Discovering Emily

Kristin Butcher writes novels for young adults. Her most recent works
are Cairo Kelly and the Mann, The Gamma War, The Tomorrow Tunnel, The
Trouble with Liberty, and Zee’s Way.

Emily Carr (1871–1945) was an eccentric Canadian artist and writer who
immortalized British Columbia’s rugged landscape through her
paintings. Though much has been written about her, most accounts are
concerned with Emily as an adult. In this novel, however, Jacqueline
Pearce takes a different tack and delves into Emily’s growing-up
years.

The second youngest of nine children (three boys died in infancy),
Emily received a strict upbringing befitting the times. Cleanliness was
next to godliness, and for children “obedience” was the watchword of
the day. Acceptable and unacceptable behaviours were clearly defined,
and stiff consequences befell those who stepped out of line. But even as
a youngster clearly Emily didn’t fit this mould, and her free spirit
continually landed her in trouble. Discovering Emily follows her from
one jackpot to the next as she tries to figure out why she’s
different. Eventually, of course, she discovers an interest in and a
talent for art and sets her heart on becoming a painter.

Written as a novel, this book introduces young readers to the genre of
biography. In the interest of creating a good story, Pearce has
admittedly taken literary licence in her portrayal of young Emily, but
overall her account is true to Emily’s nature, as well as to
historical facts. Those wishing to find out more about Emily Carr’s
early years will want to watch for the sequel, Emily’s Dreams.
Recommended.