By 
Ellen Baker, the Author of “The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson” has written an intriguing and captivating novel. The Genres for this book are Historical Fiction,Saga Fiction, Women’s Literary Fiction, Domestic Fiction, Suspense and Mystery. The setting of the story takes place in Chicago, Illinois, 1924, and Minnesota, 2015. The author discusses important topics as Orphanages in history, Eugenics, Adoption, Racial Discrimination, Adoption, DNA, and the Importance of Family, Friends, Love, and Hope. This story is buried around, secrets, betrayals, and danger, The author vividly describes the deception and fraudulent practices of orphanages, and some hospitals.
The author describes her characters as complex and complicated. The female protagonist of the story, Cecily Larson has a challenging life. Left at an orphanage by her mother, with a promise that the mother would come back for her, Cecily is sold to a Circus. This becomes Cecily’s family. Sadly, Cecily is betrayed and finds herself in a dangerous situation that is out of her control.
In 2015, Cecily, now 94, takes a fall, and requires surgery. As she is recovering, her daughter and grandaughter are dealing with some major issues, and her great grandson is doing a project with DNA.
I found myself very confused when the author added an additional timeline and new characters with their own set of problems. I did go back and scan the story for these characters, who were not there. Ultimately the author does weave this into the story.
This is a though-provoking and important Historical Fiction Novel that I would recommend.
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