and was fond of good living and women. Albertinelli reportedly had experienced financial problems and operated a tavern to supplement his income as a painter. At the end of his life he was unable to repay some of his debts, including one to Raphael. His wife Antonia, whom he married in 1506, repaid some of his loans.
To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2023/04/12/o...
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December 5, 2023look, this wasn't on my radar at all this year but I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I loved the settings/time periods and the well-researched descriptions of craftsmanship. I was very moved by the emotional journeys and the profound losses experienced by each of the characters, and it was interesting to have a fictionalized background story for the Visitation and the life of Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist.
Not ready to give it a rating just yet.
Not ready to give it a rating just yet.
July 6, 2023
Sally's debut novel shows stunning insight into women's connection and how that connection can span time and generations, and somehow drive us even when we are unaware of it. Her characters are linked first through their connection to Albertinelli's painting of the visitation and that thread ties their stories and their themes.
Elizabeth, or Elisheva, is a name known so well in the Bible. Mariotto Albertinelli's wife, Antonia, is a name known in history. They lived centuries, experience and almost worlds apart but Sally's research gives them form, shape and brings them to life. Her writing is beautiful and evokes the world in which each of the characters lives. A recurring them is that of motherhood. So often through history motherhood was used to define a woman and her apparent value to society. Sally gives her historical characters a whole other aspect to their lives, in particular a creative aspect, showing that through history women are far more than their wombs. Sally herself has described the moment she saw Albertinelli's painting of the Visitation, and the profound effect it had on her; of understanding how women could see each other, even when separated so much by time and circumstance. Her writing shows how well she sees what is in women's hearts and minds. Can't wait to read more from this passionate and talented writer.
Elizabeth, or Elisheva, is a name known so well in the Bible. Mariotto Albertinelli's wife, Antonia, is a name known in history. They lived centuries, experience and almost worlds apart but Sally's research gives them form, shape and brings them to life. Her writing is beautiful and evokes the world in which each of the characters lives. A recurring them is that of motherhood. So often through history motherhood was used to define a woman and her apparent value to society. Sally gives her historical characters a whole other aspect to their lives, in particular a creative aspect, showing that through history women are far more than their wombs. Sally herself has described the moment she saw Albertinelli's painting of the Visitation, and the profound effect it had on her; of understanding how women could see each other, even when separated so much by time and circumstance. Her writing shows how well she sees what is in women's hearts and minds. Can't wait to read more from this passionate and talented writer.
July 22, 2023
The true power of this novel lies in the exploration of the fact that that we are all damaged and imperfect, and that despite, or perhaps, because of this, we are all capable of great depths of creativity and the potential to create lasting beauty. It’s a highly accomplished work, skilfully blending three voices across time: present day Adelaide, renaissance Florence and Judea at the time of Christ. Art is the binding or unifying concept, but so is consideration of the lives of women across the ages and the complicated burden of mothering. If you’re a fan of Geraldine Brooks, you’ll love this text.
November 27, 2023
A complicated, beautifully written three-part story. At times I found it confusing because the jump between the different eras. In the story of the ancient times it was often difficult to identify the various characters. The names and the characters’ relationships to each other were not clear. Still, I loved the connections and parallels which the author has created between the three women and their stories. The connection and desperate love between the mothers and their sons is a strong and dominant theme, as is the role of art in the lives of the three women. A very deep and enthralling novel.
April 10, 2023
This was written so beautifully, I thoroughly enjoyed the celebration of creativity and looked forward to picking this up at every chance I could. Furthermore, I appreciate the research that went into it. I adored reading about Elisheva and Antonia, but would have loved to have delved deeper into the modern-day protagonist (I've purposely not named her as I don't want to include spoilers!) Aside from that, I felt their stories weaved together beautifully.
May 3, 2023
This was part of a birthday present.
I absolutely loved it. Loved the way the women's stories were connected but not drawn together. Through this Colin-James invited us to observe the similarities between women throughout history and the importance for each of us to resist the temptation to allow men to decide for us how we should live our lives.
The beauty of her description and the details that bring each of the women's artistry to life are exceptional.
I absolutely loved it. Loved the way the women's stories were connected but not drawn together. Through this Colin-James invited us to observe the similarities between women throughout history and the importance for each of us to resist the temptation to allow men to decide for us how we should live our lives.
The beauty of her description and the details that bring each of the women's artistry to life are exceptional.
May 30, 2024
**This is 4.5 stars**
What a BEAUTIFUL novel! The intricacies of the storyline, the way the author connected each piece was really lovely. I loved the fact that she took real people, and real art, and reimagined their stories.
It loses half a mark because a) i could've read an entire novel on each character -give me more! And b) the modern day storyline, although tragically sad, was a little lack lustre compared to the other 2.
But that's nit-picking. I loved this book!
