Rating: 
Summary: An artist's and writer's dream.
Review: What a gorgeous book. Professor Carter has lavishly re-created a lost idyll that has inspired me to try and create a Red Rose Inn of my very own. One has only to look at the loving, candid, luscious photographs to know that this book is a rare glimpse into Victorian women's lives. Best yet, Carter acknowledges the possibility of the women's personal relationships without over-speculation. She walks the historian's line between possibility and probability, and lets the photographic evidence speak for itself in its own ambiguous way. A well-written jewel of a book, and a glorious gift.
Rating:
Summary: Beautifull!!!
Review: Alice Carter has written an incredible story about three inspiring artists. It is ununsual to find a book with such a scholarly, intelligent perspective that is presented with a human warmth and emotional attachment to the individuals that are portrayed. The sensitive approach of the author is perhaps related to the fact that as a young child Professor Carter knew and admired these woman and they served as an inspiration in her life. Whatever the reason, she has crafted an outstanding, beautiful book that will stand as a classic story in the history of art, the struggles of women, and the nobility of the human spirit.
Rating: 
Summary: Informative and Entertaining
Review: I bought this book with the idea of finding out more of the types of relationships women shared at the beginning of the twentieth century. I was astonished to find more than I bargained for. The Red Rose Girls provided more than insight into these relationships, it also provided a look inside the rise and fall of the progressive and arts and crafts movements. Pre Freud, the relationship of these woman was accepted and cherished as they lived together, and created their art. Post Freud, their relationships deteriorated as did their careers. All in all I found this book extremely entertaining, as well as heartening (a forty year relationship between two of the women) and the pictures are absolutely beautiful. If nothing else, as an art book it is extraordinary.
Rating:
Summary: Informative and Entertaining
Review: I bought this book with the idea of finding out more of the types of relationships women shared at the beginning of the twentieth century. I was astonished to find more than I bargained for. The Red Rose Girls provided more than insight into these relationships, it also provided a look inside the rise and fall of the progressive and arts and crafts movements. Pre Freud, the relationship of these woman was accepted and cherished as they lived together, and created their art. Post Freud, their relationships deteriorated as did their careers. All in all I found this book extremely entertaining, as well as heartening (a forty year relationship between two of the women) and the pictures are absolutely beautiful. If nothing else, as an art book it is extraordinary.
Rating:
Summary: An Amazing Achievement!
Review: I discovered and read Ms. Carter's lush tale of four intertwined lives some months ago and still remember my regret mixed with exhiliaration at turning the last page. Not wanting a book to end is probably among the higher compliments a reader can pay to fiction; to end a nonfictional story feeling thus, is rare indeed. Prior to RRG, Donna Tartt's fictional masterpiece "The Secret History" was my lonely, sole contender for this sort of accolade...
... It was precisely the lack of any undue focus on the women's probable physical intimacy, alongside a riveting collection of photographs that immediately caught my attention and held it. Throughout the whole of this story crept a quiet, matter-of-fact, stylistic elegance that kept this readers attention first and foremost on the place and the times, on three lives dedicated to art, on four women dedicated to each other. Brava!
Rating:
Summary: Add my voice to the chorus of praise! Wonderful!
Review: I loved this book. First, it is a quality book--great paper and color reproduction. Second, it is fabulous to finally have a book centered on some of the great female artists at the beginning of the century. Presentation is lovely, the writing clear and interesting. Buy it!!
Rating:
Summary: A great book about unique artists
Review: I really liked this book in part because as a woman artist I know that we are still struggling with the some of the same problems and restraints that these artists did. I was really impressed by their success as artists and ingenuity in creating a good working life by banding together. I wish the book had been longer and had gone into their artistic process more. I would like to know what mediums they worked in, etc. I thought the illustrations were beautiful.
Rating:
Summary: An Amazing Achievement
Review: It was some months ago when I discovered and read Ms. Carter's lush tale of four intertwined lives. I still remember the regret and exhiliaration I felt on turning the final page.
Not wanting a story to end is perhaps among the higher compliments I would pay to a book, and usually one relegated to a rare work of fiction. In fact, prior to Red Rose Girls, Donna Tartt's masterpiece, The Secret History was my lonely sole contender for this sort of accolade. To add my name to the chorous of other reviews teetered on redundancy, lily-gilding or worse....gushing. But then, we New Englanders are a stiff lot, and loathe to such displays.
It was interesting then, to trip over a Feb. 8th review in which a reader, also from my birthplace, expressed some criticism of Carter's speculation on the probable physical nature of the characters relationship, finding it presumptuous and distracting. (my words)
It was precisely the lack of any undue focus on lesbianism, alongside a riveting collection of photographs, that caught my attention and held it for the duration. Throughout this fascinating account crept a quiet, matter-of-fact, stylistic elegance that kept my attention firmly on the place and the times, on three lives dedicated to art, on four lives dedicated to each other. Brava!
Rating:
Summary: Beautifull!!!
Review: Kudos to both the author and publisher! The text is well-researched, the selection of drawings and paintings is definitive, and the reproduction of art and photographs is exemplary. Author Carter devotes more attention to the artists' art, and that is appropriate. For more information on so-called Boston marriages, however, I would add one of Lillian Faderman's books to my bookshelf so that I would have a keener appreciation of the Red Rose girls' relationships.
Rating:
Summary: A lovely book
Review: Kudos to both the author and publisher! The text is well-researched, the selection of drawings and paintings is definitive, and the reproduction of art and photographs is exemplary. Author Carter devotes more attention to the artists' art, and that is appropriate. For more information on so-called Boston marriages, however, I would add one of Lillian Faderman's books to my bookshelf so that I would have a keener appreciation of the Red Rose girls' relationships.
|
