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One of Us
A playfully macabre and utterly thrilling tale about orphaned twins on the run from their murderous uncle who find refuge in a bizarre traveling carnival, from master of literary horror Dan Chaon.
It’s 1915 and the world is transforming, but for thirteen-year-old Bolt and Eleanor—twins so close they can literally read each other’s minds—life is falling apart. When their mother dies, they are forced to leave home under the care of a vicious con man who claims to be their long-lost uncle Charlie, the only kin they have left. During a late-night poker game, when one of his rages ends in murder, they decide to flee.
Salvation arrives in the form of Mr. Jengling, founder of the Emporium of Wonders and father to its many members. He adopts Bolt and Eleanor, who travel by train across the vast, sometimes brutal American frontier with their new family, watching as the exhibitions spark amazement wherever they go. There’s Minnie, the three-legged lady, and Dr. Chui, who stands over seven feet tall; Thistle Britches, the clown with no nose, and Rosalie, who can foretell the death of anyone she meets.
After a lifetime of having only each other, Eleanor and Bolt are finally part of something bigger. But as Bolt falls in deeper with their new clan, he finds Eleanor pulling further away from him. And when Uncle Charlie picks up their trail, the twins find themselves facing a peril as strange as it is terrifying, one which will forever alter the trajectory of their lives. An ode to the misfits and the marginalized, One of Us is a riotous and singularly creepy celebration of the strange and the spectacular and of family in its many forms.
It’s 1915 and the world is transforming, but for thirteen-year-old Bolt and Eleanor—twins so close they can literally read each other’s minds—life is falling apart. When their mother dies, they are forced to leave home under the care of a vicious con man who claims to be their long-lost uncle Charlie, the only kin they have left. During a late-night poker game, when one of his rages ends in murder, they decide to flee.
Salvation arrives in the form of Mr. Jengling, founder of the Emporium of Wonders and father to its many members. He adopts Bolt and Eleanor, who travel by train across the vast, sometimes brutal American frontier with their new family, watching as the exhibitions spark amazement wherever they go. There’s Minnie, the three-legged lady, and Dr. Chui, who stands over seven feet tall; Thistle Britches, the clown with no nose, and Rosalie, who can foretell the death of anyone she meets.
After a lifetime of having only each other, Eleanor and Bolt are finally part of something bigger. But as Bolt falls in deeper with their new clan, he finds Eleanor pulling further away from him. And when Uncle Charlie picks up their trail, the twins find themselves facing a peril as strange as it is terrifying, one which will forever alter the trajectory of their lives. An ode to the misfits and the marginalized, One of Us is a riotous and singularly creepy celebration of the strange and the spectacular and of family in its many forms.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 23, 2025
175 people are currently reading
18085 people want to read
About the author
Dan Chaon
47 books1,506 followersDan Chaon is the author of Among the Missing, which was a finalist for the National Book Award and You Remind Me of Me, which was named one of the best books of the year by The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, The Christian Science Monitor, and Entertainment Weekly, among other publications. Chaon’s fiction has appeared in many journals and anthologies, including Best American Short Stories, The Pushcart Prize, and The O. Henry Prize Stories. He has been a finalist for the National Magazine Award in Fiction, and he was the recipient of the 2006 Academy Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Chaon lives in Cleveland, Ohio, and teaches at Oberlin College, where he is the Pauline M. Delaney Professor of Creative Writing. His new novel, Await Your Reply, will be published in late August 2009.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 305 reviews
September 12, 2025
This one was different. It's unique, imaginative, and original, I'll give it that. But it also was not my cup of tea. The book follows thirteen-year-old twins, Bolt and Eleanor, who leave home after their mother dies and they are left in the care of their "uncle" Charlie. When they flee from his care, the meet up with Mr. Jengling and join his carnival of wonders. Other reviewers have mentioned this book reminded them of American Horror Story's Freak Show (Season 4). I get that, I see some similarities as well.
This book is less than 300 pages and yet it felt like it took me forever to get through. I found it to be slow and that is always an issue for me. But I do have to give the author props for the originality of this book. It's odd, bizarre, and I never really knew what to make of it. I do like the aspect of found family. That is always a plus for me in books.
There is an audience out there for this book. Unfortunately, I am not part of that audience. Others enjoyed this book more than I did, so please read their reviews as well.
I had both the book and audiobook of One of Us. The narration of the audiobook was very well done.
2.5/3 stars
Thank you to Macmillan Audio, Henry Holt and Co. and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
This book is less than 300 pages and yet it felt like it took me forever to get through. I found it to be slow and that is always an issue for me. But I do have to give the author props for the originality of this book. It's odd, bizarre, and I never really knew what to make of it. I do like the aspect of found family. That is always a plus for me in books.
There is an audience out there for this book. Unfortunately, I am not part of that audience. Others enjoyed this book more than I did, so please read their reviews as well.
I had both the book and audiobook of One of Us. The narration of the audiobook was very well done.
2.5/3 stars
Thank you to Macmillan Audio, Henry Holt and Co. and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
June 7, 2025
4.5 rounded up
I've been a fan of this author since my first Fiction Writing class in college. My professor introduced us to his short story collection, "Among the Missing," and used a couple of them to teach us technique. I've read everything he's published ever since, though that collection remains my favorite. It's incredible. As a side note, I still think about that professor from time to time and how helpful and encouraging she was. I hope that she's happy and thriving wherever she is now.
"One of Us" was a very strange and dark novel that I couldn’t stop reading. It was different from Chaon's typical material, both in style and content. But the quality was still top notch. I would describe this story as an adult version of "A Series of Unfortunate Events," only much more violent, and perhaps with a twist of Wes Anderson and told in the style of the Coen Bros. (All of these things are positive.) The basic plotline is a brother and sister, twins, who end up as orphans and are adopted into a travelling "freak show" as they try to evade a dangerous man claiming to be their uncle. There's more to it than that, of course, and the further you go the stranger it gets.
Charlie, the "Uncle," is a horrific, murderous villain who is a little bit Count Olaf and a little bit Patrick Bateman in the body of an old fashioned, mustache twirling monster. There’s a part where he’s literally crawling around on top of a boxcar train, spying on one of the twins from above, and I was picturing him like a big creepy spider. It felt sort of cartoonish and silly, but also for this particular story it worked? That wasn't even the weirdest thing that happened.
