The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson: A Novel By Ellen Baker

In "The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson," Ellen Baker weaves a compelling multigenerational tale of survival, love, and the families we create. In 1924, four-year-old Cecily Larson is abandoned by her mother and sold to a traveling circus. She finds solace and family among the performers, especially with glamorous bareback rider Isabelle DuMonde. As Cecily grows up, she falls in love with a young roustabout named Lucky, leading her life down an unexpected and dangerous path.

In 2015, Cecily is now 94 and living a quiet life in Minnesota. When her family surprises her with a DNA test, the results unearth a tragic love story that Cecily has kept hidden for decades. The revelation also raises questions about the family she's raised and claimed as her own for nearly seventy years. Cecily and her loved ones must grapple with their identities and what family and forgiveness truly mean.

Baker's novel spans a long period of contemporary history, immersing readers in the lives of Cecily and her descendants. The story is richly detailed and emotionally resonant, exploring themes of love, loss, and the search for identity. Cecily's journey is both heartbreaking and inspiring, and readers will be drawn into her world as she navigates the complexities of family and forgiveness.

"The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson" is a captivating and thought-provoking read that will stay with readers long after they've turned the last page. 📚❤️