Youth and the Bright Medusa Book

I was able to meet and listen to this author as I was just getting into this book. The author is very interesting and friendly. She didn't start writing until she retired from teaching for 30 years.

This is the story about Clara Driscoll who was just recently discovered (about 2005) to have designed the most artistic and detailed of the famed Tiffany lamps. Mr. Tiffany took the credit for the designs from his studio with the exception of one entered in a Paris exhibition for which he named Clara as the designer.

The novel is set in the late 1800's to the early 1900's. Women were just finally getting to work outside the home and to work in the arts. Comfort Tiffany was extremely eccentric and loved beautiful things. He hired Sara and a department of women as his vision of more exquisite windows was expanding. It is thought that Clara designed the most intricate butterfly, wisteria, etc. lamps of which there is a very limited edition. In the end Clara must decide what makes her happiest, the professional world of her hands or the personal world of her heart.

I enjoyed getting to know the varied characters in the boardinghouse where Clara lives. Highlights of the changing of the new Century included the first "skyscrapers" notably the Flatiron building which was the first of its kind, electricity into everyday lighting, the subways and many more iconic features are mentioned and described in the book.

I enjoyed this book a lot. It was well written with wonderful characters not easily forgotten.

Recommended for lovers of historical fiction and Tiffany lamps!