I liked learning the backstories of all of the carnival characters, though some of them were shorter than others. And many were tragic. The other side to this, also, is that I cared about these people and whenever harm befell them it was painful. Though I guess that was the point. As far as the twins go, Bolt was definitely my favorite of the two. Eleanor got on my nerves a little bit. She was interesting and complex, but also very selfish. Part of me related to her desire to just be alone with her books, though, and her hesitation to trust other people. And Chaon did give her character an arc that I didn’t fully predict. Bolt was just naturally a lot easier to love.
The title of the novel is a direct reference to the 1932 film “Freaks,” which isn’t exactly famous for a sensitive portrayal of people with disabilities. Chaon handles the subject in a more heartfelt way while also addressing the cruelty and narrowmindedness of the general population, mostly through the perspective of Uncle Charlie and the detailed backstories of the various characters. As a reader, you aren't there to gawk with the carnival goers. You are there to become a part of the family and feel their pain. And it's important to note that many of them are very happy to be who and where they are.
This ended up being a beautiful story about the good (and the bad) in people. I’m still not sure how I felt about the ending. I think I’ll say that I appreciated it, but I didn’t LIKE it. Many parts of this novel were oddly funny even amidst the darkness, and I appreciated the short sections in each chapter, which kept me reading for long intervals. "One of Us" is a bleak and bloody experience, with bright moments of respite and relief. It's well worth the journey if you, like me, appreciate a strange tale.
Thanks so much to Netgalley and to the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
Biggest TW: Domestic abuse/child abuse, Racism, Suicide, Self-harm, *Animal harm/death, Misogyny
I've been a fan of this author since my first Fiction Writing class in college. My professor introduced us to his short story collection, "Among the Missing," and used a couple of them to teach us technique. I've read everything he's published ever since, though that collection remains my favorite. It's incredible. As a side note, I still think about that professor from time to time and how helpful and encouraging she was. I hope that she's happy and thriving wherever she is now.
"One of Us" was a very strange and dark novel that I couldn’t stop reading. It was different from Chaon's typical material, both in style and content. But the quality was still top notch. I would describe this story as an adult version of "A Series of Unfortunate Events," only much more violent, and perhaps with a twist of Wes Anderson and told in the style of the Coen Bros. (All of these things are positive.) The basic plotline is a brother and sister, twins, who end up as orphans and are adopted into a travelling "freak show" as they try to evade a dangerous man claiming to be their uncle. There's more to it than that, of course, and the further you go the stranger it gets.
Charlie, the "Uncle," is a horrific, murderous villain who is a little bit Count Olaf and a little bit Patrick Bateman in the body of an old fashioned, mustache twirling monster. There’s a part where he’s literally crawling around on top of a boxcar train, spying on one of the twins from above, and I was picturing him like a big creepy spider. It felt sort of cartoonish and silly, but also for this particular story it worked? That wasn't even the weirdest thing that happened.
I liked learning the backstories of all of the carnival characters, though some of them were shorter than others. And many were tragic. The other side to this, also, is that I cared about these people and whenever harm befell them it was painful. Though I guess that was the point. As far as the twins go, Bolt was definitely my favorite of the two. Eleanor got on my nerves a little bit. She was interesting and complex, but also very selfish. Part of me related to her desire to just be alone with her books, though, and her hesitation to trust other people. And Chaon did give her character an arc that I didn’t fully predict. Bolt was just naturally a lot easier to love.
The title of the novel is a direct reference to the 1932 film “Freaks,” which isn’t exactly famous for a sensitive portrayal of people with disabilities. Chaon handles the subject in a more heartfelt way while also addressing the cruelty and narrowmindedness of the general population, mostly through the perspective of Uncle Charlie and the detailed backstories of the various characters. As a reader, you aren't there to gawk with the carnival goers. You are there to become a part of the family and feel their pain. And it's important to note that many of them are very happy to be who and where they are.
This ended up being a beautiful story about the good (and the bad) in people. I’m still not sure how I felt about the ending. I think I’ll say that I appreciated it, but I didn’t LIKE it. Many parts of this novel were oddly funny even amidst the darkness, and I appreciated the short sections in each chapter, which kept me reading for long intervals. "One of Us" is a bleak and bloody experience, with bright moments of respite and relief. It's well worth the journey if you, like me, appreciate a strange tale.
Thanks so much to Netgalley and to the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
Biggest TW: Domestic abuse/child abuse, Racism, Suicide, Self-harm, *Animal harm/death, Misogyny
August 17, 2025
Dan Chaon’s literary horror ONE OF US is a captivating and unique tale unlike anything I’ve read before. With the prose similar to Chris Whitaker’s We Begin at the End meets American Horror Story Freak Show, this novel follows 13-year-old twins Eleanor and Bolt as they navigate loss, secrets, and the lure of a traveling carnival. Their bond fractures as Bolt tries to belong while Eleanor resists, her sharp contradictions making her both compelling and difficult. The story thrives less on answers than on atmosphere, which pulled me in immediately to this world.
Set in 1915, the twins flee a dangerous uncle after their parents’ deaths and find refuge among sideshow performers. Though outsiders, the carnival offers a sense of belonging—until the uncle tries to find them, determined to drag them back.
Dark, eerie, and unpredictable, the book balances menace with flashes of found family. This book’s being labeled as a literary horror, but it’s definitely also literary fiction and drama. I really think this book was an incredible story and almost a 5 star read for me, but ultimately I felt a bit distant the entire time. While not all threads resolve cleanly, the blend of horror, gothic mystery, and character tension makes for an engrossing, unsettling read. Bumping this up from a 3.5 to a 4 star rating for originality.
Set in 1915, the twins flee a dangerous uncle after their parents’ deaths and find refuge among sideshow performers. Though outsiders, the carnival offers a sense of belonging—until the uncle tries to find them, determined to drag them back.
Dark, eerie, and unpredictable, the book balances menace with flashes of found family. This book’s being labeled as a literary horror, but it’s definitely also literary fiction and drama. I really think this book was an incredible story and almost a 5 star read for me, but ultimately I felt a bit distant the entire time. While not all threads resolve cleanly, the blend of horror, gothic mystery, and character tension makes for an engrossing, unsettling read. Bumping this up from a 3.5 to a 4 star rating for originality.
