Blank Canvas: The Amazing Story of a Woman Who Awoke from a Coma to a Life She Couldn't Remember

by Marcy Gregg, Hannah Brencher (Foreword)

When Marcy Gregg awoke from a coma, 13 years had vanished from her memory.
She was 30 years old; she thought she was still 17. She didn’t recognize the man who introduced himself as her husband. She stared at pictures of the three children they said were hers, trying desperately to remember them, but her mind was blank.

Terrified and confused, Marcy did the only thing she could think of: she faked it. She told the doctors she was starting to remember and bluffed her way through visits from friends and family. Against all odds, it worked: she was released to a home, family, and life she should have known intimately―but seemed to be a stranger’s. How was she going to pull off the biggest acting challenge imaginable―and would her memories ever return?

Ghost Boy meets What Alice Forgot in this amazing true story of a woman who lost herself and tried to fight her way back on her own―but who found unexpected beauty in hope, faith, and second chances.

Genres: Biography, Memoir, Nonfiction

243 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 24, 2022

Reviews

[Candy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book about overcoming incredible obstacles.

[Krista-Marie Linegar]

I definitely enjoyed the testimony throughout this book

[Rachel B · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is mostly about the author's memory loss and her response to that, but it also talks about alcohol addiction, chronic illness, and the author's painting career.

While I understand these were all parts of her story, the narrative felt somewhat disconnected to me because of that.

The book had a co-author, as the author isn't a writer, and I felt the same about this book that I feel about all books written by a third party and/or a "non-writer" - there was a lot of telling instead of showing, and it dragged on for too long.

I did appreciate how Gregg shared her failings and God's faithfulness, pointing readers back to Him.

I received temporary free access to this ebook from the publisher via NetGalley.

[Maryann Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was intrigued by the story of a coma and the loss of memory, but found this story to also be deeply spiritual. Beautifully written, Marcy Gregg's journey is evidence that God is always with us and that there is a holy purpose in our experiences. I had a hard time putting this book down and read it in one day. I highly recommend it.

[Dawn Nolt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in two sittings . The amazing story of a woman who woke up from a coma to find that she didn’t remember the past 13 years of her life is captivating and touching. She was a mom with two young sons, and a newborn but the last she remembered was when she was 17 years old. Incredible story.

[Vincent Bonfiglio · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[alissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, it’s so crazy to me that these things actually happen in real life and it was so Interesting watching her go through life after all of these barriers got in her way.

[sarah fox · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[MadOnReading · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I heard about this memoir, I was so excited to then get an ARC through NetGalley. I love memoirs and I love chronic illness memoirs. I also love memoirs about motherhood, so this seemed like the perfect book for me. But I just... I didn't like it as much as I thought I was going to.

The storyline was good, well written, well plotted out. But it was more the writing style that I just didn't particularly get on with--though it worked well enough that I was able to finish the book. But I just found myself skipping over and skim-reading a lot of the religious parts. I understand that religion is hugely important to the writer, but I can't personally relate to this, and so I was more interested in the on-page interactions between Marcy and other characters, than her 'letters' to God. There did seem to be a lot of lamentation in these letters, which is understandable. I'm chronically ill and I know the frustration--but I found it laborious to read those parts, maybe because they did hit close to home, in part.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blank Canvas by Marcy Gregg is a wonderful memoir that gives a testament to finding your way again and keeping your faith.

This is such a wonderful example of what faith and hope can achieve. Ms. Gregg gives her breathtaking experience of losing her memory after an illness and coma, but one thing that did not disappear was her faith.

M. Gregg tells of her trials, ongoing recovery with autoimmune issues as well, her family and friend support and structure, and the path that she has traveled since that pivotal moment in time.

Her faith is truly remarkable and truly inspiring. Such a beacon of hope that everyone should read.

5/5 stars

Thank you EW and Tyndale Momentum for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 4/26/22.

