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A review by unabridgedchick
The Blue by Nancy Bilyeau
4.0
Porcelain. Not what I thought would make for exciting reading, but in this fabulous book, it's a commodity that drives politics, espionage, and obsession.
I'm a longtime fan of Nancy Bilyeau's books: rich with drama and unforgettable characters, they are the kind of books that just sweep you up. Here, Bilyeau makes an industrial endeavor -- the 18th century passion for blue porcelain -- a captivating, dramatic story, centered on a winning heroine.
Genevieve Planché is a descendant of French Huguenot refugees. A talented artist, she hopes to be mentored by William Hogarth, but her grandfather wishes her to work as a artisan at the Derby porcelainworks. Her rebellious childhood sweetheart leads her, instead, into a mystifying, increasingly deadly world of industrial espionage -- and us readers into a fascinating world where the scientific pursuit of blue glaze motivates nations and nobles.
I loved every page of this book, and my only complaint is that I felt it wrapped up a little too quickly. Genevieve is an intriguing character, one of those fiery heroines who feel authentic rather than overly modern, and she's faced with complicated challenges. (Honestly, there was a point where I was wishing we could have a novel where she sides with our 'villain' because their chemistry was just as delicious as hers with the hero.) Bilyeau evokes Genevieve's world without infodumping and the interpersonal drama is so good and so real.
Another winning read from Bilyeau.
Initial Thoughts
Fascinating historical novel about the 18th century passion for porcelain and in particular, the cutthroat search for the perfect blue. We've a Huguenot heroine with artistic aspirations, who gets roped into investigating the rumors of a blue coming from a Derby porcelain works; a dashing, dastardly noble; a dashing, brilliant inventor; and Madame de Pompadour.
I loved how effortlessly Bilyeau plunges into the porcelain passion without infodumping; I understood the how and the why without feeling bored. Our heroine is genuinely smart and fierce and interesting; and the interpersonal stuff is really, really good.
Honestly, my only complaint is that the ending felt rushed and a tad too neat; I could have used another 100 pages. I also found myself wanting an Author's Note, because I'm dying to know if that big climatic scene is true. (As well as everything with .)
I'm a longtime fan of Nancy Bilyeau's books: rich with drama and unforgettable characters, they are the kind of books that just sweep you up. Here, Bilyeau makes an industrial endeavor -- the 18th century passion for blue porcelain -- a captivating, dramatic story, centered on a winning heroine.
Genevieve Planché is a descendant of French Huguenot refugees. A talented artist, she hopes to be mentored by William Hogarth, but her grandfather wishes her to work as a artisan at the Derby porcelainworks. Her rebellious childhood sweetheart leads her, instead, into a mystifying, increasingly deadly world of industrial espionage -- and us readers into a fascinating world where the scientific pursuit of blue glaze motivates nations and nobles.
I loved every page of this book, and my only complaint is that I felt it wrapped up a little too quickly. Genevieve is an intriguing character, one of those fiery heroines who feel authentic rather than overly modern, and she's faced with complicated challenges. (Honestly, there was a point where I was wishing we could have a novel where she sides with our 'villain' because their chemistry was just as delicious as hers with the hero.) Bilyeau evokes Genevieve's world without infodumping and the interpersonal drama is so good and so real.
Another winning read from Bilyeau.
Initial Thoughts
Fascinating historical novel about the 18th century passion for porcelain and in particular, the cutthroat search for the perfect blue. We've a Huguenot heroine with artistic aspirations, who gets roped into investigating the rumors of a blue coming from a Derby porcelain works; a dashing, dastardly noble; a dashing, brilliant inventor; and Madame de Pompadour.
I loved how effortlessly Bilyeau plunges into the porcelain passion without infodumping; I understood the how and the why without feeling bored. Our heroine is genuinely smart and fierce and interesting; and the interpersonal stuff is really, really good.
Spoiler
So much so, I wish we could get another novel, one in which our heroine threw in her lot with that dashing, dastardly noble.Honestly, my only complaint is that the ending felt rushed and a tad too neat; I could have used another 100 pages. I also found myself wanting an Author's Note, because I'm dying to know if that big climatic scene