"The Painter's Daughters" by Emily Howes is a work of historical fiction that follows the lives of Molly and Peggy, the daughters of Thomas Gainsborough, one of the most renowned portrait artists of 1700s England. Though I was completely captivated by the story of the sisters, this is not a light, easy read. At times it was difficult to read of the challenges women faced in those times, though the love shared by the sisters was heartwarming and inspirational. Interwoven throughout Molly's and Peggy's story are chapters about a seemingly unconnected, but also thoroughly interesting, woman named Meg, adding a layer of mystery to the tale. All becomes clear at the end of the novel as it comes to a satisfying conclusion.

The writing is very good and immersed me completely in the time period and setting. I enjoyed how the women in the novel were the strong characters and the males the weak ones. It is a very strong debut and I look forward to more from this author. Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

The story of Peggy and Molly Gainsborough is a tragic one. Their mother's ambitions for them, based on an undocumented aristocratic heritage, and their father's intense focus on his painting create a tension filled home. The two sisters become more and more isolated as Molly's mental illness and Peggy's need to protect and hide her sister's strangeness, become more acute.

The historical setting is well fleshed out, both in Gainsborough's time and in the time of the back story of Meg Gray.

While I read, I enjoyed looking up online pictures of Gainsborough's work, and becoming more familiar with hims and his artistic style.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The painter Thomas Gainsborough's two daughters are the focus of this historical fiction novel. In their early youth, the sisters are rather free to roam the countryside and live an idyllic, unconstrained life. Their father is depicted as loving, but often pre-occupied and their mother as strict, demanding and not particularly demonstrative. But, as with many families, they have their secrets. The elder daughter, Molly, has some increasingly serious issues and the 18th century is not known for being able to effectively manage such challenges. The book was well-written but I just did not find it particularly engaging. I kept waiting for more depth, more character development, more of a story. I was tempted not to finish it but I did persevere. I was disappointed that Thomas Gainsborough and his art weren't more central to the story. I did enjoy the author's portrayal of the social scene in Bath and its incorporated into the book. Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an advanced readers copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Thomas Gainsborough, an English portrait and landscape painter, studied the works of Van Dyck. Thomas painted daughters.Thomas was considered a technical painter. “The Blue Boy” is one of his most famous pieces.
Margaret mother illegitimate daughter of Duke of Beaufort. Unfortunately, Molly suffered from mental illness and Peggy cared for her sister. During the age, mental health was not recognized, and medical help was not offered. Her care was shouldered on the family, mostly Peg.
I enjoyed reading this book, but I did find it difficult to read. I’m not always where I am. The story did not have much of a plot. I’m a character driven reader and I especially liked the girls.
I’m interested in art, so I was curious to read that Thomas was a significant artist in the 18th century
Emily Howers, Simon and Schister, NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this novel.

This captivating novel unfolds against the backdrop of 18th-century England, where renowned portrait painter Thomas Gainsborough's artistic genius is mirrored by the tender bond shared between his daughters, Molly and Peggy. As the narrative delves into the complexities of sisterly devotion, it navigates the challenges of Molly's mysterious affliction and Peggy's unwavering determination to protect her. Howes masterfully intertwines historical intrigue with themes of sisterly love, sacrifice, and resilience, as the reader is taken on a poignant journey through the intricacies of familial bonds and the power of unconditional loyalty. Moreover, the novel also weaves in a narrative involving Thomas’ wife Meg and her secret ancestry, adding mystery to the family saga.
Gainsborough was known to include his daughters in his paintings, so I was intrigued with Howe’s imagining of what life could’ve been like for his daughters. At a young age, Peggy developed strategies to help hide Molly’s strange spells of confusion, the type of behavior that could send her away to an institution. Peggy makes a promise that she would protect her and keep her secret, which followed throughout their adult years, creating a greater challenge when Peggy falls for a friend of her father. This plot created a new dynamic for the sisters, with Peggy having feelings of resentment. I really admired this story of familial loyalty and devotion. The Gainsborough’s endured a lot of drama, but I never felt overwhelmed with too many plot lines going on. One notable aspect is the somewhat limited exploration of Molly’s character, with the narrative predominantly focused on Peggy’s perspective. While this choice allows for a deeper understanding of Peggy’s emotions, it leaves Molly’s character less developed. I loved how the author merged the story of Meg into the main story line, it seemed to unfold effortlessly with a satisfying conclusion. Even though this novel didn’t leave me feeling completely mesmerized, it is well-written and high praise for the research into this famous painter.

