Monday, June 4, 2012

Book Review: Clara and Mr. Tiffany by Susan Vreeland

I love historical fiction with big female characters. And that’s what Susan Vreeland serves up with Clara and Mr. Tiffany, her homage to the “New Independent Woman” who ran the women’s design studio responsible for many of the best-known Tiffany lamp designs around the turn of the 20th century, Clara Driscoll.

Vreeland brings to life a story that only a few people knew – the story of Tiffany’s Women’s Division, and the prejudice his female workers faced at the hands of both Tiffany’s male workers and the unions that represented them – and from which women were barred. While open-minded enough to admire the talent and innovation of the women he hired, Tiffany’s company policies specifically prevented them from working directly with men, or from working once they were married. Additionally, the individual designer’s of Tiffany’s award winning lamps and windows were not given credit in his catalogues, allowing Tiffany to benefit from the actions of the women, while binding them to him in their obscurity.

 In addition to the feminist tension, there’s also capitalist tension, with Tiffany’s financial officers constantly at war with Tiffany’s designers. Not surprisingly, the “suits” are seeking profitability, while the “hands” are moved by creativity. The heart of this debate goes back as far as artists have required benefactors to pay for their continued innovation. But it’s interesting that this particular debate about the “corporatization” of art took place right at the time when the ornamentation of the Victorian era was being replaced by a more modern aesthetic. It made me wonder how much of the change was driven by the desire to produce more profitable art.

 The novel is compelling, and I found myself indignant at times, and charmed at others. But there were also times when I felt the story was somewhat constrained by Clara’s first person narration. I think that’s because Vreeland wants us to have context for Driscoll’s amazing accomplishments, but it served to contort the narrative, making Clara’s voice seem stilted, or worse, boastful:
Creativity happens, I thought, when you look at one thing and see another – like Mr. Tiffany seeing a lamp in a nautilus shell. No one would think of a woven basket in connection with an underwater scene, but I did. Fish swimming among tall seaweed made me think of a current threading its wayin front of and behind the warp of reeds. Water made of ripple glass could give the illusion that strips of glass could be pliable, as they might appear underwater. The fish would be recognizable but the rest more abstract, simpler, with fewer “things” in the sea. I sensed a coming breakthrough from Victorian quaintness to a new idiom, and took the drawing to Mr. Belknap. He approved immediately.p.209
You had me until the “coming breakthrough.” It’s a little thing, but in other parts the book reads so well that the “social history lesson” parts felt distracting. What I did love was Vreeland’s telling of the complex story of how Tiffany windows and lamps evolved, and how the Tiffany Studios pushed the boundaries of technique and design to produce the gorgeous pieces I’ve oohed-and-aahed at in museums. And I was somehow glad to know that a committed group of women were working ahead of their time to bring the pieces to life.

 This book is highly recommended for lovers of historical fiction and feminist fiction, especially those interested in the history of women in the workplace. I read this book as part of a TLC Book Tour for the paperback release of this novel, and received a copy in return for my honest opinion. Your can find links to other opinions here.

18 comments:

  1. Feminist AND capitalist tension? That sounds like a book to sink your teeth into!

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    1. I enjoyed it very much, and from what I've read on your blog, I'd definitely recommend this one!

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  2. I was so excited for this novel until I saw a few negative reviews but yours has me eager for it again -- the themes you lift up are the stuff I adore -- meaaty, compelling, dear-to-my-heart...I need to get this one!

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    1. I will be very interested to hear your opinion on this one, Audra! I absolutely loved the story -- but I did find myself wishing the narration wasn't in the first person, so I could have enjoyed the "history lesson" more. I think that may be my inner nerd making an appearance :)

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  3. I was just thinking that I hadn't stopped by in so long! For shame... it's been a crazy couple of weeks.

    I attempted this one after seeing it many times in book stores and the library (cover art is beautiful). I have a story that I saw The History of Love about a million times and always thought about buying it but never did. THEN when I finally bought it and read it, I was like WHAT WERE YOU THINKING waiting so long?! So. I picked it up. However, I really couldn't get into it. I found Clara's character very lackluster. You're making me think I should give it another go at a later date.

    Hope you're doing well! :)

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    1. There hasn't been much to stop in for, since I was traveling for a month -- but I'm back now, and very glad you stopped by! I'm sorry the book didn't work for you. Clara IS very reserved at the beginning of the book, I agree. But she does get feistier as the book goes on!

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  4. I LOVED the audio version of this one; glad u liked it as well.

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    1. I imagine this would have been a great audio -- I also imagine it would make a wonderful movie, especially because of how beautiful the visuals would be!

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  5. I have been circling this book for awhile now. I lived most of my life in Auburn, NY, and Tiffany Glass Co. designed the interior of Willard Chapel, which is an historical site and very beautiful. Your review has convinced me to buy the book.

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    1. Wow, I would love to see that chapel -- especially on a sunny day! I really hope you enjoy the book, Diane!

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  6. There's an amazing collection of Tiffany at the Morse Museum near Winter Park, FL, not too far from my in-laws (and Orlando). I keep telling myself to go visit next time we're in FL but I never get around to it. Maybe I should read this book and it'll behoove me to go.

    Is it just me or is there a real trend about artists in historical fiction? I did like Luncheon of the Boating party though I don't remember a single character or hardly anything else about it.

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    1. I couldn't agree more, Karen. I thought Tracy Chevalier had cornered the market on it, but it seems that there's a book in every painting! (I think The Moon and Sixpence was the prototype!)

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  7. You did a marvelous job in your review of showing us so many aspects of the novel which escaped me. Truthfully, I could only read about so many pieces of glass being cut without feeling like I was watching paint dry. My mother lived this book when I loaned it to her, but me? Not so much. My favorite part was your review.

    Hope school is out for you by now and you're getting some time to yourself.

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    1. Oh for crying out loud, I meant my mother "loved" this book...shows what you get when I leave a comment with my iPhone. :)

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    2. Hahaha! That's kind of what I thought. I'm sorry the book didn't work for you, and I even understand the reasons why it didn't. I read so much academic literature that I think I've really begun to enjoy the details -- kind of scary, isn't it?

      I am happy to be back to the blog, if only to share ideas with wonderful people like you, Bellezza! Hope your summer is off to a great start!

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  8. I agree with your review completely. This book had me so emotionally invested that when it stated teaching me too much it dragged. However, it was a fascinating story on a topic that I was intrigued to learn more about.

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    1. I think a third-person narration would have made the history pill easier to swallow :) Still, I learned a lot!

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  9. I think it would be interesting to read about the capitalist tension in a very creative business. We face it at work often but we do not create art - I cannot imagine being pressured by the "suits" when you are creative at heart.

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I absolutely love comments. Thanks for taking the time to share! Col