Home of the American Circus

De: Allison Larkin

Narrado por: Julia Whelan

The acclaimed author of the “lyrical coming-of-age novel” (Good Morning America) The People We Keep returns with a luminous new story of redemption, breaking generational curses, and the power of family in its truest form.

After an emergency leaves her short on rent, thirty-year-old Freya Arnalds bails on her lackluster life as bartender in Maine and returns to her suburban hometown of Somers, New York, to live in the house she inherited from her estranged parents. Despite attempts to lay low, Freya encounters childhood friends, familial enemies, and old flames—as well as her fifteen-year-old niece, Aubrey, who is secretly living in the derelict home. As they reconnect, Freya and Aubrey lean on each other, working to restore the house and come to terms with the devastating events that pulled them apart years ago.

Set in the birthplace of the American circus, this deeply moving novel is an exploration of broken families, the weight of the past, and the complicated journey of finding home.

©2025 Allison Larkin (P)2025 Simon & Schuster Audio

Dare I say better..

Dare I say this novel is better than The People We Keep? I gave TPWK 5 ⭐️ but I LOVED Home Of The American Circus MORE! This story was so so good. I adored Freya! Her sister was insufferable-I could’ve punched her and her husband. Even her parents who were absolutely horrible to her. This story is just so good! If you love coming home stories with family drama and redemption you will love this! It will definitely be a re-listen for me :) and I’ll prob buy a hard copy to read at the beach!

Julia Whelan makes this story feel like my best friend is talking to me.

This story was so beautifully written and all of these people felt like humans I actually care about.

Beautiful and Sad

Freya lives with her whole heart. It’s sad she was treated so badly as a child.

Author & narrator dynamic duo!

I loved everything about this book. AL, took me with her on this journey and I was absorbed by the story, I felt the characters and would randomly think about the story throughout the day. As usual Julia Whelan is absolutely THE BEST narrator, engaging the reader with every word! I highly recommend this book and AL first book, I look forward to her next novel!

I believe this is Allison Larkin’s best

I have read every book by Allison Larkin, each as soon as they were published. She is an adept storyteller with the ability to weave together a believable and thoughtful story that wraps around the reader like a warm hug.

This latest work by the author is my favorite. Julia Whelan narrates the audiobook with a comfortable voice that is a pleasure to listen to for hours. It’s no wonder the author has selected her to narrate her books.

A delightful ending to the audiobook was the author reading the acknowledgments, allowing the emotion of her appreciation for those acknowledged to be fully felt by the listener.

A beautiful story that will stay with me for some time.

Loved but..

Loved the story. Love anything Julia Whalen narrates. I just felt like there were too many loose ends? I have so many questions.

So Sad but So Meaningful.

Allison Larkin delivers such a moving story that kept me glued to my headphones. Julia Whelan narrating is a treasure for all of us to behold! She is so amazing and gets all the dialects down pat. Freya has so much trauma and no one there for her but she actually discovers so many who love her. What a healing.