Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Painted Girls
Painted Girls | Cathy Marie Buchanan
A heartrending, gripping novel about two sisters in Belle Epoque Paris and the young woman forever immortalized as muse for Edgar Degas "Little Dancer Aged Fourteen." 1878 Paris. Following their father s sudden death, the van Goethem sisters find their lives upended. Without his wages, and with the small amount their laundress mother earns disappearing into the absinthe bottle, eviction from their lodgings seems imminent. With few options for work, Marie is dispatched to the Paris Opera, where for a scant seventeen francs a week, she will be trained to enter the famous ballet. Her older sister, Antoinette, finds work as an extra in a stage adaptation of Emile Zola s naturalist masterpiece "L Assommoir." Marie throws herself into dance and is soon modeling in the studio of Edgar Degas, where her image will forever be immortalized as "Little Dancer Aged Fourteen." There she meets a wealthy male patron of the ballet, but might the assistance he offers come with strings attached? Meanwhile Antoinette, derailed by her love for the dangerous Emile Abadie, must choose between honest labor and the more profitable avenues open to a young woman of the Parisian demimonde. Set at a moment of profound artistic, cultural, and societal change, "The Painted Girls" is a tale of two remarkable sisters rendered uniquely vulnerable to the darker impulses of civilized society. In the end, each will come to realize that her salvation, if not survival, lies with the other."
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
blurb
fredamans
The Painted Girls | Cathy Marie Buchanan
post image
Eggs Gorgeous 🩷 8mo
35 likes1 comment
review
Auntynanny
Painted Girls | Cathy Marie Buchanan
post image
Pickpick

I really enjoyed this! I love Degas and I love historical fiction. This was right up my alley.

quote
Mommamanzi
The Painted Girls | Cathy Marie Buchanan
post image

My September tbr (that we all know isn‘t going to get read THIS month) I love cozy mysteries, YA, historical fiction, and fantasy so this is the perfect line up for me!

review
PaperbackPirate
The Painted Girls | Cathy Marie Buchanan
post image
Pickpick

This was an excellent historical fiction novel about the girl who posed for Little Dancer Aged Fourteen by Edgar Degas. It follows her and her sister from each of their POVs as they struggle to survive and shine in the Paris Opera Ballet. I loved this coming-of-age story.
👯👯👯👯👯
Today is Dance for #JulyJourneys - I borrowed this picture from the National Gallery of Art.
@Eggs
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
#dance

Eggs Perfection - must read!! 3y
PaperbackPirate I definitely recommend it @Eggs ! 3y
41 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
KristiAhlers
The Painted Girls | Cathy Marie Buchanan
post image
Pickpick

I truly enjoyed this book. Yes, at times it was a little depressing but it was still a bet interesting read with very lifelike characters.

review
j.rye
The Painted Girls | Cathy Marie Buchanan
post image
Mehso-so

I know there‘s only so much freedom an author can take when it comes to historical fiction based on actual events... but this didn‘t do it for me. The ending was too smooshed together and felt rushed. So much meh. I liked the writing style at the very least.

blurb
Ladygodiva7
The Painted Girls | Cathy Marie Buchanan
post image

My lap warmer 💛

13 likes1 comment
review
rebbyj
The Painted Girls | Cathy Marie Buchanan
Mehso-so

meh.

review
KarynGood
The Painted Girls | Cathy Marie Buchanan
post image
Pickpick

I really enjoyed this book! In order to survive the harsh slums of Paris in the late 19th century, sisters Antoinette and Marie face harsh choices. It broke my heart at times. But it was also hopeful and I think a look at what women can overcome when we support each other. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️s #bookclubapril2019

Pricel101 I love books like this! Stacked!📚 5y
KarynGood @Pricel101 Can‘t wait to read what you think of it! 5y
31 likes5 stack adds2 comments
blurb
KarynGood
The Painted Girls | Cathy Marie Buchanan
post image

The book is kind of breaking my heart! But it‘s so good. I‘m about halfway done and need to finish up for book club on Friday. Can‘t wait to talk about this book! #bookclubread #canadianauthour

27 likes2 stack adds
blurb
KarynGood
The Painted Girls | Cathy Marie Buchanan
post image

Ready to go! I just need stamps. #poutinepenpals 🇨🇦

24 likes1 comment
blurb
KarynGood
The Painted Girls | Cathy Marie Buchanan
post image

The Painted Girls is our April book club pick. I can‘t wait to read it! #bookclubread #aprilread2019 #canadianauthor #readthenorth

blurb
Cinfhen
Painted Girls | Cathy Marie Buchanan
post image

#TimbitTunes Two from my #TBR shelf. Both feature dancers although the settings couldn‘t be further apart. 1878 Paris & 1982 London. One a ballerina the other a swing dancer. #DanceMeToTheEndOfLove

