An incredible debut set in 1700s England. Art, sisterhood, madness and loyalty are explored beautifully. Really unique, interesting story.

It is a well written book and I enjoyed the historical fiction about the Gainsborough family with focus on his two daughters. The book would be of particular interest to those who appreciate historical fiction and those who have a special interest in art.

This biographical fiction novel that examines art, sibling relationships, family dynamics and mental illness was so well done. Howes brought the characters to life and this one tugged at my heart a bit. A great read for lovers of historical fiction and art. I loved this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for this arc in exchange for a fair review.

The Painter's Daughters by Emily Howes. Pub Date: February 27, 2024. Rating: 3 stars. In this novel, the reader is introduced to the daughters of a famous painter named Thomas Gainsborough. This novel was dreary and slow. I think this novel was a good attempt at shedding light on women of historical significance due to their famous painter father, but overall the story was depressing. One daughter had mental health issues and the other daughter felt she had to closely watch over her sister due to a father who was seldom home and a mother who was not consistently present/caring towards them. I really wanted to love this novel because I love learning about new people throughout history, but sadly this one did not resonate with me. Thanks to #netgalley and #simonandschuster for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

This one wasn't doing it for me.It was really a struggle to get to 50% where I DNFed. It was just so slow moving, it took me almost 6 months to get there, I was still left wondering what the point of the story was and where it was going from there.

The painter is Thomas Gainsborough. . .he was a Brit, painting in the 18th century. You're sure to have seen his work in books or museums - that very sure-of-himself teen in the blue satin leaning toward surly? Like he wants to quit the modeling business entirely? Painting name is Blue Boy, and maybe that's what set him off? Anyway - my forever 14-year old brother once explained that Gainsboroughs are usually George Washingtons and wife in a smoky landscape. He wasn't too far off.

Emily Howe's book is about Gainsborough's daughters, Molly and Peggy (aka Margaret). When Gainsborough didn't have a George W to model for him, he often painted his girls, so you've most likely seen them once or twice as well. Pretty, and usually have that "are we done yet" look about them. This is the story of their family life - complicated by the increasingly apparent mental inconsistencies showing up in Molly's behavior. Peggy wanted to make sure that was never focused on for she had heard about places that swallowed up women and girls who were "different" and she didn't want Molly taken away, resulting in Peg's compensating. Molly sometimes notices and sometimes doesn't - but is aware. The story shows their conflicted feelings of resentment, guilt and genuine concern. Sisters caught between parents who share a goal seeking wealth and fame, but travel toward that end from divergent paths, secrets held close, all the while - complicated.

For me an unsettling, but compelling read. . .after reading, those museum faces looking out at you will hit with a fresh sympathy for all that's unknown in those painted spaces. At least that's my new frame. . .

*A sincere thank you to Emily Howes, Simon & Schuster, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.*

A story of sisters and madness from the 1700s. These are real people who show up in Thomas Gainborough's paintings (the painter of the title), who are used effectively to image the life and limitations of women of their class and time. Threaded in is the story of another woman, which eventually ties into the main sister's thread. I think they could have been interwoven a little more smoothly - I'm not sure the AH! moment towards the end when we realize how she ties in is worth not knowing throughout.

The Painter's Daughters is a historical fiction following two sisters, Peg and Molly Gainsborough. This story is tragic but beautiful. I have such a soft spot for any sister bonding plot lines. I will definitely read this again
thank you net galley, emily howes, & the publisher for the arc!

I like historical fiction and this book did not disappoint. It was a well written story about the life of Gainsborough as told through the eyes of his daughters. Unfortunately, one daughter is mentally ill and the other daughter takes on full responsibility for her sister. Not surprisingly there are some tragic consequences and, of course, the suspicion of 18th century English people. I dare not say more as it will give away much of the book.

If you like historical fiction, I think you will like this book.

The inspiration behind this book was exciting to me, working from the paintings of a popular portrait artists in Bath in the 1700’s to tell a story about the lives of his daughters (and also their maternal grandmother? that was out of nowhere) but the end result was bland. The sisters have a life of adventure, aside from Molly’s mysterious illness, while living in the countryside, but when they are moved to town to encourage them to grow up into proper young ladies, shocker they get into trouble and the mysterious illness is not cured by the Bath baths! Overall I found this book lacking strong plot, too dependent on the framework of the portraits. The girls were interesting as characters but the way they were manipulated throughout the story just left me asking “why?” I found nothing compelling here, and at the end I was left with no payoff, just a slightly bad taste in the mouth.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Simon & Schuster, for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for this honest review!!