[Flora · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a well-written book with an interesting story about Marcy Gregg who lost thirteen years of her memory after suffering from meningitis and going into a coma. Some parts did drag a little.

I am wary and a bit skeptical about near-death experiences and sightings of people who are not there so that did bring down my opinion of this book, I'm afraid.

3 stars from me.

[Michele Morin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marcy Gregg’s story begins with the happy ending: her first solo art show and the loving support of family and friends. Who would have guessed that twenty-five years before, Marcy woke up from a coma with no memory of her husband, her two sons, her new baby, or anything about the past thirteen years of her life?

When her memory failed to return, the continual pressure of bluffing her way through life shook Marcy to the core and rendered all her coping strategies useless. Her healing process began when she recognized her weakness.

Marcy’s interest in painting emerged like a lost memory. Loading huge canvases with paint became a spiritual practice and put the truth of Philippians 4:13 on display: In Christ’s strength, she was able to believe that her painting would be a tool for spreading God’s Word.

Blank Canvas is an uncluttered memoir in which the author shares her story without becoming bogged down in self help or “devotionalizing.” The blank canvas of memory loss proved to be a devastating challenge, but trust in God freed Marcy to look beyond the blank canvas and to see a new beginning.

What “missing pieces” from your own life could become, instead, a space reserved for God’s creative work?

Many thanks to Tyndale House for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which is, of course, offered freely and with honesty.

[Perrianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

When 30-year-old Marcy, wife and mother of three, wakes up from a coma, the only memories she had left were up to the age of seventeen. I can’t even begin to imagine not being able to remember my children or husband, much less lose thirteen years of my life! Marcy’s strong faith lead her through the coma amongst many other incredibly difficult issues. I ascertained that her strength, faith and family were paramount to her overcoming her obstacles. She now finds her purpose in her oil paintings, underpainting a scripture verse underneath each one as a testimony to her compelling faith.

I am normally a fiction lover but this non-fiction title drew me in. I enjoy art and so was enticed into reading her story, which is sometimes difficult to read. Her road in life has just been incredibly hard! This appears to be her debut novel and I am pleased that I was able to appreciate her story.

I borrowed a copy of this book from my local public library and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met Marcy when she moved to Charlotte in late 1980”s and before her memory loss. I connected with her again when she started painting again and had no idea what she had been through in her life. She has endured many challenges including the coma, loss of memory, alcoholism, shattered knee and now rheumatoid arthritis. She attributes her resilience to her deep faith in God and her belief he will provide even when her prayers are not answered. She listens and hears God in many ways thru her art which is so inspiring.
I love that each of her paintings start with a bible verse that then leads her to create the piece. She says “ God is the artist of our lives. We are his blank canvas, and he gives our lives color and texture with every layer applied,each one having its own purpose to the end result. Though not all layers are seen, each of them matter and none are wasted.” A Blank Canvas allows one to create something new and beautiful. I couldn’t put this book down, it is such a compelling story, especially difficult to write because of her memory loss. I also have to note, her husband Dev sounds like an amazing husband who was with her every step of the way.

[Shadira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gregg debuts with a disappointing memoir about how her faith helped her rebuild her life after a case of meningitis wiped 13 years from her memory. In 1990, 30-year-old Gregg woke up in a hospital with no recollection of her husband, her three children, or anything that had happened since she was 17. The author tells the story of her recovery, from the shock of realizing that her nine-year-old sister was actually preparing for college midterms, to her crash course in mothering three young children she did not remember having. Overwhelmed, she tried to hide the extent of her memory loss, pretending to recognize friends from church and bluffing her way through dinner recipes. She developed an alcohol addiction to cope and quit only after recommitting to God and becoming a painter. Gregg writes without much insight or reflection, making her remarkable story feel tame and characterized by the same quotidian concerns—burning the meatloaf, corralling one’s kids while grocery shopping—faced by those without memory loss. Oliver Sacks this is not, but Christian readers looking for an uplifting narrative will be moved by Gregg’s conviction in God’s plan