Thank you, Simon Books @simonbooks, for this book.

The Painter's Daughters by Emily Howes is a historical fiction that throws a light on the lives of Mary and Margaret Gainsborough, daughters of the famous painter, Thomas Gainsborough. The story also involves an unknown woman, Meg. Who is she, and what part does she play in their lives.

Molly and Peggy have a wonderful life in Ipswich. Roaming around the fields and living out of society's eyes gives them a certain freedom. Being a painter's daughters, though, bring limitations in their lives, and they move to Bath. Living in the wellness town of England is not as straightforward as it seems because the family has to hide a secret that could put one of their family members in danger.

Some day, when I am ready, I want to dissect this story from a trauma perspective. There is so much in this book about the stigma attached to mental illness and the lack of awareness. Molly and Peggy's sisterly bond is beautiful but also painful to read about because Peggy becomes a sort of caretaker for her. The author has done an amazing job of writing a story based on one line that she found in a book. Lovers of historical fiction and readers who love to read about how trauma has affected generations will love this book (definitely me!) This is not a light read, so go into it with that information.

CW: Codependency, Enmeshment, mental illness, infidelity, abandonment, blood, physical abuse.

The Painter's Daughters By Emily Howes is the 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.

Peggy and Molly Gainsborough—the daughters of one of England’s most famous portrait artists of the 1700s and the frequent subject of his work—are best friends. They spy on their father as he paints, rankle their mother as she manages the household, and run barefoot through the muddy fields that surround their home. But there is another reason they are inseparable: from a young age, Molly periodically experiences bouts of mental confusion, even forgetting who she is, and Peggy instinctively knows she must help cover up her sister’s condition.

The Painter's Daughter was a delightful read. It beautifully portrayed the bond between sisters and the devastating effects of betrayal. I enjoyed it to some degree.

If you like Historical fiction set in 1700 in England, pick this one up.

I love to go into books blind, but because this was a book I requested through NetGalley, I read the synopsis prior to requesting it. However, months had passed by the time I finally read this book, and therefore I forgot that it was a historical fiction read. I thought it was a purely fictional book set in the 18th century. I really enjoyed the book when I thought it was just fiction, so imagine my surprise when I got to the author's notes at the end and realized it's historical fiction and it was based on real people! That made the story that much more interesting and intriguing.

I can always tell when I've enjoyed a historical fiction read because I'll instantly want to do further research on the characters once I've finished the book. That's exactly what I did with this one, even though I stayed up past my bedtime just to finish the book.

This story was fascinating to me. Twisted, poignant, and beautiful at times. It's a story about love, protection, and control. A story about deep connection and individuality. A story about loyalty, betrayal, and heartbreak. About doing everything for those you love, even to your own detriment at times. The lengths one will go to in order to protect those closest to them.

The book follows three generations of women, though the bulk of the story focuses on two young sisters, Peggy and Molly. I did initially get confused by the different character names because there is a Meg, a Margaret, a Molly (whose given name is actually Mary), and a Peg/Peggy (whose given name is actually Margaret, but not the Margaret I've already mentioned). So it took me a little bit of time to keep them all straight. But they are each distinct characters and that confusion went away fairly quickly.

I really enjoyed this story and would recommend it to anyone that enjoys historical fiction or family dramas set in a historical time period. Thank you to Simon Books and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

*4.5 Stars On My Instagram Account*

"It's hard telling what you want and what you should want."

It's truly stunning that the picture painting prose of the stirring emotional historical fiction, The Painter's Daughters by phenom author Emily Howes, is her debut novel.

This deeply thoughtful look into the conflicted lives of the daughters of renowned English 1700s portrait painter Thomas Gainsborough (his most famous work is The Blue Boy) is filled with real life family drama, betrayal, mental illness, illicit affairs and a sisterly bond that was often bent but never broken.