Thanks to NetGalley for the free advance copy of The Painter’s Daughters by Emily Howes in exchange for an honest review.

This masterwork of historical fiction tells the story of 18th century portrait artist Thomas Gainsborough’s two daughters, Molly and Peg. Interspersed with the main story line is one featuring Meg Grey, the daughter of an abusive inkeeper . The picture painted by the author of mid- to late-century Ipswich and Bath where the Gainsboroughs resided is vivid and enticing, and the manner in which the two story lines ultimately intersect is a revelation.

Themes include the toll of mental illness, the limits of 18th century women’s options, and the effect of class differences on everyone involved. The writing is beautiful and evocative and it’s a wonder that this is a first novel. I can’t wait to read what this author writes next. Five enthusiastic stars.

While somewhat slow-moving, this was an interesting story, based mostly in fact, of the two daughters of 18th century British artist Thomas Gainsborough. Though the younger of the two, Peggy devoted most of her life to protecting her sister Molly, who exhibited increasingly odd and sometimes dangerous behavior. Gainsborough's wife was determined to bring their daughters up "in society" and to enable them to find husbands who could support them in the manner she believed they deserved; for that reason, it seemed critical that Molly's illness be kept secret. The novel follows the family from their country home to the city of Bath, where they could take part in society, with the potential risks and benefits abounded.

There was alot of sadness in this book and there is not really a happy ending. The story is told from two different characters, each on their own timeline. I felt bad for the two daughters (Molly and Peggy) and the emotional turmoil that they experienced growing up. Their parents put so much pressure on them to behave and act a certain way. So when Molly's mental state starts changing, Peggy feels like she has to hide Molly's episodes. Howes has a talent for describing settings and includes details that transports you to the scene. Another one of my favorite elements of the book is the dialogue between the characters. The converstations and arguments just drew me in! The history notes at the end of the book were also an interesting factor that added to the overall story.

3.25. I love historical fiction so was looking forward to reading this novel about the two daughters of the famous painter, Thomas Gainsborough. It’s an interesting story on the close relationship of the two sisters, Molly and Peggy, and their relationship and the challenges it brings to them and the family. I really had trouble getting into this novel, however. I liked the time period, 1700s England and parts on Bath, but otherwise I was underwhelmed. I expected more on the father and his painting but the novel really was a piece on the two sisters. A debut novel and obviously well researched. Thank you to Netgalley for providing me a copy in exchange for a candid and unbiased review.

Unfortuately, this book just was not for me. I struggled to get into it, and it fell flat.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the ARC.

Haunting and beautiful historical fiction about Thomas Gainsborough's daughters 🔥🔥. The author writes young girls well and ages them naturally, giving their development a role in revealing this story's secrets. Gainsborough's paintings are referenced through the girls' memories of sitting for them and seeing them in their homes. I loved the writing, and gasped at the twists - also worth reading the little bit at the end explaining the historical record, and how the art inspired the plot.

<I>Thanks to NetGalley for the arc

After many attempts to read this book, I decided to DNF this story. I was intrigued by the description and appreciated the author’s interest in bringing the story of this English painter to life, but I struggled with the writing style and felt like I couldn’t completely lose myself in the story. I think readers who enjoy historical fiction and are lovers of art will really resonate with the story.

Thank you to Emily Howes, Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book for an honest review.

This is a beautiful debut book of sisters, love, & The lengths families go for each other. This is a true treasure of a book.

I loved the art aspect of this historical fiction novel as well as the story of sisterhood. Howes' writing is lyrical, and she paints (no pun intended) a vivid portrait of the time, of love and devotiion, and the things we do to survive.

Thanks to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the copy to review.

Thank you @netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy of The Painter’s Daughters by Emily Howes. This is a fictionalized story of the daughters of 18th century artist Thomas Gainesborough. Penny is the younger daughter, and she is very worried about the behavior of her older sister Molly. Molly has moments of “madness”, and Penny worries that she will be taken away to an institution. As the book goes on, we learn of a connection to the English royal family, which may have a genetic mental health issue. I have not been a huge lover of historical fiction recently, but I did like this. There were times while reading it that I had trouble keeping track of the characters and story lines, but that seemed to get better as I went along. #thepaintersdaughters #emilyhowes #bookstagram #netgalley #takeapagefrommybook #lovetoread #readallthebooks #readersofinstagram #historicalfiction #bookloversofinstagram