[Lynn Dickerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was high school friends with the author, thus my initial interest in the book. It’s a fascinating story. Marcy was an exceptionally beautiful girl and still is as an adult. We have a tendency to think attractive, affluent people have it easier than the rest in this challenging thing we call life. Marcy’s story demonstrates that hardship, loss, and suffering is indiscriminate in where it lands. Even the rich and attractive are not immune to life’s slaps in the faces. Kudos to Marcy for persevering and prevailing.
The story is inspirational and interesting

[Abigail Westbrook · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting look at what it was like for the author to go through the permanent loss of 13 years of memories. It did not feel nearly as real or raw as many memoirs, probably because she had a coauthor who apparently did most of the actual writing. She seems to be surrounded by perfect people, all beautifully supportive no matter what the situation, which seems a bit unrealistic. But the book is well written and easy to follow, and it’s good to see how God has brought her through various hard things over the years.

[Robyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and Tyndale House Publishers for providing me with an ARC copy.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.

An interesting read but definitely one I have mixed feelings on. The story is mainly about the author's memory loss, a thirteen year memory loss that happened about 25-30 years ago after suffering from meningitis and going into a coma. It was interesting to learn about the author's experience and how she tried to overcome everything. Overall, a good read.

[Amber M · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the age of thirty, Marcy Gregg wakes up in the hospital -after being in a coma following her daughter's birth- and thinks she is seventeen. I was immediately drawn into her story. What would it be like to give birth to your third child but not remember you did? What would it be like to not remember your other children or your wedding day? I really enjoyed reading Marcy's story and how she dealt with the unimaginable. I was also encouraged by her faith.

[Amber Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mother told me about this book because she grew up with Marcy. It was quite insightful to see the pitfalls and walls that she had to overcome much like many of us have different pitfalls and walls that we build up to protect or cope. Except the only real way to cope is to face it.

Marcy Gregg If you read this Penny from Jasper says hi.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastically well-written account by Marcy of her life experience interwoven by the role she felt God actively exhibiting throughout. A tremendous undertaking that no doubt was an emotional rollercoaster for her to achieve, this book contains a message for all to cherish and revisit in their faith journeys. Inspirational and strong!

[HollyDavis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard Marcy speak at a conference and wanted to read her book! It is an story about a Christian woman who never gave up! She pushed through and lived to tell about totally forgetting very important years of her life. When she woke up from her coma she didn’t remember being married or even having children. Her road has not been easy but her life has been powerful.

[Melinda Willford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walking through the journey of Marcy Gregg’s life is truly inspiring. She is an amazing woman who serves an amazing God! Her story was a challenge to me to seek God more fully even in the darkest of times I might encounter. She always turns to God and to Scripture even when she is in the midst of being ensnared by alcohol. She never becomes a victim but Victor in all that she faces.

[Heidi Morrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful autobiography told from 1st person POV. I was able to listen to the audio version via Hoopla, and I really learned a lot about Marcy Gregg's life, and how she learned to trust the Lord, even in her darkest moments. I was able to listen to an audio version of this book via Hoopla, but it did not in any way affect my review. All opinions are my own.

[Jill Hearn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author of this book went through so many hard things. Sometimes not sure that she wanted God in control of her life. But she learned the peace of surrender. And she learned that when something is taken away, something else more beautiful can be built on top of it. Like her paintings that are many layers.

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent read—encouraging, relatable, full of courage in spite of grate difficulty. I appreciated how real and raw the author was to share her struggles, as well as the hope that set her upright.

[Denise Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an interesting story but it seemed to be so drawn out. I give her a lot of credit. She went through so much. I wish her continued progress

[Barbara Beatley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best book I have read in years! Once I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down again. The story was compelling, the writing was excellent; I laughed, I cried.

[A B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring story, 10/10 recommend- if you have a chance to listen to Marcy speak in person she is wonderful!!

[eleanor · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5