July 9, 2025
As I started I kept trying to figure out what this book was. "What are you doing, Dan Chaon?" I thought to myself. And even though I've finished it and had some days to consider, I still don't have a good answer to this question. I hesitate to call it Horror or Surrealism, I hesitate to give it any genre classification at all. I don't think Chaon is working within the boundaries of genre even if he freely veers into it. It doesn't have a straightforward linear narrative, but it doesn't subvert narrative structure. It has stakes, and on paper the stakes are quite high, and yet much of the plot of being pursued can feel irrelevant much of the time.
I've been reading Dan Chaon for so long I can't remember when I started. When I read his 2017 novel ILL WILL everything changed. Did I miss it in his earlier books? Was this sinister darkness lurking there all along and I missed it? I'm still not sure. But I know that ever since then I have approached Chaon expecting, well, anything. His last novel, SLEEPWALK, delivered in that respect. It was one of the most bizarre and spectacular books I've ever encountered. With ONE OF US, he now embraces the bizarre at full tilt, bringing us into the world of a carnival freak show of the early 20th century.
This novel takes many of its influences so deeply that you will probably not have a single surprise as you read the author's note at the end. The most obvious ones are both films: Night of the Hunter and Freaks. Smash those two together and you have a good chunk of this book.
The book meanders, concerned above all with the question of who are the twins Eleanor and Bolt. Who are they to each other? Who are they to the rest of society? And once they have their new lives in this carnival, how do these two seemingly-normal teenagers fit in a group defined by its abnormality? The book is at its best once we get about halfway through, when Eleanor and Bolt take some space from each other for the first time. Separate, now we get to see them as individuals trying to define themselves. Bolt, who attempts to fit in, and Eleanor, who is determined not to. I loved prickly, mean Eleanor constantly reading the deeply saccharine Pollyanna, one of the best touches of contradiction.
Just like it isn't really horror, I don't think it's really a novel of found family or one of belonging. These themes surface for a while but then they sink back down into the depths of the novel's unpredictable ocean, along with many others. Eventually I stopped waiting for answers to questions, for any kind of resolution. Eventually I just sat back and surrendered and said, "Okay, Dan Chaon, hit me." Which is truly the best way to read it.
I've been reading Dan Chaon for so long I can't remember when I started. When I read his 2017 novel ILL WILL everything changed. Did I miss it in his earlier books? Was this sinister darkness lurking there all along and I missed it? I'm still not sure. But I know that ever since then I have approached Chaon expecting, well, anything. His last novel, SLEEPWALK, delivered in that respect. It was one of the most bizarre and spectacular books I've ever encountered. With ONE OF US, he now embraces the bizarre at full tilt, bringing us into the world of a carnival freak show of the early 20th century.
This novel takes many of its influences so deeply that you will probably not have a single surprise as you read the author's note at the end. The most obvious ones are both films: Night of the Hunter and Freaks. Smash those two together and you have a good chunk of this book.
The book meanders, concerned above all with the question of who are the twins Eleanor and Bolt. Who are they to each other? Who are they to the rest of society? And once they have their new lives in this carnival, how do these two seemingly-normal teenagers fit in a group defined by its abnormality? The book is at its best once we get about halfway through, when Eleanor and Bolt take some space from each other for the first time. Separate, now we get to see them as individuals trying to define themselves. Bolt, who attempts to fit in, and Eleanor, who is determined not to. I loved prickly, mean Eleanor constantly reading the deeply saccharine Pollyanna, one of the best touches of contradiction.
Just like it isn't really horror, I don't think it's really a novel of found family or one of belonging. These themes surface for a while but then they sink back down into the depths of the novel's unpredictable ocean, along with many others. Eventually I stopped waiting for answers to questions, for any kind of resolution. Eventually I just sat back and surrendered and said, "Okay, Dan Chaon, hit me." Which is truly the best way to read it.
September 26, 2025
4⭐️ This story was a very unique and strange tale of orphaned 13 year old twins, Eleanor and Bolt. The twins share a certain gift with their deceased father Jasper, telepathy.
Set in the early 1900’s, told from multiple POV’s of Eleanor, Bolt, and their conman “uncle” Charlie. After escaping the horrible uncle’s care, the twins end up being adopted by Mister Jeingling. Jeingling operates a traveling circus run by misfits of all sorts. Each of the circus characters, though afflicted by various deformities, are interestingly likable and possess different “talents”.
Reminiscent of American Horror Story, I was caught in the tense drama when “uncle” Charlie showed up to reclaim his kin. Did not see what was coming!
Bizarre, engrossing, surprising, I thoroughly enjoyed this one!
Thank you NetGalley and Henry Holt Publishers for the eARC in exchange for my honest review
Set in the early 1900’s, told from multiple POV’s of Eleanor, Bolt, and their conman “uncle” Charlie. After escaping the horrible uncle’s care, the twins end up being adopted by Mister Jeingling. Jeingling operates a traveling circus run by misfits of all sorts. Each of the circus characters, though afflicted by various deformities, are interestingly likable and possess different “talents”.
Reminiscent of American Horror Story, I was caught in the tense drama when “uncle” Charlie showed up to reclaim his kin. Did not see what was coming!
Bizarre, engrossing, surprising, I thoroughly enjoyed this one!
Thank you NetGalley and Henry Holt Publishers for the eARC in exchange for my honest review
September 14, 2025
I am very sorry but despite the fact that I tried several times to read further along than the first chapters, I just couldn't. The writing, the characters, the whole atmosphere... it all made me shiver.
Maybe its because I've always had a dislike for carnivals and circuses and especially clowns. I'm sorry I didn't realize these would play such a big part in the story.
Thanks to Henry Holt & Co and Edelweiss for this review copy.
Maybe its because I've always had a dislike for carnivals and circuses and especially clowns. I'm sorry I didn't realize these would play such a big part in the story.
Thanks to Henry Holt & Co and Edelweiss for this review copy.
October 30, 2025
... she would like to feel an aloneness so vast that you could melt into it and disappear.I remain a huge fan of Dan Chaon. When it comes to living novelists, it seems I can only think of a few favorites - and DC is certainly among them.
That said... this is the first of his novels that didn't particularly grab me. Easing into the read wasn't easy; it took maybe 20 or 30 pages before I was reasonably pulled in. (Note that I *was* eventually pulled in... so there was *that* in the book's favor. If I didn't hold Chaon in such high regard, I'm not sure I would have made the extra effort.)
