Water is a reflection of the eternal that adds the face of eternity to glass. we recognize this as beauty. it does this in the same way that water shapes the soul of man, by inhibiting the formation of the things that prevent crystallization. in man, those things that prevent the crystallization of the soul are vanity and hubris. venetians wear masks to remind themselves of this connection to water and to keep them from going insane in the knowledge of what is beneath the reflections -chicken johnny- master muranese glassblower in this quirky new novel that reflects on the nature of fortune, an expatriate american businesswoman adrift in the world, and a san francisco restauranteur on a final journey look beneath their reflections in the timeless waters of venice to find that which bends the world is love.