Peg, the younger sister feels a responsibility for her big sister Molly, who from a young age, shows signs of mental confusion; often found wandering at night with no memory of leaving her bed. Her father ignores the signs saying, "Things will fix themselves."

Moving from their country home to the city Peg feels her life is now "dismantled" like the furniture. Their father, who once immortalized them in his paintings, no longer asks them to sit for him. In time Molly gets worse and both her and Peg have hidden resentments for their parents, and sadly, each other.

Voice actresses Louise Brealey and Gemma Lawrence are Peg and Molly with their authentic pain, fear, wants and desires. Every few chapters we follow Meg, the daughter of an abusive bar owner, and her pregnancy out of wedlock. Her connection to the sisters is a jaw dropping reveal.

The writer, with poetic empathy, exposes the cruelty of mental illness on the sufferer and their loved ones. Reading and listening to the writing, the creativity and the disturbing twists in the lives of these sisters left me in awe of the author painting a truly bittersweet story of sibling love.

I received a free copy of this book/audiobook from the publishers via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own

It’s obvious that this is a very well-researched book. I enjoyed the author’s writing style, & liked how the two story lines were woven together. The fictional aspects of this story that revolve around the historical characters feel plausible.
My heart broke knowing how much Peg did to love & protect Molly. It’s a lifelong account of the fear, frustrations, & sacrifices made while caring for a beloved sibling who suffers from mental illness.
I feel like Meg’s storyline is also an example of making sacrifices to care for another. Her escape to a better life becomes more about her daughter’s than her own. It never gets easy to read about just how stacked against women the world has been through history.
I thought the final chapters were very touching. The epilogue is a perfect tie-up to merge the stories.
I appreciate it when authors of historical fiction include a few interesting notes @ the end like this. Thanks to the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy via NetGalley.

Imagine being the daughters of the most famous portraitist of his era. Imagine being a subject for you famous father's paintings. Imagine living in a time where not being like everyone else could get you admitted to Bedlam.

Peg and Molly Gainsborough are the daughters of Thomas Gainsborough. Their childhood seems idyllic, their father painting, their mother keeping the household together, as they run and play, with seemingly little to worry them. Peg is younger, but Molly exhibits the tendency to 'lose herself'. Peg knows if she tells about these 'spells' that Molly has, Molly will be taken away. Peg becomes Molly's caretaker, making sure her sister's issues aren't focused on. When they leave their childhood home and relocate with their family to Bath, it becomes more difficult to keep Molly 'sane'.

This historical fiction portrayal of the daughters of Gainsborough follows them through their lives. We know them as I the subjects of his portraiture but little about them as people. This was an interesting book, although sometimes hard to follow. The book began slowly for me and at times had to force myself to continue. There was an alternating storyline that was confusing until I realized what was happening, then the book moved more quickly.

I was happy to learn more about the time period and have to say I'm glad I live now rather than then. Pulling Peg and Molly front and center and leaving Thomas Gainsborough in the background was disappointing, but I can see writing about his talent would overshadow the story of his children. That is probably the point!

I'll give this book 31/2 stars popping it up to 4 since my inability to get into the book is on me.

The Painter’s Daughter by Emily Howes

Artist Thomas Gainsborough has two lovely daughters. He enjoys painting the girls for himself and for others who want to commission him for their portraits. He also enjoys landscapes. It’s 1770s England and mental illness is something to be hidden.

Daughters Mary (Molly) and Margaret (Peggy) are extremely close and play together almost exclusively. Their mother Margaret wants to prepare them for marriage, while father Thomas indulges their playfulness. The entire household carries the secret of Molly’s spells, endeavoring to keep things under wraps, especially by Peggy.

The book has a couple of story lines going, which may confuse the reader, but it all is clarified by the ending. I thoroughly enjoyed this story for the novelty of the way the author presents the intersecting lives of the family. I thank Simon & Schuster for an advanced copy of this title, which I give five stars. All opinions are my own.