My overall feeling is that I admire 'One Of Us' more than I actually like it. It's undeniably smart, well-written and well-constructed. It can also challenge readers (esp. Chaon's own readers) in a new, rather unanticipated way. (Maybe, in a way, I'm just not the audience for it, this time out.)
The research alone appears impressive. The author had to go back in time about 100 years in order to convincingly give life to his specific, stark, atmospheric, human landscape (even by incorporating bread crumbs of somewhat-arcane vocabulary of the period; words that would later fall out of fashion).
Up until now, I've always felt that - with each new novel - Chaon seemed to be pushing himself *forward* in one way or another, as a writer. But here it seems the opposite (the going back) is true and that's not just because of the time frame.
If you read the 'Author's Note' at the end, much becomes clearer in that regard. 'One Of Us' (a clever title which ultimately takes on a dual meaning) may be seen as homage. In that clarification, Chaon lets us in on the 'debt' he has owed since childhood to Ray Bradbury (specifically for the titles 'Dark Carnival' and 'Something Wicked This Way Comes') as well as other writers who explored circus life (or generally spoke to the author's soul) -
~ and his references to Thomas Tryon's 'The Other', Charles Laughton's film 'The Night of the Hunter', George Pal's '7 Faces of Dr. Lao' and (most of all) Tod Browning's 'Freaks' make complete sense once you've read 'One Of Us'. Homage appears to be all over the place - even as, out of myriad influences, Chaon is concocting something brand-new.
Two things about the story stirred me. The various displays of violence and murder (one murder very much in particular) made me teary-eyed. As well, the imaginative leap (late in the novel) that completely re-defines (protagonists) Eleanor and Blot as 'twins' suddenly took the novel to another realm completely. (My hat went off to Chaon at that point.)
All that said, this is a Chaon novel that, instead of more captively propelling me along with it, seemed to keep me at more of a fixed distance. I'm not accustomed to feeling that way with one of his books; a feeling of being more 'on the sidelines', simply looking on.
Maybe 'looking on' is in line with the novel's circus atmosphere. Hmm... Or mayhaps I need to let this novel... sit with me internally for a time. Hmmm...
December 7, 2025
The twins, Eleanor and Bolt, grow up in a house where the walls sweat despair and the tenants rotate. Their mother drifts through life with the charisma of a Victorian lampshade. She dies in the most predictable way possible, at the precise moment it causes maximum inconvenience. The twins bury her themselves.
Uncle Charlie shows up, claiming he is their kin, which is almost sweet until you realize he is lying, drunk, violent, theatrical, and somehow worse when sober. He drags them across state lines while forcing them into his criminal side quests. Eleanor and Bolt, already gifted in the art of bad decisions, eventually run off.
They hop a train, land in an orphanage, and get shipped out on an equivalent of an Amazon Prime for unwanted children. As they stop in towns, the cutest orphans are plucked off like cherries. The twins remain unwanted because they look like the before images in medical textbooks.
Then the circus man Jengling arrives. Tall, blond, theatrical, dressed like someone who would call himself a visionary. He adopts the twins in a single bound, which feels generous until you remember that generosity is rarely the motive when a circus master shows up and says I want that one.
Off they go to the circus, which is a catalog of human misfortune: the Strong Baby who looks like a bar fight in a diaper, the girl with no legs who dances with tragic grace, the man with nails in his skull because the author apparently ran out of ideas that day, the gorilla who waltzes with more dignity than half the men in the book, and Tickley Feather, a clown so unsettling he could ruin birthdays just by breathing.
Eleanor and Bolt are assigned the chores nobody else wants, the glamorous world of scooping animal waste and mopping up after the various other creatures. They sleep in Tickley Feather's tiny rolling apartment, where he glares at them like he is deciding which one will grow up to disappoint him more.
Uncle Charlie tears across the Midwest looking for the twins, turning murder into a form of cardio. Every place he visits becomes a crime scene and a strong argument for door locks.
Back at the circus, the twins try to blend in. Bolt falls in love with everyone who shows him a tooth. Eleanor studies every adult. The twins keep noticing that Jengling loves their oddness a little too much. They also notice that Jengling's collection of bottled monstrosities, skeletons, and curated horrors looks suspiciously familiar. Pattern recognition kicks in. The plot thickens with the same energy as week old gravy.
The circus grows stranger, the tension grows tighter, and the twins realize they may have traded one predator for another. Their psychic connection flickers like a dying candle. Their past advances like a drunk uncle on horseback. The carnival crowds cheer, because they have no idea that they are sitting inside a blender someone forgot to turn on.
The book tries very hard to be edgy, like a teenager who learned new curse words and decided they were personality traits. It wants to appear feral and gritty while still holding your hand so you do not get too upset. That is why it feels like YA with profanity sprinkled on top, the literary equivalent of a leather jacket worn over a very soft sweater.
The historical material is technically present, but only the way vitamins are present in cereal. You can see the shapes, but the flavor is sugar. The book gestures toward freak show history, exploitation, and early American spectacle culture, but it rarely digs into the real horror of it. Instead of letting the historical facts drive the story, they sit in the background like props the author rented from a museum and forgot to unwrap.
As for the plot, it has momentum and it does move, but only in a wobbly, chaotic, slightly noisy way. The emotional beats are broad. The twists rely on you accepting things because the narrative says so. The characters behave like symbols first and people second, which works in some novels but here just feels like shortcuts taped together.
It is entertaining in a carnival popcorn sort of way, but it is not deep, not sharp, and not particularly brave. It promises darkness but settles for mood lighting. It promises psychological complexity but leans on convenient trauma instead of earned insight.
The main problem is that the book states the messages it wants to deliver instead of revealing them. You are meant to nod along rather than discover anything.
Does the book work? Sort of. It is readable. It has moments. But it will not leave a crater in your mind. It is more costume than skeleton, more mood than substance. It feels like Chaon wanted to give you a dark fairy tale about exploitation but ended up giving you a gothic road trip where the scenery matters more than the engine. He probably had a Netflix scout in mind instead of a book reader.
Uncle Charlie shows up, claiming he is their kin, which is almost sweet until you realize he is lying, drunk, violent, theatrical, and somehow worse when sober. He drags them across state lines while forcing them into his criminal side quests. Eleanor and Bolt, already gifted in the art of bad decisions, eventually run off.