What a BEAUTIFUL novel! The intricacies of the storyline, the way the author connected each piece was really lovely. I loved the fact that she took real people, and real art, and reimagined their stories.
It loses half a mark because a) i could've read an entire novel on each character -give me more! And b) the modern day storyline, although tragically sad, was a little lack lustre compared to the other 2.
But that's nit-picking. I loved this book!
July 15, 2023
I just loved this book, from the deeply rich portrayal of strong vibrant historical women to the healing of contemporary pain , loss and sadness to the interweaving between them all, and the celebration of women’s creativity!
Glorious in its breadth and ambition , lyrical !
Heather
Glorious in its breadth and ambition , lyrical !
Heather
October 27, 2023
A beautifully crafted story surrounding lives of women spanning two thousand years. At times frustrating following the storyline’s, needing my full concentration. A book you need to invest in as a reader to get the most from it.
January 28, 2024
This is one of those brilliant books where when you reach the last page you want to go right back to page 1 and read it all over again. It is about three creative women separated by centuries but each searching for freedom in adverse circumstances.
May 21, 2023
One illumined thread
I made the mistake of reading this book over an extended period rather than in a few shorter sittings, so I lost some of the meaning behind the importance of some of the characters as they blurred in my mind. I’d recommend reading it in a week or less, to keep you deep in the story and the many characters across three settings.
This is a truly original story about three women across three vastly different time periods. Their connection? The thread of their stories, of course, hence the book title. And their desire to find brilliant colour to enhance their art - the purest white, the most brilliant black and all shades of gold.
Anyway - I loved that each woman is ahead of her time, pushing to break the boundaries imposed on them by society, the church and men. They each face adversity and every time period focused on a form of art they specialise in - embroidery renovation, mixing paint colours and glassblowing. Every art form helps to tell each woman’s unique story. So clever; but also confusing at times with the number of additional people who bring each woman’s world to life.
Sometimes I felt the weight of the scenes was a bit out of whack, but maybe that’s because I preferred spending most of my time with Elisheva, the woman furthest in the past.
For me, I thought the writing and story got better and better over time - some sentences are truly beautiful and evoke amazing scenes. I think the book could have been a bit shorter to maintain a sense of pace across the three timelines.
A unique read, I’ll think about the story threads for some time to come!
8.5/10
#bookreview
#sallycolinjames #oneilluminedthread #fourtheatate #authorlife #authorgram #aussiebookstagrammer #aussiereader #readingislife #bookishpost #amazingbook #goodbooks #greatbook #bookrecs #readthisbook #bookstagram #bookgram #bookreviewer #aussiebibliophile #instaread #igbooks #bookcover#bookaholic #bookberd #readbooks #bookreview #historicalfiction #ilovebooks
I made the mistake of reading this book over an extended period rather than in a few shorter sittings, so I lost some of the meaning behind the importance of some of the characters as they blurred in my mind. I’d recommend reading it in a week or less, to keep you deep in the story and the many characters across three settings.
This is a truly original story about three women across three vastly different time periods. Their connection? The thread of their stories, of course, hence the book title. And their desire to find brilliant colour to enhance their art - the purest white, the most brilliant black and all shades of gold.
Anyway - I loved that each woman is ahead of her time, pushing to break the boundaries imposed on them by society, the church and men. They each face adversity and every time period focused on a form of art they specialise in - embroidery renovation, mixing paint colours and glassblowing. Every art form helps to tell each woman’s unique story. So clever; but also confusing at times with the number of additional people who bring each woman’s world to life.
Sometimes I felt the weight of the scenes was a bit out of whack, but maybe that’s because I preferred spending most of my time with Elisheva, the woman furthest in the past.
For me, I thought the writing and story got better and better over time - some sentences are truly beautiful and evoke amazing scenes. I think the book could have been a bit shorter to maintain a sense of pace across the three timelines.
A unique read, I’ll think about the story threads for some time to come!
8.5/10
#bookreview
#sallycolinjames #oneilluminedthread #fourtheatate #authorlife #authorgram #aussiebookstagrammer #aussiereader #readingislife #bookishpost #amazingbook #goodbooks #greatbook #bookrecs #readthisbook #bookstagram #bookgram #bookreviewer #aussiebibliophile #instaread #igbooks #bookcover#bookaholic #bookberd #readbooks #bookreview #historicalfiction #ilovebooks
January 30, 2025
‘The girl in the mirror is a work of art. Unlike me, she will never find freedom.’
This novel, which spans two thousand years, is about the lives of three women. In 41BCE Elisheva lives in Judea, under the rule of Herod. In 1497, Antonia lives in Florence, and in 2018, Elisabeth lives in Adelaide. Elisheva will marry, and long for a child. Antonia marries and is left penniless when her artist husband dies. Elisabeth has suffered her own tragedy and has fled an abusive spouse.