4.75/5: I’m no history buff but I will be looking into this Thomas fellow because of this book. This story has my heart breaking for so many reasons. I loved the sister bond so much. As an older sister, I would die for my sisters and I would also give up my life to protect them. Peggy did what any sister would do! The relationship between father and daughter in this book resonated with me so deeply. I will be thinking about this one for a while. A long while.

Thank you Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Setting is in the England in the 1700's. Peg and Molly Gainsborough are sisters and daughters of a famous artist named Thomas. Molly suffers from a mental condition where she forgets where she is at and Peg covers for her terrified that an asylum would be in the cards for Molly.

This is such a good story line, and I loved the interactions between the sisters, especially when love is in the air when Peg meets Johann. The big question is where does that leave Molly?

This is a historical fiction that I would highly recommend as I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Thank you NetGalley for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

With THE PAINTER'S DAUGHTERS, Emily Howes has brought to life the lives of the two daughters of 1700s painter Thomas Gainsborough, captured in the portrait of his beloved Molly and Peggy chasing butterflies, the youngest daughter impetuous and reaching for the beauty and the elder hanging back a little, apprehensive. In spare, lyrical prose, Howes evokes a family fraught with the pressure to be perfect, to conform to rigid standards while the painter husband and father masters his art and changes their lives even as the girls mature and change themselves. While the writing was spare and elegant, Howes' deft hand rendered characters in full-bodied, wholehearted living color, from madness to the struggles to thrive. Once I fell into the rhythm of the story, I imagined the people, felt the sun on my shoulders, the richness of plump berries, the harsh fear in a mother's scolding. A truly lovely experience featuring art and creativity wrought in the middle of real life. I received a copy of this book and these opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts.

This is a wonderful and lush historical novel. It’s obvious how much research Emily Howes has done in order for it to feel as authentic and immersive as it does. There are brilliant little touches and details peppered throughout.

If there’s one author who I am always going to take seriously when I see that they have blurbed a book it’s Hilary Mantel (I mean, who else do you need to endorse your historical novel, really?), so that piqued my interest even before I was pulled in by the novel’s premise.

The Painter’s Daughters follows the two daughters of English portrait and landscape painter Thomas Gainsborough, Peggy and Molly, during their youth in Ipswich. Molly, who suffers from periods of intense mental illness, depends on the generosity and dedication of Peggy to ensure her well-being.

While there’s so much to like about this novel, I do wish there had maybe been a bit more space given to develop these characters. That might sound cruel, as Peggy and Molly are distinct from each other, with lots of fantastic dialogue between the two of them (especially in the first half), but I still wished for a bit more. Maybe had this novel been shorter I wouldn’t have minded quite how invested I felt in the final chapters, but this novel rings in at over 350 pages, which is room enough for a bit more nuance and depth, surely.

Overall though, this is a lovely book. I can’t imagine anyone who enjoys historical fiction not enjoying this.

The Painter's Daughters are Peg and Molly and the painter is Thomas Gainsborough. In the beginning they are being raised in the country and are kind of wild children. Eventually they move to Bath hoping that the girls will become more refined and lady like. There is something different about Molly and the story focuses on Peg taking care of and protecting her older sister. There was a back story of a bar maid that gets pregnant by Frederick, the future king of England. What was confusing was she was Margaret but called Meg, her daughter was also Margaret, Peg was Margaret and Molly was Mary. The two stories tie together in the end but I did not feel that any of the characters were developed. I didn't feel a sense of place other than a lot of mud and it was very slow and I felt the writing was choppy.

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for providing me with a digital copy.

This is the story of Peggy and Molly Gainsborough—the daughters of one of England’s most famous portrait artists of the 1700s and the frequent subject of his work. They are best friends who run wild outdoors, spy on their father as he paints, and even more importantly, Peggy takes care of her sister. Molly periodically experiences bouts of mental confusion, even forgetting who she is, and Peggy instinctively knows she must help cover up her sister’s condition. When the family moves to Bath, it’s not so easy to hide Molly’s slip-ups. There, the sisters are thrown into the whirlwind of polite society, where the codes of behavior are crystal clear. Molly dreams of a normal life but slides deeper and more publicly into her delusions. By now, Peggy knows the shadow of an asylum looms for women like Molly, and she goes to greater lengths to protect her sister’s secret. But when Peggy unexpectedly falls in love with her father’s friend, the charming composer Johann Fischer, the sisters’ precarious situation is thrown catastrophically off course. Her burgeoning love for Johann sparks the bitterest of betrayals, forcing Peggy to question all she has done for Molly, and whether any one person can truly change the fate of another.

