Cover Image: The Painter's Girl

The Painter's Girl

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

I loved how I was transported to France. The level of description of places, flavors and feels was outstanding. Lily was such an amazing character and I loved her story. Narration was on point!

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

This was an enjoyable read! The determination of the main character, Mimi, to improve her life and become a family again with her daughter was beautiful, and the writing was very well done. The narrator was great as well.

Was this review helpful?

Helen Fripp has presented a wonderful bit of history with very believable people that presents a life of many experiences. Not only does the Painter's girl take on a life of it's own but the narration adds to the experience. Thank you NetGalley for this travel in time!

Was this review helpful?

✨Audiobook Review✨

The Painter’s Girl
Helen Fripp
June 30, 2022

🎨 Synopsis:
Paris, 1860s. For Mimi Bisset, survival is everything on the cobbled streets of the Paris slums. She tries to forget the pain of losing her daughter Colette: born out of wedlock and forcibly given away to a rich family. But Mimi’s world turns upside down after a chance encounter with handsome artist Édouard Manet. Boldly posing for portraits on Manet’s chaise longue, Mimi feels a wild freedom – and as Manet teaches her how to layer the vivid paints on canvas herself, a passion grows between them that breaks all the rules… At Manet’s side, Mimi is caught up in his world. They dance all night at Paris’s new can-can clubs and drink absinthe at masked balls. But one day, strolling by the Seine on her lover’s arm, Mimi catches a glimpse of familiar green eyes… it’s Colette, with a family who Manet knew all along. Although she’s reeling that the man she loved kept such a secret from her, Mimi is filled with hope she’ll finally get her daughter back. But when a terrible rumour begins to circulate about Mimi, the only place she has to go is back to the slums. Destitute, hungry and alone, can Mimi clear her name? Or will her heart shatter all over again when she loses her daughter for a second, final time?

💭 Thoughts:
I want to start out by saying the narration was fantastic. I would highly recommend the audiobook version!

This was my first historical fiction read in a long time. I struggled at first to get into it, but soon couldn’t put it down. I loved the references to Paris and the wonderful descriptive language. I really left like I was there watching the Parisian traveling circus. I loved the relationship Mimi had with Rafi and his constant support of her throughout the book. Mimi’s dedication to her daughter and their future was really inspiring. It all came together so well at the end. I couldn’t stop smiling!

Read if you like:
❤️ Strong female protagonist
❤️ Childhood friends to lovers
❤️ Circus references
❤️ impressionist Art
❤️ Historical Paris

Was this review helpful?

Thank you Net Galley for an audio ARC of The Painter's Girl. This book was centered around the Impressionistic Era of art, and a girl who wanted to paint.

Was this review helpful?

Even after reading the description of what this book would be I was not ready for it. Mimi is full of sheer determination. As a girl who knew what it was like to struggle for money she decided to chase her dreams which worked well until a tragic accident. Then she had to fight her way back through recovery only to find herself struggling for money again. She doesn’t quit though, she pushes forward and forces the community to acknowledge her talent.

On top of all of that there is the daughter she gave away and the ache she has to get her back. Then, seeing her daughter miserable she knows exactly what she needs to do to get her back.

The only part I didn’t like was the affair with the other artist. I understand the importance but still feel like it was a little tacky. The overall best friend falling in love and finally exiting the friend zone romance is one of my favorites though and really made this story a lot better.

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this as I am a art nerd.

The Painter’s Girl is set in Paris, 1860. Mimi Bisset grew up in the slums with an alcoholic mother.
She vows to never take that path for herself doing whatever job she can find to support herself, even though life has never been easy for her. A mother's heart never forgets. Giving up her daughter has been the hardest thing she has ever done in her life though at the time she thought she was doing the right thing so her daughter will have a chance at a better life. Mimi is the darling of the circus life where she preforms but an unfortunate injury puts a stop to that. Always having had an interest in painting she's pulled into the world of impressionist artists and the glamour that goes with it.
Life is rosy and bright with what looks to be a sure thing romance blooming but once again the sky darkens for her. When she discovers a secret has been kept from her she is outraged and can concentrate on nothing else. Her main objective is to have her daughter back with her and if this can't happen nothing else matters in life.
The story is fast paced and I enjoyed the descriptions of the art world. I felt like I had gone on a little trip to Paris.
The book kept my attention and was hard to put down. I recommend this historical fiction.

Was this review helpful?

This was a fun read. It was a little slow to start, but once I got to page 80 or so, it was hard to put down!

I adore historical fiction, and I love when it overlaps with art history. The Impressionists were a fascinating bunch, and Fripp does her best to include all of them. The plot is fun and the romance is sweet. (It's closed door, though there are plenty of descriptions of non-sexual nudity.) If you don't enjoy books with more than one romance/one where the main character is ambiguously in love with multiple characters, you will not enjoy this one.

Was this review helpful?

The novel takes the reader in a brand bohemian Paris setting, a place for artists to create without judgment, a place to fall in love without being constricted by the social scales expectations. But also a place to lose yourself in lies and betrayal. The Painter’s Girl is set in Paris, 1860. The main character, Mimi, has grown up in the slums outside Paris, alone, but with big hopes and dreams to one day make it out. She starts out working 3 jobs just to put food on her own table and help her best friends, Rafi, Henriette and Paulette. Mimi is also quite the talented artist using the colors and shadows of the streets to bring to life the pictures she sees and draws on her bedroom walls. The Cirque d’Hiver comes to town and after a series of events, is able to see the show and her new dream becomes being a part of the high wire act. At the same time, she notices there are men who gather in the back of the circus ring to draw pictures of the circus acts. Little does she know at the time, three of those men are Monet, Renoir and Manet, all unknown artists but soon to be up and comers in the impressionist period of art. Cleverly combining historical fact with fiction this fascinating story allows us a glimpse into Mimi's world, her hopes and fears and her express wish to be reunited with someone very precious to her. The writing is beautiful and hopeful.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity.

Was this review helpful?

Fripp imagines the life of Mimi Bisset, a model for artist Edouard Manet, and their fiery love affair in 19th century Paris. Mimi, who has never gotten over having to give her illegitimate child up for adoption, falls into a passionate affair with Manet after becoming his model. But when she discovers that he actually knows her daughter and kept the truth from her, all she wants is to get her daughter back. An accusation about Mimi, however, forces her back onto the streets. Still hse, is unbowed and vows to do whatever it takes to bring her precious daughter home. The sights and sounds of la Belle Epoque come to vivid life in Fripp’s story

Was this review helpful?