These women have two things in common: difficult mothers and their own creative streaks. Elisheva masters glassblowing while ostracised because of being childless. Antonia seeks to create the elusive perfect white paint, and Elisabeth is a textile conservator.
The narrative shifts between the three women. The narrative set in Florence is based heavily around the painting La Visitazione by Mariotto Albertinelli (1503) which features the visitation of the Virgin Mary to Elizabeth. Antonia is married to Albertinelli. In Judea, Herod threatens and delivers violence. And, in Adelaide, Elisabeth is working on a 400-hundred-year-old embroidery based on The Visitation.
While I found each woman’s story interesting, it was Elisheva’s story that captured my imagination. I wanted to know more about glassblowing, and the mysteries of black glass. I found Antonia’s story easiest to follow, but Elisabeth remained more of a mystery to me until near the end of the book (when we learn her name).
I think it is a tribute to Ms Colin-James’s research that she brought each of these characters and their concerns to life. I wanted each of them to succeed. And now, I am thinking about the role of artisanal craft in the lives of so many women, and the challenges so many women face.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
This novel, which spans two thousand years, is about the lives of three women. In 41BCE Elisheva lives in Judea, under the rule of Herod. In 1497, Antonia lives in Florence, and in 2018, Elisabeth lives in Adelaide. Elisheva will marry, and long for a child. Antonia marries and is left penniless when her artist husband dies. Elisabeth has suffered her own tragedy and has fled an abusive spouse.
These women have two things in common: difficult mothers and their own creative streaks. Elisheva masters glassblowing while ostracised because of being childless. Antonia seeks to create the elusive perfect white paint, and Elisabeth is a textile conservator.
The narrative shifts between the three women. The narrative set in Florence is based heavily around the painting La Visitazione by Mariotto Albertinelli (1503) which features the visitation of the Virgin Mary to Elizabeth. Antonia is married to Albertinelli. In Judea, Herod threatens and delivers violence. And, in Adelaide, Elisabeth is working on a 400-hundred-year-old embroidery based on The Visitation.
While I found each woman’s story interesting, it was Elisheva’s story that captured my imagination. I wanted to know more about glassblowing, and the mysteries of black glass. I found Antonia’s story easiest to follow, but Elisabeth remained more of a mystery to me until near the end of the book (when we learn her name).
I think it is a tribute to Ms Colin-James’s research that she brought each of these characters and their concerns to life. I wanted each of them to succeed. And now, I am thinking about the role of artisanal craft in the lives of so many women, and the challenges so many women face.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
August 4, 2023
After a promisingly ambitious premise - to tie the lives of three women, separated by centuries but united in their urgency to create art, One Illumined Thread by Sally Colin-James, offered only fleeting glimpses into this urgent need for the women to express themselves, focussing mostly on the lack of fulfillment in the women's lives.
The character Antonia, set in Renaissance Florence, was the most complete and sincere depiction, where the need to create stems from an urgent need for funds and where the character uses the tools available to her in order to develop her craft as a paint-maker. The modern day Doctor Reed is too vaguely sketched, and her characterisation relies too heavily on the cliched broken woman trope to ellicit much sympathy. The 5B.C.E. woman, supposedly based on Elisabeth(Elisheva), the mother of the biblical John the Baptist, who becomes a glassblower is an even more paradoxical character.
What did strike a sympathetic cord was the visceral longing for a child and the anguish of infertility.
The historical background and the plot twists are cleverly conceived and kept me reading, long enough to suspend my frustration with the hollowness of the characters.
More disappointingly though was the number of times I was launched out of my immersion in the story by the misuse/mispellings of Italian words. Please authors -if you're going to use a foreign language - get a qualified native speaker to edit your work.
Overall, an ambitious work with enough historical detail to entice lovers of historical fiction, but not enough of a believable story thread to really satisfy.
The character Antonia, set in Renaissance Florence, was the most complete and sincere depiction, where the need to create stems from an urgent need for funds and where the character uses the tools available to her in order to develop her craft as a paint-maker. The modern day Doctor Reed is too vaguely sketched, and her characterisation relies too heavily on the cliched broken woman trope to ellicit much sympathy. The 5B.C.E. woman, supposedly based on Elisabeth(Elisheva), the mother of the biblical John the Baptist, who becomes a glassblower is an even more paradoxical character.
What did strike a sympathetic cord was the visceral longing for a child and the anguish of infertility.
The historical background and the plot twists are cleverly conceived and kept me reading, long enough to suspend my frustration with the hollowness of the characters.
More disappointingly though was the number of times I was launched out of my immersion in the story by the misuse/mispellings of Italian words. Please authors -if you're going to use a foreign language - get a qualified native speaker to edit your work.
Overall, an ambitious work with enough historical detail to entice lovers of historical fiction, but not enough of a believable story thread to really satisfy.
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