I confess I know very little about art and the artists themselves, although I do love to read about them. I had never heard of Thomas Gainsborough before, so I was unfamiliar with his story, or that of his daughters. I thought the premise sounded interesting, so I dove in. Unfortunately, I was disappointed to find that this book just wasn't for me. It was told in the alternating viewpoints of Meg (a tavern owner's daughter) and Peggy. There was no reference anywhere as to why there was a second storyline with Meg, and it wasn't until the very end that it tied the two storylines together. As it was, it felt almost like I was reading two separate books, and it was hard to stay engaged in the storylines for that reason.

"Some are born mad, some achieve madness, and some have madness thrust upon 'em." (Emilie Autumn)

You'll never look upon Thomas Gainsborough's The Blue Boy or his bountiful portraits of the aristocratic again without seeing something far more intricate and far more profound. Gainsborough painted quite a few works of his own daughters as well. We see them as sisters arm in arm chasing butterflies and, even moreso, chasing their own sense of identity.

Thomas Gainsborough did not enjoy instant success. It was a long time in coming. He and his family resided in the countryside in Ipswich. His wife, Margaret, tended the books, but she was a tightly wound individual who could easily fly off at the smallest thing. She grew frustrated at not being able to control her daughters, Molly and Peg, who constantly took to the fields as two unruly and curious sisters.

Margaret begged Thomas to move to the city of Bath where the girls would have more opportunities to be presented to society. We have hints that Margaret, herself, comes from more regal beginnings. Thomas agrees as the move may advance his career opportunities. And it does. However, the girls still possess flighty dispositions which put a heavy strain on Margaret. We'll experience the difference in their parenting styles. That leads us to a heavier kettle of fish.

Peg and Molly are only a year apart in age. Peg, though younger, displays far more maturity and control. And as the story unfolds, we'll soon notice that Molly's episodes are not solely due to immaturity. There is something far darker and deeper happening within Molly. Both parents are in denial. And with that, Peg steps up as her sister's care giver. No amount of hand squeezing or locking doors will ever contain Molly. Love cannot draw a curtain over these happenings.

Emily Howes presents a well written and well researched glimpse into the Gainsborough family and the story behind the butterfly portrait of these pale, fragile young girls. Howes brings emotion into sharp-ended words. Her descriptions are spot-on in regard to this hidden situation. Peg remarks early on in regard to her sister Molly: "She is not in her face." The observation of one still a child and hardly in possession of the ability to express her own bewilderment.

Howes parallels a story thread of Meg, a young twenty year old woman, working in her father's inn and tavern. Meg is brutally mistreated by her slovenly father. She only wishes to escape to a better life even if it takes her on a long journey to London without a means of supporting herself. As readers, we're more than curious as to how Meg's story finds its way into that of the Gainsborough family. It does and it eventually bends events at the fork in the road.

The Painter's Daughters is a must read for art lovers and also for those who just enjoy a richly written journey into hidden stories of the past. The face that gazes from the canvas certainly has so much more to tell.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Simon & Schuster and to the talented Emily Howes for the opportunity.

"The Painter's Daughters" by Emily Howes is set in 1700s England, focusing on sisters Peggy and Molly Gainsborough, daughters of the renowned portrait artist Thomas Gainsborough. The story explores their close bond and individual journeys, especially when a man threatens to come between them. Howes skillfully weaves themes of sisterhood, love, and personal growth into the narrative.

One of the highlights of "The Painter's Daughters" is its exploration of the complexities of sisterhood, as Peggy and Molly navigate their close relationship while also striving to discover their own identities. I enjoyed the unique perspective on family dynamics and the historical context of the famous painter's family. The novel is engaging and well-written, and offers a compelling perspective on family dynamics and the bonds that hold us together (and also, at times, can drive us apart). I would highly recommend it to fans of historical fiction and stories of family and sisterhood.