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Comments (29)

What did you think about this title?
1 to 25 of 29 items
Jan 01, 2022ellenorndorf rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
I didn't like this book very much. It didn't have much character development. It is loosely based on a young model that Degas.
May 28, 2021Tica77 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This book was written in 2012. The author did a wonderful job of describing the life of the three van Goethem sisters who lived in late 19th century Paris. Marie, the second sister, was the actual model of Degas’ Little dancer 14 years…
May 28, 2017CatherineG_1 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Read this with my book club. Loved the book. The story was very well done and based loosely on two sisters who were Degas's models for his art work. The ballerinas who posed for him earned more for their modelling than their work in the…
May 21, 2017heatherfield rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
The author does well to bring 19th century Paris to life—as well as weave a story in the empty spaces of what is known about historical people and events—but I did not particularly care for the plot or the characters she created. Sadly, it…
May 16, 2016KMJ_ rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Degas is a minor character in this book, with the main protagonist being the model for his statue, Little Fourteen-Year-Old Dancer. Marie and Antoinette are sisters trying to support themselves and their little sister. Marie becomes a…
Jul 21, 2015
From our 2015 #80DayRead Summer Reading Club traveler Rachel: I greatly enjoy this story. What a treat when you love history and art.
Jun 20, 2015
A beautiful book, I loved reading it for my English class.
Jun 16, 2015Wong_Anne rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
The Painted Girls purports to tell the story of the van Goethem girls, desperately poor young women who live with their mother in the shadow of Montmatre. The novel is based in historical fact – Marie van Goethem at the age of 14 was the…
May 29, 2014
looking forward to reading this a second time.
Feb 04, 2014DanglingConversations rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This book is well written, has some brilliant insight into live in poverty stricken Paris. I will never look at a Degus painting with the same eyes. However the author falls short of genius. Why could she not have made this an epic, more…
Kaytee33
Dec 08, 2013Kaytee33 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
A very memorable story of two sisters. A bit sad though - I had to take breaks when things got bad for the girls.
Sep 26, 2013bshokal rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Interesting story that gives insight into the social views and conditions in Paris in the late 1880s. Few choices for the working class and even fewer for women. No insight offered on the life of Degus whose famous paintings and…
Sep 11, 2013WormsBookChief rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Really enjoyed this book, felt I learned about some of the history of Paris at the time, about Degas, and was riveted by the relationship of the sisters and how they each responded to challenge and change.
Sep 04, 2013goofy rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
A story of the relationship of sisters against the backdrop of 19th century Paris where Degas works of art are brought to life in this novel,
siammarino
Aug 21, 2013siammarino rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Great historical fiction describing the dancers painted by Degas, and the trials they faced hoping to escape from poverty by joining the Opera. I will look at Degas' art with a new insight in to his subjects and a new appreciation for…
Aug 04, 2013retrouth rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
A wonderful read. An excellent choice for any woman with a sister, and anyone who appreciates Degas' works of art. This book has the ring of authenticity for the times (late 1800's in Paris).
Jul 15, 2013JeanneQ rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I greatly enjoyed this book. It was a wonderful insight into life for the lower classes in Belle Epoque Paris. I have always admired the work of Edgar Degas, a brilliant artist but a man flawed with prejudice. I had no idea that many of…
Jul 14, 2013
This book of historical fiction tells the back story surrounding the creation of Edgar Degas sculpture Little Dancer Aged Fourteen and lets us into the lives of the struggling Van Goethem family of model Marie and her sisters Antoinette…
luv2read_3
Jun 28, 2013luv2read_3 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this book, but didn't realize initially it is based on the lives of a real family. My next task is to look up the paintings and sculpture of Degas which form part of this interesting story!
Jun 18, 2013GLNovak rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
I enjoyed the book, as much for the story of life behind both Degas' work and Zola's novel L,Assommoir about laundresses as for the flavour of the times. The decision to tell the tale from two perspectives, Antoinette's and Marie's, gave…
Jun 11, 2013five4kc rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Truly enjoyed this book. Great description of life during that time period. Interesting premise for the story. Would definitely recommend. Good for book clubs.
vanilla1
May 11, 2013vanilla1 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Beautiful portrayal of sister support and love through the most difficult of circumstances.
Apr 28, 2013nipper rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
WONDERFUL....the story, the writing, so realistic and heart breaking...loved every page
Apr 08, 2013harrisc rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
I did ballet till I was 16, and was intrigued by a Degas print that someone gave me when I was a kid. It took a while to completely get into this novel, but it was worth it. For people who enjoy historical fiction, this book captured…
Mar 27, 2013nelll rated this title 2.5 out of 5 stars
I was not impressed with this book - yes times were tough during that period of time - but nothing exciting happened that hasn't already happened before.