The Painter's Daughters by Emily Howes

 The Painter’s Daughters brings the story behind so many paintings of Thomas Gainsborough, renowned 18th century English painter.

The story explores the close bond between two sisters, Peggy and Molly Gainsborough. Molly is older, but Peggy knows she needs to protect her sister, who occasionally experiences mental confusion. They both enjoy roaming barefoot through the fields surrounding their home in Ipswich, but the mother stops it. She feels that the daughters need to be raised as proper ladies. Thus, the family moves to Bath, where Molly’s bouts progress and Peggy continues to cover it up as much as she can. When a man by the name Johann Fischer enters the scene, the sisters’ bond gets under fractured.

This story has a feel of a build up until the end, and the mystery aspect continues to linger to the very last pages. The story is told through the eyes of sisters and a young woman named Meg Grey. It is not clear what her connection is to the family, but Peggy questions the mystery behind her mother’s family. Those who are into mystery may have stronger connection to this lingering aspect.

It is a fascinating story of two sisters who are subject of their father’s many paintings. It always makes the experience much richer to be able to look at a painting and know a story behind it.

I enjoyed Peggy’s sharp tongue and honest observations without holding anything back. 

This richly imagined story is written with outstanding prose which is the strong part of this story.

Release: February 27, 2024

Source: Simon & Schuster