They hop a train, land in an orphanage, and get shipped out on an equivalent of an Amazon Prime for unwanted children. As they stop in towns, the cutest orphans are plucked off like cherries. The twins remain unwanted because they look like the before images in medical textbooks.
Then the circus man Jengling arrives. Tall, blond, theatrical, dressed like someone who would call himself a visionary. He adopts the twins in a single bound, which feels generous until you remember that generosity is rarely the motive when a circus master shows up and says I want that one.
Off they go to the circus, which is a catalog of human misfortune: the Strong Baby who looks like a bar fight in a diaper, the girl with no legs who dances with tragic grace, the man with nails in his skull because the author apparently ran out of ideas that day, the gorilla who waltzes with more dignity than half the men in the book, and Tickley Feather, a clown so unsettling he could ruin birthdays just by breathing.
Eleanor and Bolt are assigned the chores nobody else wants, the glamorous world of scooping animal waste and mopping up after the various other creatures. They sleep in Tickley Feather's tiny rolling apartment, where he glares at them like he is deciding which one will grow up to disappoint him more.
Uncle Charlie tears across the Midwest looking for the twins, turning murder into a form of cardio. Every place he visits becomes a crime scene and a strong argument for door locks.
Back at the circus, the twins try to blend in. Bolt falls in love with everyone who shows him a tooth. Eleanor studies every adult. The twins keep noticing that Jengling loves their oddness a little too much. They also notice that Jengling's collection of bottled monstrosities, skeletons, and curated horrors looks suspiciously familiar. Pattern recognition kicks in. The plot thickens with the same energy as week old gravy.
The circus grows stranger, the tension grows tighter, and the twins realize they may have traded one predator for another. Their psychic connection flickers like a dying candle. Their past advances like a drunk uncle on horseback. The carnival crowds cheer, because they have no idea that they are sitting inside a blender someone forgot to turn on.
The book tries very hard to be edgy, like a teenager who learned new curse words and decided they were personality traits. It wants to appear feral and gritty while still holding your hand so you do not get too upset. That is why it feels like YA with profanity sprinkled on top, the literary equivalent of a leather jacket worn over a very soft sweater.
The historical material is technically present, but only the way vitamins are present in cereal. You can see the shapes, but the flavor is sugar. The book gestures toward freak show history, exploitation, and early American spectacle culture, but it rarely digs into the real horror of it. Instead of letting the historical facts drive the story, they sit in the background like props the author rented from a museum and forgot to unwrap.
As for the plot, it has momentum and it does move, but only in a wobbly, chaotic, slightly noisy way. The emotional beats are broad. The twists rely on you accepting things because the narrative says so. The characters behave like symbols first and people second, which works in some novels but here just feels like shortcuts taped together.
It is entertaining in a carnival popcorn sort of way, but it is not deep, not sharp, and not particularly brave. It promises darkness but settles for mood lighting. It promises psychological complexity but leans on convenient trauma instead of earned insight.
The main problem is that the book states the messages it wants to deliver instead of revealing them. You are meant to nod along rather than discover anything.
Does the book work? Sort of. It is readable. It has moments. But it will not leave a crater in your mind. It is more costume than skeleton, more mood than substance. It feels like Chaon wanted to give you a dark fairy tale about exploitation but ended up giving you a gothic road trip where the scenery matters more than the engine. He probably had a Netflix scout in mind instead of a book reader.
October 12, 2025
Maybe we’re all freaks. Maybe the true monstrosities are those who appear to others as normal.
It’s not hard to imagine either these days as our country remains in the grip of a demented clown. But I couldn’t help but think of our present day as a backdrop as I read Dan Chaon’s latest book.
Dan Chaon is a master of the macabre I’ve been reading his books for years. Consider this: unfortunate twins Bolt and Eleanor find themselves orphaned at just 13-years-old. Their so-called Uncle Charlie, a psychopath and con man if ever there was one, appears at their door as their savior. Obviously, he is not. After an attempt at poisoning him goes awry, the twins take off and eventually end up as wards of yet another would-be rescuer: Mr. Jengling, who owns a circus of people who are physically or emotionally disabled.
There’s a prescient character named Rosalie, seriously strange, who has the head of her own twin, a boy, poking from the back of her head. There’s a dog-faced boy, a three-legged woman, a giant baby, and so forth. Mr. Jengling has an uncanny ability to find these curiosities, and it may well be that the twins, too, have powers they don’t even know yet.
As the novel advances, it becomes progressively otherworldly as it builds toward its climatic ending. Along the way it asks questions: what is the thin line between caring for others and exploiting them? What is the nature of personal autonomy versus sacrificing some of it to become accepted and “one of us”? Are our assumptions of what death means the only explanation? What does being a “family” really mean and when does it become unacceptable?
This taut thriller doesn’t forget to have a heart at its core. It’s not for the faint-hearted, and it stretches the envelope about what it means to be a “misfit” in a world where the definition is hazy.
September 28, 2025
Two twins on the run - after the death of their mother, their uncle took over their care. He was not a safe person and the twins run. They find the nearest point where people are auctioning off orphans (I love that this was included, a real part of our history) and they are picked up by a man that runs a circus.
The twins are brought into the family, accepted fully and they slowly find their footing and are given jobs and settle in. I found the twins fascinating. Their special abilities but also their own quirks - that they didn't both enjoy being there or the found family aspect of the story.
That we get the uncle pov as he tracks them was a deliciously dark and gross part of the story. He really was awful and his parts gave an fascinating outside perspective of the kids and this group of performers.
So many unique parts of this story - the different performers in the circus, we get to see both sides, the one that shows and the real story. We get to see their own skills and abilities and why they were chosen to join the show.
I loved the circus feel, the found family aspect, and the gross shocking parts. I did the audiobook and the different narrators did a great job of really changing voices and inflections for the different people and added a great immersive element to the story. A unique, compelling story, I enjoyed it!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
The twins are brought into the family, accepted fully and they slowly find their footing and are given jobs and settle in. I found the twins fascinating. Their special abilities but also their own quirks - that they didn't both enjoy being there or the found family aspect of the story.
That we get the uncle pov as he tracks them was a deliciously dark and gross part of the story. He really was awful and his parts gave an fascinating outside perspective of the kids and this group of performers.
