The Painter’s Daughters set in London – Emily Howes

Submitted: 26th January 2024

The Painter’s Daughters

Ever wish you could step into a painting?

Well this book makes some of that possible, as it’s the story of famous landscape painter Thomas Gainsborough, a famous painter in the 1700s and his daughters Peggy and Molly.

I love a good novel that takes you deep inside the live and landscape of someone who really existed.

Tingling emotions heightened!

BookTrail the locations in The Painters Daughters

The Painter's Daughters set in London - Emily Howes

Boarding Pass Information

Destination : Ipswich and Bath

Author guide: Emily Howes

Genre: historical , inspired by real life

Food and drink to accompany: nothing as you can’t move when being painted

#Bookreview

@thebooktrailer

A novel to transport you to Ipswich and Bath

BookTrail the locations in The Painters Daughters

This is a really clever novel that straddles three worlds – the fictional, the real and the art world.

The locations are Bath and Ipswich but really the landscape under the microscope is that of society in 1750 and the art world.

Peggy and Molly could not be more different. Peggy is outgoing and healthy, Molly is deemed to be mentally ill and there is talk of Bedlam. How cruel we used to treat people back then. They both live under the shadow of their father who is a well-renowned painter. (If you ever get the chance to see any of his paintings, then please do so!) He is also somewhat of a philanderer and that causes all sorts of problems. Peg (or Peggy) keeps her sister protected but when Peg is ‘ distracted’ by a new love affair, everything changes.

It’s a Downton Abbey/ Jane Austen paced novel so one to savour and indulge yourself in. The characters – Peggy and Molly in particular – just show how society was at the time and how women were treated. Anyone who was deemed as being ‘different’ was cast aside. You would think having a famous father would have helped, but that just brings more problems.

The bond between the two sisters is magical and delicate. I felt I got to know both sisters very well and understand their struggles even though we are decades apart.

Thomas Gainsborough, his paintings, his daughters and 1700s England are all wonderfully woven together here. Go into this without knowing anything about Gainsborough as it’s inspired by true fact. Admire a painting though – Blue Boy is recommended. Buy a replica of your favourite.

Then hang this book and its wonderful cover on your wall beside it. Two pieces of grand art together.