The Painted Girls

Inspired by real-life model and ballet dancer of the era, Marie van Goethem, and nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award, Cathy Marie Buchanan’s historical novel The Painted Girls (2013), centers on two sisters who must make new lives for themselves after their father’s unexpected death leaves them penniless. Critics praise the book for its portrayal of sisterly affection and its effective capture of 19th-century France. A New York Times bestselling author, Buchanan graduated from Western University with a degree in biochemistry.

The Painted Girls takes place in Paris in 1878. The protagonists, Antoinette and her younger sister, Marie van Goethem, have a younger sister, Charlotte, but she doesn’t narrate the novel. The three sisters live with their parents in central Paris. Mrs. van Goethem, who works as a laundress, has a drinking problem, wasting all her wages on absinthe. The girls know nothing but poverty, hunger, and despair.

While Antoinette is hot-headed, temperamental, and quick to react, Marie is temperate and smart. She thinks things through before she acts. The two sisters balance each other out and they have a close sisterly bond. They protect Charlotte from their mother’s wrath, shielding her from the realities of poverty.



The book begins with the death of Mr. van Goethem. Together, Antoinette and Marie must figure out how to survive. They can’t rely on their mother who, drinking more than ever, refuses to pay the rent. If Marie and Antoinette can’t find work soon to pay the rent debt, they’ll lose their home.

Marie and Charlotte audition for the Paris Opera Ballet. They’re both accepted as petit rats, or the lowest level of ballet dancers. The role barely pays but it is better than nothing. Antoinette can’t audition because the ballet kicked her out months ago. For the first time, she feels like a burden to the family. Finally, she secures a role in a local play, but it won’t last long.

Marie decides that she needs a second job to supplement her income. She finds a job at the local bakery, but the hours are long. Always exhausted and hungry, she is falling behind the other girls. Unless a rich or noble patron takes an interest in her, she will lose her place in the ballet.



Meanwhile, Antoinette meets Emile Abadie, a low-level criminal, but handsome and charming. He makes good money on the street, and he takes Antoinette under his wing once the play stops. Marie warns Antoinette that Emile runs with hardened criminals and the relationship will end badly. Antoinette ignores Marie. No one has ever loved her as Emile does and she won’t give him up.

Marie, in the meantime, finally finds a patron, the artist Degas who loves painting young ballerinas. When he asks to paint Marie, she jumps at the chance, but his attention makes the other girls jealous. They claim that Degas only paints her because she looks young and that he’ll soon lose interest in her. Marie doesn’t believe them.

One day, Degas introduces Marie to Lefebvre. Lefebvre fancies Marie and they begin an inappropriate relationship. Marie hides the relationship from Charlotte because she doesn’t want Charlotte judging her, but Charlotte finds out anyway. Charlotte only cares about how the relationship reflects on her and her own reputation in the ballet.



Meanwhile, Antoinette now relies on Emile for everything. He promises her that, if she sticks with him, she will end up richer than she ever thought possible. Antoinette is so desperate for money and love that she does whatever Emile says. It’s only a matter of time before he introduces her to a brothel madam, and she is forced into prostitution. She is too ashamed to go home.

In the meantime, Charlotte grows into a talented ballerina. Though she is old enough for a second job now, she doesn’t want one. She plans to spend all her time at the opera house, even if it means she doesn’t make any money right now. Marie is disappointed in Charlotte, but she can’t blame her for chasing after her dreams.

One day, the police come for Emile, arresting him on murder charges. Antoinette defends him, swearing that he is innocent, and the police arrest her for conspiracy and interfering with justice. Locked in a jail cell, Antoinette realizes that Emile isn’t the man she thought he was.



Moving up the ballet ranks, Charlotte is attracting fame across Paris. The police release Antoinette and she reconciles with Marie. Marie loses her place in the ballet, and she leaves Lefebvre. Degas stops painting her because she is too old, and he has an unhealthy interest in young girls. The bakery invites her to work full-time.