Emma Gillen, 19, lives in western North Carolina with her volatile cousin Lucy, a frustrated artist with an alcoholic mother. When Lucy’s mother disappears unexpectedly, Lucy flies into a rage, bullying and injuring Emma. Days later, they argue about who should drive down the mountain for food and supplies: Emma with a broken collarbone; or Lucy, who might be drunk. Their car crashes and three people die. Emma barely survives. Lucy, uninvolved and uninjured, vanishes. Eight years later, Emma finds peace and purpose as bookkeeper and model for her deceased uncle’s legacy project, Stonefall Art Center. She still struggles with night terrors, physical pain, a speech impairment, memory loss, and the shame of an accidental killer. Lucy returns, bringing chaos and needing money. Emma decides to bargain with her prodigal cousin: money, for truth about the crash. Tensions escalate after vandalism at the art center, and suspicion falls on Lucy as Emma tries to learn whether the attacks are related to the crash. A compassionate detective helps Emma recall fragments of memory. Was Lucy the driver, not her? The investigations require Emma to find courage and a new voice. Another person may hold a key: Chaz, the son of the woman who died in the crash. An awkward foster-care kid, he’s Stonefall’s new handyman. He keeps a close eye on Emma, whom he remembers from childhood. When Emma’s questions come too close to the truth, Lucy makes plans to remove Emma from Stonefall. Emma finally fights back, and in the “accident” that Lucy has orchestrated, it’s she—not Emma—who falls. With nothing left to lose, Lyssa finally shares the story that absolves Emma of guilt in the long-ago crash. Emma also learns how Chaz, the boy in the background, helped save her life. Throughout, help comes from unexpected sources: the family lawyer, keeper of family secrets; a miniature schnauzer named for a notorious pirate; and of course the sympathetic detective who helps Emma find her refuge—and perhaps a chance at love.
Assessment:
Plot/Idea: Blanchard pens a though-provoking story of resilience, centered on Emma, now an office manager and bookkeeper for her family’s art center. Emma’s years-long struggle to recover from a devastating vehicle accident that left several people dead is heartbreaking to watch, as is her tumultuous relationship with her cousin, Lucy—a wild card who pops back into her life unexpectedly, renaming herself Lyssa, but for all the wrong reasons.
Prose: The prose is efficient and convincing, subtly hinting at the currents that underlie Emma’s fractious relationship with her cousin—and, in many ways, herself.
Originality: Blanchard's finesse for teasing out the complexity of human relationships is a highlight and makes this novel compelling, suffusing the writing with profound depth.
Character/Execution: Emma is a penetrating character, rich with contrast: she is broken and flawed, but at the same time intensely resolute and tenacious. The supporting characters, particularly Jonah and Chaz, are easy to connect with and afford Emma the well-rounded support she so deserves.
Date Submitted: April 01, 2024
Lucy, who has now reinvented herself as Lyssa Morales, is quick to pledge love for her family as the reason she’s come back, but it soon becomes obvious to Emma that Lyssa is short on money and willing to do anything to get it. The stakes increase even more when vandals attack the art center and Emma receives threatening mail, sparking a worry that the two incidents are somehow connected. As Emma races to connect the dots, Blanchard skillfully layers suspense and red herrings throughout, keeping the story humming with muscular prose and deft characterizations.
Readers will sympathize with Emma—whose brain injury often causes her to utter unintended malapropisms—and love the supportive group of people in her life, including her former physical therapist, Jonah, her father, Frank (who is dealing with the effects of long COVID), and handyman Chaz, whose devotion to Emma and relationship to her accident comes as an explosive surprise. Emma’s essential goodness shines through as she tackles her guilt, misguided as it may be, and readers will love to hate Lyssa, whose questionable moral compass powers the story, resulting in a satisfying—and jolting—dénouement. Blanchard’s prowess in storytelling and expert delivery of suspenseful set ups will delight thriller buffs.
Takeaway: Expertly plotted thriller powered by twisty suspense and memorable characters.
Comparable Titles: Mary Higgins Clark, Ashley Farley.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
5/5 stars A college student’s life is thrown into turmoil after a tragic event in Blanchard’s impressive debut. Emma Gillen is consumed by a haunting guilt that gnaws at her every waking moment. For almost ten years, she has been imprisoned by the aftermath of a fatal car crash in the treacherous Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. With no memory of the tragedy, she is left to piece together the fragments of her shattered life. But when her volatile cousin Lucy reappears, begging for money and stirring up chaos, Emma must decide if she is willing to make a deal with this beautiful yet untrustworthy figure, who may hold the key to unlocking their shared past. Blanchard’s leisurely prose exudes a palpable sense of conviction, carrying readers effortlessly into the intricate world of her vibrant characters and the ruggedly beautiful landscape of North Carolina. The novel’s richly rendered setting surprises and delights, while Emma’s harrowing battle with her disability and guilt adds layers of depth to the riveting mystery at its core. Plenty of twists and turns, as well as lovely descriptions of the art world keep the mystery moving. With a hefty mix of inner turmoil, thought-provoking concepts, and authentic characters, this literary tale makes for a gripping narrative of redemption, fortitude, and bravery.
Still unable to recall all of the details of that horrible night, Emma finds herself at a crossroads when her long-lost cousin shows up on her doorstep. Set in the beautiful backdrop of North Carolina, Drawn to Life slowly unravels a mystery that happened eight years ago. Brilliantly written with strong, imperfect characters, Emma’s story will have readers taking in all of the small details from cover to cover. With themes of family, betrayal, narcissism, and hope, readers will experience a myriad of emotions while reading Drawn from Life. —Kristi Elizabeth, Manhattan Book Review 2/28/24
An accomplished debut...Blanchard beautifully delves into the depths of human flaws and the intricate relationships between characters. Emma’s role as an art muse adds depth to the story, highlighting the life-altering power of art in our lives. As the novel hurtles towards its unforeseen finale, Blanchard deftly captures the complexities of human emotion – angst, trauma, remorse, guilt, and ultimate redemption – resonating with readers at every stage of their journey. A winner. —The Prairies Book Review
BookView interviewed author Sarah P. Blanchard about her debut novel, Drawn from Life.
