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lilylanie's review against another edition
4.0
This is a beautiful book, and couldn't have come out at a better time with all the hype over Les Miserables. It is set in a slightly more modern time - later in the 1800s - and focuses on a very poor family consisting of an absinthe-addicted widow and her three young daughters. Each of the girls shows the potential to be a great ballet dancer, and each in their turn tries to become a member of the Paris Opera.
For such girls, rising above poverty can happen in only a few ways. Each of the girls attempts to do this in their own way, some more successfully than others.
This is an absolutely beautiful and moving story, with wonderful, rich characters and scenes. It's fascinating to witness life and the arts in an era such as this, where the sorts of lives that we now think of as glamorous and respectable were once considered to be base and almost obscene.
Only after I finished the novel did I realize that this story was inspired by true events, including an actual painting by Dégas that was posed for by a young ballerina. I love this sort of story, where an author tries to suppose what might have inspired a true work of art. If I were to compare this to one of my other favorite authors of this genre, Tracy Chevalier, I would have to say that by comparison Chevalier's work seems quite fluffy, whereas this is a far more substantial and intricately wrought story.
For such girls, rising above poverty can happen in only a few ways. Each of the girls attempts to do this in their own way, some more successfully than others.
This is an absolutely beautiful and moving story, with wonderful, rich characters and scenes. It's fascinating to witness life and the arts in an era such as this, where the sorts of lives that we now think of as glamorous and respectable were once considered to be base and almost obscene.
Only after I finished the novel did I realize that this story was inspired by true events, including an actual painting by Dégas that was posed for by a young ballerina. I love this sort of story, where an author tries to suppose what might have inspired a true work of art. If I were to compare this to one of my other favorite authors of this genre, Tracy Chevalier, I would have to say that by comparison Chevalier's work seems quite fluffy, whereas this is a far more substantial and intricately wrought story.
brighroosh's review against another edition
4.0
This book includes many of my interests-ballet and art- all set in the late 1800's in Paris. I was pleased to find out after reading it that it the author, Buchanan, had incorporated historical characters into her story. But she pulled off a neat trick, having them interact, whereas in real life they were just of the same time and place.
Three sisters, Antoinette, Marie, and Charlotte, try to survive by working at the local laundry, bakery, or as "petits rats," the starting position for young girls aspiring to work their way up the intricate hierarchy in ballet.
Monsieur Degas wants to draw, paint, and create a statue of Marie having seen her as one of the "petits rats." Besides Degas paying her for modeling, other men "sponsor" the ballerinas in their career, some with unsaid ways to repay them.
Antoinette, the oldest, is no longer with the Paris Opera, so finds ways to keep the rent paid and provide food, because Mamam is addicted to absinthe. Charlotte's story comes more fully into light by the end of the book
The interaction of the sisters is genuine - loving and yet harsh sometimes.
I felt immersed in the time and place that Buchanan created. Her research into ballet terminology, the newspaper headlines, and even poetry written by Degas all added to the authenticity of this novel, bring the characters to life.
Three sisters, Antoinette, Marie, and Charlotte, try to survive by working at the local laundry, bakery, or as "petits rats," the starting position for young girls aspiring to work their way up the intricate hierarchy in ballet.
Monsieur Degas wants to draw, paint, and create a statue of Marie having seen her as one of the "petits rats." Besides Degas paying her for modeling, other men "sponsor" the ballerinas in their career, some with unsaid ways to repay them.
Antoinette, the oldest, is no longer with the Paris Opera, so finds ways to keep the rent paid and provide food, because Mamam is addicted to absinthe. Charlotte's story comes more fully into light by the end of the book
The interaction of the sisters is genuine - loving and yet harsh sometimes.
I felt immersed in the time and place that Buchanan created. Her research into ballet terminology, the newspaper headlines, and even poetry written by Degas all added to the authenticity of this novel, bring the characters to life.
agob187's review against another edition
3.0
This book sounded so intriguing once I heard it was about a ballet student who modeled for a statue in the 1800's. Sounded like something I'd really enjoy reading for sure.
I did enjoy this book (wanted to give it probably a 3.5)and the characters, but I found I got a little bored with it. I was right into the story for about half of the book, and then I found it to drag on a bit.
It's beautifully written, I think I just have too many important things happening in my life right now to really appreciate much at the moment. Although now I sort of do want to do hunt down this statue!
I'd read Buchanan again definitely.
I did enjoy this book (wanted to give it probably a 3.5)and the characters, but I found I got a little bored with it. I was right into the story for about half of the book, and then I found it to drag on a bit.