So many unique parts of this story - the different performers in the circus, we get to see both sides, the one that shows and the real story. We get to see their own skills and abilities and why they were chosen to join the show.
I loved the circus feel, the found family aspect, and the gross shocking parts. I did the audiobook and the different narrators did a great job of really changing voices and inflections for the different people and added a great immersive element to the story. A unique, compelling story, I enjoyed it!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
Want to read
August 26, 2025ARC received! Thank you, Henry Holt and Co.!!
I've never read from this author before, but have really wanted to check out his stuff. This latest sounds like it could be a great fit for me. I'm excited!!
I've never read from this author before, but have really wanted to check out his stuff. This latest sounds like it could be a great fit for me. I'm excited!!
September 22, 2025
A wonderful, darkly humorous and atmospheric book to kick off the spooky season. It’s been awhile since I read a Dan Chaon novel, so I was looking forward to this one. It’s literary horror at its best!
The story is a captivating one and I enjoyed the vivid descriptions of the circus. As in all of this author’s work, the characters are unique and beautifully written. The creep factor here is high and the despicable Uncle Charlie makes for a great villain. The multicast narration that includes the author is outstanding. I loved everything about this including the cover art that is eerily beautiful in its simplicity.
The story is a captivating one and I enjoyed the vivid descriptions of the circus. As in all of this author’s work, the characters are unique and beautifully written. The creep factor here is high and the despicable Uncle Charlie makes for a great villain. The multicast narration that includes the author is outstanding. I loved everything about this including the cover art that is eerily beautiful in its simplicity.
June 14, 2025
American Horror Story Freak Show vibes mixed with A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemmony Snicket 🤣 I loved it! So so good! Almost like historical fiction horror and phycological horror, set in the early 1900’s. Thank you to Goodreads and the author for this giveaway!
September 16, 2025
Prepare yourself for an exhilarating WILD journey into the imagination of the renowned storyteller, Dan Chaon, as he unveils his fifth novel, ONE OF US.
Following the critically acclaimed works Sleepwalk and Ill Will (two favorites), this darkly comedic narrative takes readers on a thrilling adventure with twin orphan siblings whose lives intertwine with an eclectic band of misfits when they join a traveling circus to escape a crazy serial killer uncle.
Set against a backdrop of whimsical chaos, this tale is not only filled with spectacular performances and vibrant characters but also weaves in profound life lessons that resonate deeply.
Chaon's storytelling is deftly inspired by literary and cinematic masterpieces, drawing from the haunting 1932 film "Freaks" directed by Tod Browning, and the unsettling allure of Thomas Tryo's novel "The Other," a pivotal read that captivated the author at the tender age of 13. With a rich tapestry of extensive references illuminated in the Author's Note, ONE OF US promises to be a riveting exploration of identity, belonging, and the beauty found in our differences.
About...
Set against the backdrop of the somber Midwestern United States in 1915, the story follows Bolt and Eleanor, thirteen-year-old orphans whose lives have taken a harrowing turn under the sinister guardianship of “Uncle C,” known to others as Charlie. A con man with a chilling blend of charm and malice, Charlie is not only a psychopath but also a serial killer, casting a dark shadow over the twins’ existence.
In the weeks leading up to their mother’s tragic passing in 1914, she had foreseen her untimely fate, a chilling prophecy that left the twins to navigate a world filled with danger and deceit.
In a desperate bid for freedom, Bolt and Eleanor finally manage to escape Charlie's clutches with the unexpected help of a mysterious figure known as Mr. Jengling. This enigmatic man runs a circus that roams from town to town, the Jengling Traveling Emporium of Wonders, a kaleidoscope of both spectacle and sorrow.
The circus is a gathering of society’s misfits and marvels—intellectually and physically unique individuals—whose extraordinary talents are showcased as they traverse the landscapes of small towns, captivating audiences while revealing their own poignant stories.
As the narrative unfolds, readers are introduced to the vibrant personalities within this unconventional family: the strongwoman with her formidable presence, the dog-faced boy whose condition evokes both fascination and sympathy, and, most unsettlingly, Rosalie—a woman cursed with a second head protruding from the side of her neck, gifted with the morbid ability to predict the time and manner of a person’s death. Each performer’s background is intricately woven into the tapestry of the circus, highlighting their unique abilities and the struggles they've overcome.
In their newfound home, the twins discover a sense of belonging, family, and acceptance that had long eluded them. They uncover their own extraordinary talents, possessing the rare abilities of telepathy and telekinesis, which further set them apart and strengthen their bond with their fellow performers.
Yet, lurking in the shadows is Uncle Charlie, relentless in his pursuit of the twins and leaving a trail of bloodshed in his wake. Who would ever suspect that these two cherished infants would bravely flee from the so-called protection of their guardian? And who could have imagined that the only flicker of altruism in Uncle Charlie's dark heart would ignite such a bitter, furious chase? The tension mounts as Bolt and Eleanor’s fight for freedom intertwines with their struggle to forge a family in a world fraught with both wonder and horror.
My Thoughts...
As an ardent admirer of the author’s work, I am endlessly captivated by his signature eccentric characters, each more vivid and intriguing than the last. His dark humor weaves through every page, adding an unsettling depth to the bizarre settings he masterfully creates. The larger-than-life personas leap off the page, while his innovative storylines keep readers on their toes.
There’s always a sprinkle of heart intertwined with the thrillers, which makes his writing uniquely compelling—guaranteeing that avid fans keep coming back for more.
In this latest tale, the author guides us through the chaotic allure of a traveling carnival, where every curtain hides a dark and twisted secret, leading to unexpected revelations and intense surprises.
Upon their arrival in this peculiar and vibrant family, the twins uncover a sense of safety, purpose, and a spark of wonder amid the chaos, yet paradoxically, they find themselves drifting further apart as their journeys unfold.
At the core of the narrative are the twins and the meaning of family, as explored through the Orphan Train, the Jengling Carnival, and even Charlie, each seeking family, longing, and embarking on divergent paths that reflect their evolving identities.
Told through multiple perspectives, the narrative captivates readers with the adventures and complexities of this eccentric, darkly enchanting ensemble. The experience is fully immersive—a heady blend of dark entertainment and alarming elements, paired with exuberant liveliness that keeps one enthralled.