Tanisha_A I loved The Painted Girls! 5y
TrishB Great picks 👍🏻 5y
Cinfhen Good to know @Tanisha_A I really should read it already!!! #SoManyBooksSoLittleTime 5y
See All 10 Comments
Librarybelle I enjoyed this one too. My historical fiction book group Skyped with the author when we read the book - she‘s fascinating and a warm and lovely person! 5y
BarbaraTheBibliophage I keep trying to start The Painted Girls and not getting very far. It‘s been on my unfinished Kindle shelf longer than just about any other book. 😰 5y
Melissa_J I was thinking of using the The Painted Girls as my pick! Buchanan is a Canadian author 😊 5y
Rachel_nyc I loved The Painted Girls and feel as though it‘s not talked about enough! 5y
Cinfhen Im so happy to see the mostly positive reviews @Rachel_nyc @Librarybelle How awesome that you got to Skype with the author!!! Maybe you need to give it another try @BarbaraTheBibliophage & hope you‘re starting to feel better 5y
Cinfhen I did not know the author was Canadian @Melissa_J im super impressed that you were able to find a Canadian author for every day 🥳🙌🏻❤️🇨🇦 5y
TheKidUpstairs Haven't read Painted Girls, although it's on my shelf. I loved Swing Time, but I know it's not for everyone! 5y
117 likes6 stack adds10 comments
blurb
Librarybelle
The Painted Girls | Cathy Marie Buchanan
post image

For the young ballerinas depicted in Degas‘ works, real life is anything but colorful and happy. This historical fiction looks at Marie van Goethem, who modeled for Degas. I felt much #sympathy for her and her sisters, as they struggled to get out of poverty. #NoFemmeber

By the way, the author is amazing! She Skyped with my historical fiction group, a truly wonderful experience.

Thanks @Cinfhen and @Billypar for a fun month!

Billypar Love Degas- the model of a famous artist is a neat idea for a protagonist. It's really cool that she Skyped with your group- what a great opportunity! Thanks for playing this month! ☺️ 5y
63 likes4 stack adds1 comment
review
LibraryCin
The Painted Girls | Cathy Marie Buchanan
post image
Mehso-so

The story follows the viewpoints of Marie and Antoinette and alternates between them. I listened to the audio, and though there were two different narrators for each girl, I still found it difficult to follow who was speaking if I missed the intro to the chapter (which did say). Cont in comments...

LibraryCin I appreciated the author‘s note at the end that tells us that the sisters were real and Marie was one of the ballet dancers who posed for Degas. Emile was also real, as was his story, though in reality, he and Antoinette were not involved. I do think both stories are interesting, but I just wonder if I might have liked it better if I wasn‘t listening to the audio. I‘m still rating it “good”. 5y
11 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
Cinfhen
Painted Girls | Cathy Marie Buchanan
post image

#AbbainAugust My old Philly bookclub , (which I still belong too 😊) is reading this book for September. It sounds really interesting. Haven‘t seen to much #LitsyLove ?!?! #VoulezVous A story of the Van Goethem sisters who were the inspiration for Degas Little Dancer.

Cathythoughts I think this looks good ... stacked 6y
Cinfhen It does!!! Right?!!? @Cathythoughts Now I need to go find it!!! #StoryOfMyLife #ChasingBooks😉😂😂😂 6y
Tanisha_A I loved this! 6y
See All 22 Comments
Cinfhen Oh YAY!!! Glad to see a positive review @Tanisha_A 😍 6y
LeahBergen It‘s waiting on my shelf. 😬 6y
TrishB It‘s waiting on mine too! 6y
TrishB @Cathythoughts currently 99p on kindle! 6y
Cathythoughts @TrishB OMG thankyou ❤️ 6y
erzascarletbookgasm Lol, waiting for me too! 6y
Cinfhen Ooohhh, need to check the US kindle price @TrishB then maybe we can all buddy read @LeahBergen @erzascarletbookgasm @Cathythoughts 6y
TrishB Shout when ready! 6y
Cinfhen Darn!!! The book is $9.99 on US Kindle @TrishB 🤬🤬but I‘ll be watching for deals 6y
Librarybelle This is a good one! And the author was fantastic...she Skyped with my book club when we read it! 6y
tdrosebud I've had this on my TBR for a while, maybe I need to bump it up. 6y
Mdargusch I can‘t wait to hear how you like this! I was an art history major so I think I need to read this one! 6y
emilyhaldi Do you FaceTime in for your philly book club?! 6y
Cinfhen Usually not @emilyhaldi the time difference is annoying but they share questions with me and we have a WhatsApp group 😊💟 6y
emilyhaldi Fair enough!! WhatsApp is great too. Technology, eh?!!!🙌🏻 6y
Reviewsbylola I‘ve always been curious about this one but something about it has kept me away. 6y
MeganAnn I really enjoyed this one when I read it a few years ago. ❤️ 6y
LeahBergen Sounds good! I‘ll be watching to see when you start it. 😘 6y
Meredith3 🎨 💃🏻 6y
124 likes2 stack adds22 comments
review
Jillianne
The Painted Girls | Cathy Marie Buchanan
post image
Pickpick

