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The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson
The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson: A Novel | Ellen Baker
5 posts | 11 read | 3 to read
"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 (…more)
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janeycanuck
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Mummy-Daughter Book Club time with delicious waffles!

Predictable but still an enjoyable read. There were a few things that were hard to believe (Cecily's secret not naturally coming out for 60+ years, for one) but I really liked the characters and diving into 3 generations (sorry, I don't think Caden counts!)

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HettyG
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This is really a very sweet story. It also made me think about how much more common “open adoption” is these days (lots on this topic in my last book “Relinquished”) and how maybe it‘s not so much because it‘s the right thing to do, but also because it‘s just not optional anymore. With DNA testing the truth will out, anyone keeping an adoption a secret is sitting on a ticking time bomb.
Also, I would like to learn to make Cecily‘s 15 layer cake!

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marleed
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I think the cover art here is misleading. Although a Midwest 19th circus is the origin story of a 4-generation Minnesota family, this is much more about the potential discoveries to be found when submitting your DNA sample to an ancestory company. I find that fascinating because 👇

marleed A close friend‘s (in her 60s) dad is an octogenarian who always knew he was adopted but was never inclined to find out more. Well, my friend leaves nothing to mystery. Through ancestory.com she‘s connected her dad to half siblings and she continues to communicate with newfound cousins 3 states away. 👇 13mo
marleed And if that wasn‘t enough, she knew a deceased maternal aunt gave up a child many years ago. She found that child and found 3 additional half-siblings- all 1/2 to each other. She contacted all 4 and invited them (and some of their adult children) to her beautiful home where they all travelled to meet for the first time. The siblings met again last weekend and another trip is already planned for the summer. 13mo
Aimeesue Wow! What a great story. Curiousity leads to amazing things! 13mo
marleed @Aimeesue It‘s crazy to find such close relations on one side of a family, but that she got 1/2 siblings together on both her maternal and paternal sides is just unbelievable! I could listen to her for hours because those connections make her so incredibly happy. 13mo
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kissmehardy
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What a great read! I love how the nonlinear narrative worked and how all the plot threads came together at the end. Cecily was a fascinating if VERY naive character early on, and I was just so happy that she got her happy ending. Probably a good book club book! #historicalfiction

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