Dan Chaon adeptly leads us into the captivating world of the twins and their intriguing circus, which challenges us to ponder the true meaning of belonging in a world filled with whimsical chaos and hidden depths.
Audiobook...
I had the pleasure of reading the book and listening to the audiobook, which features the exceptional narration of John Pirhalla and Stephanie Németh-Parker, and words from the author himself, Dan Chaon. Their performance brings the diverse cast of characters vividly to life, creating an outstanding listening experience that beautifully captures the essence of family in all its varied and unconventional forms.
Recs...
For fans of the author and those who enjoy their books with some freaky, weird, strange vibes with a side of horror, mystery, suspense, eccentric — and a thoughtful 'thriller with heart' that emphasizes the deep personal and emotional connections of its characters.
Readers who savor tales infused with eerie peculiarities, ONE OF US is a treasure trove. Picture a story laced with unsettling atmospheres, where mysteries unfold amidst a cast of intriguing misfits. The thoughtful narrative offers not only chills but also profound insights that resonate deeply. If you’re drawn to captivating narratives that intertwine the strange and haunting with meaningful life lessons, this is a journey you won’t want to miss.
Special thanks to Henry Holt & Company, Macmillan Audio, #MacAudio2025, and NetGalley for providing an ARC and ALC for my honest thoughts.
I can't wait to see what Chaon comes up with next.
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub date: Sept 23, 2025
Sept Newsletter
Sept 2025 Must-Read Books
Following the critically acclaimed works Sleepwalk and Ill Will (two favorites), this darkly comedic narrative takes readers on a thrilling adventure with twin orphan siblings whose lives intertwine with an eclectic band of misfits when they join a traveling circus to escape a crazy serial killer uncle.
Set against a backdrop of whimsical chaos, this tale is not only filled with spectacular performances and vibrant characters but also weaves in profound life lessons that resonate deeply.
Chaon's storytelling is deftly inspired by literary and cinematic masterpieces, drawing from the haunting 1932 film "Freaks" directed by Tod Browning, and the unsettling allure of Thomas Tryo's novel "The Other," a pivotal read that captivated the author at the tender age of 13. With a rich tapestry of extensive references illuminated in the Author's Note, ONE OF US promises to be a riveting exploration of identity, belonging, and the beauty found in our differences.
About...
Set against the backdrop of the somber Midwestern United States in 1915, the story follows Bolt and Eleanor, thirteen-year-old orphans whose lives have taken a harrowing turn under the sinister guardianship of “Uncle C,” known to others as Charlie. A con man with a chilling blend of charm and malice, Charlie is not only a psychopath but also a serial killer, casting a dark shadow over the twins’ existence.
In the weeks leading up to their mother’s tragic passing in 1914, she had foreseen her untimely fate, a chilling prophecy that left the twins to navigate a world filled with danger and deceit.
In a desperate bid for freedom, Bolt and Eleanor finally manage to escape Charlie's clutches with the unexpected help of a mysterious figure known as Mr. Jengling. This enigmatic man runs a circus that roams from town to town, the Jengling Traveling Emporium of Wonders, a kaleidoscope of both spectacle and sorrow.
The circus is a gathering of society’s misfits and marvels—intellectually and physically unique individuals—whose extraordinary talents are showcased as they traverse the landscapes of small towns, captivating audiences while revealing their own poignant stories.
As the narrative unfolds, readers are introduced to the vibrant personalities within this unconventional family: the strongwoman with her formidable presence, the dog-faced boy whose condition evokes both fascination and sympathy, and, most unsettlingly, Rosalie—a woman cursed with a second head protruding from the side of her neck, gifted with the morbid ability to predict the time and manner of a person’s death. Each performer’s background is intricately woven into the tapestry of the circus, highlighting their unique abilities and the struggles they've overcome.
In their newfound home, the twins discover a sense of belonging, family, and acceptance that had long eluded them. They uncover their own extraordinary talents, possessing the rare abilities of telepathy and telekinesis, which further set them apart and strengthen their bond with their fellow performers.
Yet, lurking in the shadows is Uncle Charlie, relentless in his pursuit of the twins and leaving a trail of bloodshed in his wake. Who would ever suspect that these two cherished infants would bravely flee from the so-called protection of their guardian? And who could have imagined that the only flicker of altruism in Uncle Charlie's dark heart would ignite such a bitter, furious chase? The tension mounts as Bolt and Eleanor’s fight for freedom intertwines with their struggle to forge a family in a world fraught with both wonder and horror.
My Thoughts...
As an ardent admirer of the author’s work, I am endlessly captivated by his signature eccentric characters, each more vivid and intriguing than the last. His dark humor weaves through every page, adding an unsettling depth to the bizarre settings he masterfully creates. The larger-than-life personas leap off the page, while his innovative storylines keep readers on their toes.
There’s always a sprinkle of heart intertwined with the thrillers, which makes his writing uniquely compelling—guaranteeing that avid fans keep coming back for more.
In this latest tale, the author guides us through the chaotic allure of a traveling carnival, where every curtain hides a dark and twisted secret, leading to unexpected revelations and intense surprises.
Upon their arrival in this peculiar and vibrant family, the twins uncover a sense of safety, purpose, and a spark of wonder amid the chaos, yet paradoxically, they find themselves drifting further apart as their journeys unfold.
At the core of the narrative are the twins and the meaning of family, as explored through the Orphan Train, the Jengling Carnival, and even Charlie, each seeking family, longing, and embarking on divergent paths that reflect their evolving identities.
Told through multiple perspectives, the narrative captivates readers with the adventures and complexities of this eccentric, darkly enchanting ensemble. The experience is fully immersive—a heady blend of dark entertainment and alarming elements, paired with exuberant liveliness that keeps one enthralled.
Dan Chaon adeptly leads us into the captivating world of the twins and their intriguing circus, which challenges us to ponder the true meaning of belonging in a world filled with whimsical chaos and hidden depths.
Audiobook...
I had the pleasure of reading the book and listening to the audiobook, which features the exceptional narration of John Pirhalla and Stephanie Németh-Parker, and words from the author himself, Dan Chaon. Their performance brings the diverse cast of characters vividly to life, creating an outstanding listening experience that beautifully captures the essence of family in all its varied and unconventional forms.
Recs...