Nothing like what I assumed it would be. Much darker but a pretty entertaining read. I‘m a sucker for historical fiction with rotating POVs. Frustrating at times, but the delicious descriptions make up for it.
Not recommended for those triggered by sexual assault.

RaimeyGallant Nice review! And welcome to Litsy! #LitsyWelcomeWagon Some of us put together Litsy tips to help new Littens navigate the site. It's the link in my bio on my page in case you need it. Or if you prefer how-to videos, @chelleo put some together at the link in her bio. @LitsyWelcomeWagon 6y
RaimeyGallant The synopsis sounds so interesting. 6y
Eggs Welcome to Litsy 👋🏻🌸 6y
See All 10 Comments
Chelleo Hi and welcome!🤗 6y
Leftcoastzen Welcome to Litsy! 6y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Welcome to Litsy!! 6y
CarolynM Welcome to Litsy🌼 6y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Welcome to Litsy 👍📚 6y
Wife Welcome to Litsy!🌹 6y
Bronte_Chintz Welcome to Litsy! Hope you love it here! 6y
13 likes10 comments
blurb
JoyfulChaos
The Painted Girls | Cathy Marie Buchanan
post image

@elizabethlk bought me a new book. Time to enjoy some quiet time, before I head out to make some noise! :)

elizabethlk Hope you enjoy it! 6y
2 likes1 comment
review
Tanisha_A
The Painted Girls | Cathy Marie Buchanan
post image
Pickpick

A historical work well laced with imagination – Dead father. Drunk mother. No money for food and lodgings. Sisters trying to survive in the late 19th century Paris. Paris Opera. Ballet. Theatre. Edgar Degas's "Little Dancer Aged Fourteen". A strong account of lost ambitions, adverse circumstances, and sisterly love.

Cinfhen Nice review!!💜 6y
Tanisha_A @Cinfhen Thankee! 😃 6y
vlwelser I loved this one too. 6y
Tanisha_A @vlwelser 🙌 I had no knowledge about the Opera times of the 19th century Paris, gave so much insight into it. A very different read. 6y
48 likes3 stack adds4 comments
blurb
oh.opheliaaa
The Painted Girls | Cathy Marie Buchanan
post image

ignoring a term paper in favor of transporting myself back to paris

Wife Welcome to Litsy!🌹 6y
oh.opheliaaa thank you!! 6y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Welcome to Litsy 👋😊 6y
See All 11 Comments
asiriusreader Welcome to Litsy! 6y
oh.opheliaaa @Wife thank you!! 6y
rather_be_reading haha sounds good! 6y
RadicalReader @oh.opheliaaa I can completely understand when one can travel simply by picking up a book I say do it!! 6y
oh.opheliaaa @RadicalReader lol screw term papers, i‘m time traveling!! 6y
11 likes1 stack add11 comments
blurb
Mommamanzi
The Painted Girls | Cathy Marie Buchanan
post image

I am so blown away from your generosity @erinreads I adore everything! The candle smells AMAZING, I love my socks, the coffee mug is perfect, the pin is SUPER cute,the puzzle is so beautiful, Yorkshire tea is one of my fav., and omg the booooooks ❤️❤️❤️❤️. Thank you so much!!!

