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A review by brighroosh
The Painted Girls by Cathy Marie Buchanan
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.