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: 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: The Red Rose Girls
Review: My partner and I are thrilled with this excellent book on these major players in the history of American art and culture. It is an extremely valuable book that brings their remarkable lives to public attention after too many years of neglect. We feel Alice Carter finally does justice to their true story of love and success. These women provided the foundation for so many others in the 20th century and this book finally gives them the recognition they deserve. We love the way the book covers their dramatic struggles to be successful and to have a loving, fulfilling, relationship. The reproductions of their work are some of the best we've seen and there are many images that we've never seen anywhere previously. Only one of us is an artist but we both think that the book will be enjoyed by anyone. It is thoughtfully written and a sensational page turner that we rate at 5 stars.
Rating:
Summary: Great book about artists and friendship...
Review: Some great reproductions here too, of some Pre-Raphaelite-style art from the Philadelphia area about 100 years ago. Violet spent over 25 years painting huge celebrations of the founding of Pennsylvania in the Harrirburg State Capitol. She may not ne Michaelangelo, but is not far behind his Sistine Chapel! This small coffee table book will never go out of style, and does a great job bringing back 3 great lady artists!
Rating:
Summary: Red Rose Girls
Review: The Red Rose Girls is a remarkable book. Alice Carter does a superb job of documenting the lives and careers of Violet Oakley, Jessie Wilcox Smith, and Elizabeth Shippen Green. When the last page was turned I not only had a deep respect for their professional accomplishments but I felt that I had known each of these women personally.The strength and success of these women artists is an inspiration to everyone regardless of their sex or chosen occupation. The "Red Rose Girls" is a must have for any library. The quality of writing and research in this book makes it hard to put down and I am looking forward to seeing more publications by this author.
Rating:
Summary: Tree-mendous!
Review: This extraordinary book combines the traditional biographical format with the visual splendor of color reproductions traditionally found in a museum style art book. "The Red Rose Girls" is in a league all its own, combining history, biography, and art in order to recreate the lives of this amazing group of women. This book brings the reader into the world of these talented artists and goes further to explore the complexities faced by women striving for professional execellence. Carter's book definitely hits the mark, recounting the past and presenting themes that reverberate into present day society. Great!
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