I thoroughly enjoyed reading this dual timeline, historical novel about the renowned painter Thomas Gainsborough and his family. Author Emily Howes previously received acclaim for several of her short stories and deservedly received the 2021 Mslexia Novel Prize for her manuscript for this, her first novel, prior to its publication. Ms. Howes’s writing is excellent, compelling me to finish reading The Painter’s Daughters in just a few sittings.

Ms. Howe effectively evokes the atmosphere and attitudes of England in the 1700s, demonstrating the precariousness of women and their utter reliance upon men for their protection and well-being, while at the same time showing their ferocity and determination to effect their own destiny despite society’s perils and pitfalls. Unfortunately, Ms. Howe also illustrates how easily women could be manipulated and exploited and abused by men, a climate that continues today. Women have forever been at the mercy of men.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced reader’s copy of The Painter’s Daughters. My review is wholly voluntary.

This book was so interesting. Knowing that anyone during that period of time, especially women, would be thrown into an unsafe and scary mental institution while suffering from mental health crises made me enjoy this book even more. It offered a really interesting critique on the polite culture of Europe at the time, while also discussing feminism and mental health with a historical lens. I loved this book and will recommend it to many from now on.

Good story about sisters that went above and beyond. The writing was quite good as was the overall story. Well developed characters made for a good read.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this new novel.

The pace of this novel was too slow for me and I lost interest.

As a fan of historical fiction, I was very interested in this book. It was much darker than expected but not in a way that I found off-putting. The author captured the differences between the sisters very well.

A story of love, madness, sisterly devotion, and control, about the two beloved daughters of renowned 1700s English painter Thomas Gainsborough, who struggle to live up to the perfect image the world so admired in their portraits.

he Painter's Daughters by Emily Howes is a beautifully written historical novel that weaves art, family, and romance into a compelling story. With its richly developed characters and emotional depth, it’s a heartfelt and captivating read that lingers long after you finish.

Gorgeous historical fiction with a richly evoked setting in time and place, and absolutely beautiful prose. I was so invested in these two sisters struggling to fit into an age and culture that rejected both, navigating their family and society.

Two young daughters are the center of a story about growing up in family and time where women were silent and meant for marriage. Neither daughter fits the mold of the society. One is outspoken and brash and is the caretaker of her sister who has "madness' about her that everyone wishes to conceal. In addition, the father is a typical aloof male figure who is an artist vs a nobleman and has to paint for a living. The mother is constantly worried about social appearance and marriage prospects. Seems your typical period drama, then a mystery unfolds throughout the book as we learn about a barmaid that has an affair and how that storyline twists into the first. The story is a good idea. It seems the author spent more time focused on the sister interactions which became repetitive to me. The story carries a dark tone throughout and concludes the same. I liked it but not sure I would recommend this to many as it is a very specific style.

Molly & Peggy, daughters of Thomas Gainsborough, one of England's most famous portrait painters of the 1700's. The girls were fiercely devoted to each other with Peggy always watching out for Molly who often disappeared into her own world, often disappearing in the night no matter how much Peggy tried to tie her up and lock her in their room. Their mother was a socialite who wanted to live in Bath among the elite of society. Their father wanted to stay in Ipswich to live peacefully in the countryside.

Life gets more challenging for the girls after their family moves to Bath. Peggy hides Molly's "condition" but when found out things are much worse.

History to me is so much more interesting than fiction and this story did not disappoint!

My thanks to Net Galley and and Simon & Schuster for an advanced copy of this e-book.

I've never DNFed a NetGalley book before, and I do feel awful for doing it now. But I've tired multiple times and can't seem to connect in any meaningful way. The writing is lovely, the premise a winner, and yet ...

It could simply be that my personal life is too distracting, or "wrong time to be reading," but I've noted that other reviewers who struggled from the start never really regained their footing, so I decided to cut my losses and try for something with more of a personal fit. I'm happy to see this author mostly gained favorable reviews; it is no small feat to write historical fiction, and I imagine years went into this book's crafting.

I loved this! Not sure why we haven't seen more buzz for it. If you like well written historical fiction, especially set in mid 1800's England, you will adore this. We follow famous painter Thomas Gainsborough's real life daughters throughout their lives. The author took her well researched information, and filled in the holes with this expertly crafted story. It did take me a bit to get into it, but once I was 1/4 of the way in, I was fully hooked with Molly and Peggy's story-strong sisterly bonds with scandals, art, secrets, and Molly's "madness", as the family tries to keep hidden from the world. It's not an easy feat, with Dad being a famous painter and Mom wanting more for her girls from life, especially given their secret lineage.

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!