Melissa_J Nice!!! 🎉🎁 6y
silentrequiem Very nice! Those are great book picks. 6y
britt_brooke So nice!! 💚 And I want that mug! I‘ve almost ordered it like 5 times. I don‘t know why I don‘t just get it already. 🤪 6y
See All 11 Comments
erinreads I‘m glad you like everything! 🤗 Yorkshire tea is my absolute favorite so I was happy to find the little sample packs at World Market to share the love! And @britt_brooke I keep going to buy that mug for myself and then end up buying them specifically for swaps. One day one will be mine! 😂 6y
MrBook Oooh! 😁👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 6y
JulAnna 💕 the socks 😊 6y
Gissy Amazing books! 📚😍 6y
[DELETED] 3803335244 Oh those socks! 6y
Avanders 💖💖💖 (edited) 6y
Mommamanzi @erinreads I love world market! They just built a beautiful new one by my salon. I‘m so in trouble! Thank you thank you!!! I could not have put such an amazing box together for myself. I‘m love with everything. My mom was trying to sneak the puzzle out with her to take home haha. 6y
116 likes11 comments
blurb
TheKidUpstairs
The Painted Girls | Cathy Marie Buchanan
post image
Melissa_J I‘ve had that one on my TBR forever! 6y
Melissa_J PS - I still haven‘t mailed out your birthday package 😥 I promise I will do it this week. 6y
75 likes4 stack adds2 comments
blurb
Lidia
The Painted Girls | Cathy Marie Buchanan
post image

I loved everything! I've been wanting The Painted Girls for a long time an hadn't gotten it yet and the other 2 books were also historical fiction stories that I thought were so interesting. Plus they're all blue cover books! (Blue is my favorite color). And I can tell you really stalked me because you knew I loved coffee and chocolate ☺️, it looks yummy. Plus the bookmarks are so cute. Thank you Jessica it was lovely ❤️ #Halloweengoespostal

LeahBergen Is that a cross-stitched bookmark? I love it!! ❤️ 6y
Cinfhen 💜🎉 6y
bookwrm526 I‘m so glad you like it :) I didn‘t know that about blue being your favorite color, but I‘m glad it worked out that way lol (edited) 6y
bookwrm526 @LeahBergen it is! It‘s a pattern I got on Etsy, there were twelve or sixteen little costumed owls to choose from so I did Dracula, the witch, and the mummy! (edited) 6y
53 likes4 comments
blurb
TheKidUpstairs
The Painted Girls | Cathy Marie Buchanan
post image

1. Me and my big brother with Santa. I think I'm plotting my escape...
2. My littlest dude's 2nd birthday, followed by two days of Thanksgiving goodness!
3. Juliet's Nurse and The Painted Girls at the grocery store yesterday (I went for butter...oops)
4. What kind of concert only costs 45 cents? A 50 cent concert featuring Nickleback.
5. Too much 😉

Cinfhen That's really #Punny 😂😂😂🎶 7y
53 likes2 comments
blurb
GinEyre22
The Painted Girls | Cathy Marie Buchanan
post image

#readingwomenmonth Day 19: Canadian Authors
@thereadingwomen

Sydsavvy Been meaning to read this too! 7y
21 likes2 stack adds1 comment
blurb
Sharpeipup
Painted Girls | Cathy Marie Buchanan
post image

Very excited to start this #historicalfiction based on the art of Degas.

14 likes1 stack add
review
Librarybelle
The Painted Girls | Cathy Marie Buchanan
post image
Pickpick

Buchanan does an amazing job bringing to life the story of Antoinette and Marie van Goethem, ballerinas in 19th century Paris. What an eye opener to conditions and mistreatment of the young ballerinas, including the role of the abonnes. I loved the writing style and the shifting viewpoints between Antoinette and Marie. #Vladimir and #Zeke are quite content at the moment. #catsoflitsy

16 likes1 stack add
blurb
Librarybelle
The Painted Girls | Cathy Marie Buchanan
post image

My goal is to finish this book this morning. #Zeke is keeping me nice and warm (he's half burrowed under the blanket too). #catsoflitsy

Sace Mmm. Looks cozy. 😊 7y
17 likes1 comment
blurb
Librarybelle
The Painted Girls | Cathy Marie Buchanan
post image

One of like a million books I'm currently reading. So good and interesting...ballerinas in 19th century France and Edgar Degas, based on the real-life model for his Little Dancer Aged Fourteen. Roughly one hundred pages left for me to read. #Vladimir is not too sure what to think about this. #catsoflitsy

Sace This is awesome! I've been reading The Art Forger and I *knew* that years ago I had run across another book with a Degas theme. I couldn't remember the name of it though. THIS IS THE BOOK! Thank you! 7y
Sace PS Vladimir 😍 7y
Librarybelle @Sace You're welcome! I've read The Art Forger too...so good! 7y
Sace I'm over the moon! My library has this one! Seriously, it's been driving me crazy all week and then I saw this 7y
Librarybelle @Sace Glad to help!! 7y
17 likes3 stack adds5 comments
blurb
MrBook
The Painted Girls | Cathy Marie Buchanan
post image