It's beautifully written, I think I just have too many important things happening in my life right now to really appreciate much at the moment. Although now I sort of do want to do hunt down this statue!
I'd read Buchanan again definitely.
mchristinepo's review against another edition
5.0
I listened to the audio book version of this book and I believe that has made a difference in how much I liked this book. If I were to read this book "normally" I probably would have found it to be insanely long and dragging.
The audio book provided different narrators for Antoinnete and Marie and their voices and tone throughout the novel were very district and it was easy to distinguish the age gap and various struggles. It was also helpful to hear the French words and terminologies rather than for me to read it (and pronounce it wrong in my head). That made the story much more authentic to me.
Also, many ballet terminologies were talked about in the book without any explanation as to what they look like. With ballet being an obvious visual art, I can see it being difficult to visualize the ballet scenes for those who do not know the terms.
I loved how this novel was based off true historical facts. I know want to watch the documentary about these sisters. This has everything that I love all in one book; history, ballet, and art history. When I was a more 'serious' dancer back in the day, my studio had prints of the Degas paintings framed and it is really cool to see how it all started. While I ended up REALLY loving this book and has become one of my favorites, I can certainly understand how some people may not like it so much.
The audio book provided different narrators for Antoinnete and Marie and their voices and tone throughout the novel were very district and it was easy to distinguish the age gap and various struggles. It was also helpful to hear the French words and terminologies rather than for me to read it (and pronounce it wrong in my head). That made the story much more authentic to me.
Also, many ballet terminologies were talked about in the book without any explanation as to what they look like. With ballet being an obvious visual art, I can see it being difficult to visualize the ballet scenes for those who do not know the terms.
I loved how this novel was based off true historical facts. I know want to watch the documentary about these sisters. This has everything that I love all in one book; history, ballet, and art history. When I was a more 'serious' dancer back in the day, my studio had prints of the Degas paintings framed and it is really cool to see how it all started. While I ended up REALLY loving this book and has become one of my favorites, I can certainly understand how some people may not like it so much.
bookish_paige's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tayloranne's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loved this story! Buchanan did a great job of writing the characters and making my heartache for them and the results of their actions (not to discredit the fact they were not handed the best cards of life!).
brodie_jones's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
utahmomreads's review against another edition
5.0
Inspired by the art of Edgar Degas, Cathy Marie Buchanan recreates the life of Marie van Goethem, Degas's model for much of his artwork and his famous statue of a young ballerina in her new novel The Painted Girls.
Paris, France in 1878 is not all idyllic romance. Marie and her sisters Antoinette and Charlotte have recently lost their father and must now do their best to support their impoverished family. The younger girls begin their study of ballet hoping to become petits rats at the Paris Opera. Antoinette, who has already been dismissed from the Quadrille, gets works as a walk-on actress in the famous play L'Assommoir by Emile Zola. While Marie finds success at ballet and as a model for Degas, Antoinette falls in love with another amateur actor in the play--Emile Abadie.
Antoinette and Marie are interesting, unique literary characters that are fully alive in The Painted Girls. Not always wise and very naive, the girls have a limited number of choices based on their unfortunate circumstances. However it's empowering to watch them grow and learn to take control of their own lives.
Tying together the pieces from history--the art of Degas, the literature of Zola, and the string of murders in the city, Buchanan creates her own fascinating study of poverty, crime, and the possibility of goodness and honesty in the depths of despair and filth. This novel deals with the harsh realities for poor young women. It is occasionally raw and brutally honest but also hopeful and lovely. This is historical fiction at its best.
Paris, France in 1878 is not all idyllic romance. Marie and her sisters Antoinette and Charlotte have recently lost their father and must now do their best to support their impoverished family. The younger girls begin their study of ballet hoping to become petits rats at the Paris Opera. Antoinette, who has already been dismissed from the Quadrille, gets works as a walk-on actress in the famous play L'Assommoir by Emile Zola. While Marie finds success at ballet and as a model for Degas, Antoinette falls in love with another amateur actor in the play--Emile Abadie.
Antoinette and Marie are interesting, unique literary characters that are fully alive in The Painted Girls. Not always wise and very naive, the girls have a limited number of choices based on their unfortunate circumstances. However it's empowering to watch them grow and learn to take control of their own lives.
Tying together the pieces from history--the art of Degas, the literature of Zola, and the string of murders in the city, Buchanan creates her own fascinating study of poverty, crime, and the possibility of goodness and honesty in the depths of despair and filth. This novel deals with the harsh realities for poor young women. It is occasionally raw and brutally honest but also hopeful and lovely. This is historical fiction at its best.