The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson

A Novel

By: Ellen Baker

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

Length: 13 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

“A family secret, a DNA test, a journey as rich and colorful as the early-day circus itself. Through Cecily Larson’s hidden life, Ellen Baker tenderly examines personal determination, lost love, family ties, and our innate need to discover our own truth.” — Lisa Wingate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Before We Were Yours and Before and After

Orphan Train meets Before We Were Yours meets Water for Elephants in this compelling multigenerational novel of survival, love, and the families we make.

In 1924, four-year-old Cecily Larson’s mother reluctantly drops her off at an orphanage in Chicago, promising to be back once she’s made enough money to support both Cecily and herself. But she never returns, and shortly after high-spirited Cecily turns seven, she is sold to a traveling circus to perform as the “little sister” to glamorous bareback rider Isabelle DuMonde. With Isabelle and the rest of the circus, Cecily finally feels she’s found the family she craves. But as the years go by, the cracks in her little world begin to show. And when teenage Cecily meets and falls in love with a young roustabout named Lucky, she finds her life thrown onto an entirely unexpected—and dangerous—course.

In 2015, Cecily is now 94 and living a quiet life in Minnesota, with her daughter, granddaughter, and great-grandson. But when her family decides to surprise her with an at-home DNA test, the unexpected results not only bring to light the tragic love story that Cecily has kept hidden for decades but also throw into question everything about the family she’s raised and claimed as her own for nearly seventy years. Cecily and everyone in her life must now decide who they really are and what family—and forgiveness—really mean.

Sweeping through a long period of contemporary history, The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson is an immersive, compelling, and entertaining family drama centered around one remarkable woman and her determination to survive.

©2024 Ellen Baker (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers

Interesting story took a while to get into.

I enjoyed the second half of the book. I struggled through parts but that's on me not the writer. It started a little slow. I struggle with multiple storylines that intertwine in some books especially when I'm not focused on the book alone. However it was a good story and interesting take on ancestry and belonging. Would recommend if you like a few moving parts that come togetherv in the end.

Secrets Come Out

Im still working out how Isabelle became that person. The circus parts were fascinating. A little soapy but i enjoyed the book.

I loved this story, good plot

This story was interesting with many themes. Adoption- with a historical perspective on selling babies. Interracial relationships. The only part I disliked was how each of the female characters felt they had to keep secrets from each other. Overall good read, definitely recommend

Immersive writing and excellent audio performance

The author creates an immersive world, we feel like we are a part of the character’s lives. The story is somewhat magical by the end and will be enjoyed by many. Personally I appreciated the engrossing world perhaps more than the intricate plot itself.

Wonderful book club book!

This book was excellent. Highly recommend. We did it in our book club and I wasn’t able to finish in time but even after our discussion, I went back and finished it because it was so good.

A beautiful story

Loved the writing style, the weaving of the two stories. Felt like a sweet mystery.

For fans of Jodi Picoult

Good plotting of several timelines, entwined but easy to follow. Hard times but “happy ever after” in resolution… a little too much so for my taste. This might be a tough read for people with adoptions or DNA surprises in their history that didn’t turn out so happy.

The in depth character stories were so great!

I loved everything about this book! The saga was brilliant and narrated to perfection!I am recommending it to everyone!

Nature or Nurture?

A lifetime of secrets, lies and so much love, and the DNA that changed everything.

Loved this book!

I loved this book! It’s my favorite of Ellen Baker’s books yet. Wonderful story, great character development. She weaves important and persisting social issues into the story-telling that make it both realistic and compelling. Cassandra Campbell does an outstanding job of modulating her voice to enhance the unique personality Baker has given each character. So engaging I could hardly break away to tend my own life! I highly recommend this book!