#TBRtemptation post! Historical fiction set in 1878 Belle Époque Paris. Inspired the model of Degas's "Little Dancer Aged Fourteen". The teenage van Goethem sisters are on the brink of no money. Marie goes for ballet training at the Opéra, Antoinette becomes a stage extra in a Zola play. Marie eventually models for Degas, immortalized forever. Antoinette sinks deeper into despair thinking of a life working streets. #blameLitsy #blameMrBook ?

writerlibrarian In the same period, Elizabeth Ross' Belle Epoque is quite good too. 7y
MamaGina I've read this one, it's Good 👍🏼 7y
LeahBergen Own it! 😀 7y
See All 9 Comments
Bibliogeekery I love this book! Did you read it? 7y
sofiaga This sounds amazing. Have you read I will always love you ? It's about Degas and Mary Cassat 7y
KarouBlue My To Read list is crying under the weight of all these goods books to choose from. 😭 7y
DrexEdit I've read this one. I would also recommend. Good story! 7y
Lidia I have it on my TBR 😊. I just love the ballerina sculpture ❤️ 7y
LitsyGoesPostal 😊👍🏻 7y
89 likes16 stack adds9 comments
blurb
Suzze
The Painted Girls | Cathy Marie Buchanan
post image

A few of my lesser know girl(s) books that I loved. I highly recommend all three. I was surprised to find 57 "girl" books on my Goodreads lists. #readjanuary #girlinthetitle

LeahBergen I have The Painted Girls on my shelf. 7y
DebinHawaii Wow 57?! I should go count mine! 📚👍 7y
Suzze @LeahBergen Have you read her The Day the Falls Stood Still? I loved that one dearly. 7y
See All 7 Comments
LeahBergen @Suzze No, I haven't! I will definitely check it out. Thanks! 7y
BkClubCare Uh oh. I was amazed at the 57 so thot I best check mine: 55! 7y
Suzze @BkClubCare close! 😜😜👯‍♂️👯‍♂️ 7y
89 likes4 stack adds7 comments
blurb
Krysta
The Painted Girls | Cathy Marie Buchanan
post image

In addition to The Painted Girls, which I just read last week, I thought of these #girlinthetitle books. I have read some, but the rest are in my #tbr pile.#readjanuary @RealLifeReading

review
Krysta
The Painted Girls | Cathy Marie Buchanan
post image
Mehso-so

Okay. I liked this book, but didn't love it. Not sure why.
In places it held my attention, but in others, I just kind of felt, "meh". Hmm.
I did enjoy it more as it went on, but at the end of the day, it was just fine for me.
I did find the research about Degas' artwork interesting, that I only did because of reading this book. So there is that for sure. The setting is rich, but I wasn't moved by the characters or plot so much.

blurb
RegularlyReads
The Painted Girls | Cathy Marie Buchanan
post image

This book was one of my first marketing projects as an intern at HarperCollins and Cathy Marie Buchanan was one of the first authors I ever had the chance to have a long chat with. So it holds a very special place in my heart.

blurb
jessberk13
The Painted Girls | Cathy Marie Buchanan
post image

Audible is having another featured narrator sale today! A nice selection of stories read by Cassandra Campbell are only $4.95 today. Go check it out!!

MrBook Another "girls" book, @BookBabe 8y
Sue I picked up a couple of goodies :) 8y
Suzze Don't do audio books (mind wanders too much), but I love Cathy Buchanan. Her The Day the Falls Stood Still is a treasure! 8y
See All 6 Comments
BarbaraTheBibliophage Thanks - got myself a goodie! 8y
Alena I enjoyed the print version of this book very much. 8y
mcctrish I really enjoyed the print version of this book too @Alena 8y
59 likes6 stack adds6 comments
blurb
MamaGina
Painted Girls | Cathy Marie Buchanan
post image

In another life I was an art museum docent and love fictional takes on artists and the art world. This one is magical, centered on the lives of two sisters, one who becomes the muse and inspiration for Little Dancer Age Fourteen by Degas. #recommendsday

7 likes2 stack adds
blurb
estreet89
The Painted Girls | Cathy Marie Buchanan
post image

Settled in for the night...

1 stack add
quote
CherylC
Painted Girls | Cathy Marie Buchanan
post image

"Monsieur Zola's tale is not about getting a wash house or a chance upon the stage. It is about being born downtrodden and staying that way."

5 likes1 stack add
blurb
Loreen
The Painted Girls | Cathy Marie Buchanan

I'm almost finished with this book. #readmyowndamnbooks challenge continues.

candc320 Loved this book! 8y
5 likes2 stack adds1 comment
blurb
Meg11726
The Painted Girls | Cathy Marie Buchanan
post image

A quick easy read but wonderful

8 likes5 stack adds