A review by earthier
The Painted Girls by Cathy Marie Buchanan

2.0

I read this for the Degas & Zola aspects and was unfortunately disappointed. The novel alternates Antoinette and  Marie’s perspectives and experiences although Marie is more central to the plot. The story isn’t linear as it alternates between the sisters at times overlapping the same event or having flashbacks to reflect on current guilt. The art of it is minimal, so the story is naturalist but it’s very tedious as Abadie and an abonne from the ballet is incorporated. 

It’s more (sociologically) about the sisters misadventure(s) struggling, struggling with life, a bad mother, men, love and loving themselves and Parisian society.