For fans of the author and those who enjoy their books with some freaky, weird, strange vibes with a side of horror, mystery, suspense, eccentric — and a thoughtful 'thriller with heart' that emphasizes the deep personal and emotional connections of its characters.
Readers who savor tales infused with eerie peculiarities, ONE OF US is a treasure trove. Picture a story laced with unsettling atmospheres, where mysteries unfold amidst a cast of intriguing misfits. The thoughtful narrative offers not only chills but also profound insights that resonate deeply. If you’re drawn to captivating narratives that intertwine the strange and haunting with meaningful life lessons, this is a journey you won’t want to miss.
Special thanks to Henry Holt & Company, Macmillan Audio, #MacAudio2025, and NetGalley for providing an ARC and ALC for my honest thoughts.
I can't wait to see what Chaon comes up with next.
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub date: Sept 23, 2025
Sept Newsletter
Sept 2025 Must-Read Books
December 6, 2025
They was born out of the same womb, two minutes apart.
And that’s how we first meet the twins at the heart of Dan Chaon’s disturbing historical novel, One of Us. I am no stranger to Chaon and the brutal violence of his storytelling, but maybe December wasn’t the best timing for this early 1900s traveling circus of darkness, complete with an ax-murdering psychopath.
Killer aside, I am a sucker for circus novels and the characters assembled here are fascinating and fully developed. I loved how Choan opened up the inner world of people defined as freaks by society and how they’re affected by their unusual traits. The circus is a world within the world, but does it provide safety or further constriction?
He feels relatively safe here, though he is aware as he walks the circumference of the carnival that he is also pacing along the wall of a zoo's enclosure. Protected and yet trapped. Included and collected.
The strain between the feelings of “included vs. collected” drives the emotional tension in this novel and Chaon clearly did his research to bring the time period to life. Eugenics, racism, circus history and early 20th century American expansion all find their way into this book, making it marvelously interesting as historic fiction.
All that said, it’s DARK, and it left me feeling unsettled. So much so that it might have only been 3 stars if it weren’t for the strong writing and circus background.
Read-alikes
The Night Circus (which Chaon credits in his acknowledgements)
Geek Love (one of my all time favorite novels)
January 3, 2026
3.75 stars
I came for the creepy circus vibes and stayed for the deeply unsettling meditation on identity, family, and what it means to belong. One of Us drops us into a 1915 traveling carnival full of wonderfully strange misfits, and Chaon clearly understands the irresistible pull of a sideshow populated by people who are both spectacular and deeply human. The orphaned twins at the center—psychically linked and emotionally tangled—are compelling, and their found-family dynamic with the Emporium of Wonders is the novel at its strongest.
That said, this is a slow-burn kind of horror—more dread than shocks, more unease than bloodshed. At times, the pacing meanders like a carnival train making one stop too many, and I occasionally wanted either sharper stakes or a bit more narrative momentum. Still, the atmosphere is immaculate, the themes are thoughtful, and the menace simmers nicely in the background.
Overall, a stylish, melancholy, and quietly creepy read—and a strong first impression of Chaon for me. Not the scariest show on the midway, but definitely one worth buying a ticket for. 🎪📖
I came for the creepy circus vibes and stayed for the deeply unsettling meditation on identity, family, and what it means to belong. One of Us drops us into a 1915 traveling carnival full of wonderfully strange misfits, and Chaon clearly understands the irresistible pull of a sideshow populated by people who are both spectacular and deeply human. The orphaned twins at the center—psychically linked and emotionally tangled—are compelling, and their found-family dynamic with the Emporium of Wonders is the novel at its strongest.
That said, this is a slow-burn kind of horror—more dread than shocks, more unease than bloodshed. At times, the pacing meanders like a carnival train making one stop too many, and I occasionally wanted either sharper stakes or a bit more narrative momentum. Still, the atmosphere is immaculate, the themes are thoughtful, and the menace simmers nicely in the background.
Overall, a stylish, melancholy, and quietly creepy read—and a strong first impression of Chaon for me. Not the scariest show on the midway, but definitely one worth buying a ticket for. 🎪📖
May 12, 2025
My genuine gratitude to #netgalley and to #henryholtpublishing for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy of #OneOfUs - Dan Chaon's forthcoming novel (due for publication on 9.23.2025). Since first reading #AwaitYourReply in 2009, I knew this was a writer to follow closely. His literary influences include people like Ray Bradbury and Shirley Jackson, among others, and his writing is intelligent, mysterious, dark, and filled with unforgettable details and memorable characters. Many of these characters share a trait of being on the outside - fringe - even uniquely (and disturbingly) "talented" and magical in their own ways. This latest novel included most of these factors but was wildly different in many ways as well.
This book, above all prior work, championed the fringe outsider and celebrated diversity in the most extreme and otherworldly ways. Without giving away too many details, the protagonists of the novel -- siblings Eleanor and Bolt -- are orphaned at a young age and, in true fairy tale misfortune, left penniless. But these are very special young characters. They are immediately preyed upon by their "Uncle Charlie Lambkin" -- a psychopath unlike anyone that Chaon has created in the past. The majority of the novel takes places around 1915 and the few years that follow and is primarily set in a traveling carnival (a setting where truly anything can - and often does - happen...some of it downright nightmare inducing).
I fell in love with many of the carnival characters and this is a novel that screams "what you see is NOT NECESSARILY what you get." The characters run deep and many are provided with backstories that are fascinating and heartbreaking to read. One of my favorite aspects of finishing the novel was the "Author's Note" section which lovingly lists the MANY references that were influential in the writing of this book. Sources dating back to the 30s and others from more recent years. Many having to do with the circus and for anyone interested in the MANY topics this novel weaves within its pages, the resources may become an entirely new adventure in reading and backstory. For instance, the Uncle Charlie character -- based on a true story and I'll be learning more about that soon. Books, films, directors, authors - some familiar, others not, but now on my radar as well.
Dan Chaon is incredibly talented -- one of the best, actually -- at creating dark and disturbing narrative tension, twisty plots, indelible characters, effortlessly impactful dialogue, and - most of all - imagery that will keep you awake at night. He knows scary, creepy, mysterious, the stuff that sticks in the back of your mind and never goes away.. And anything he writes, I will read, usually multiple times. I'm proud to have turned many friends onto this author and to have had the opportunity to tell him - via social media platforms - that he is a favorite. He is a supporter of fellow writers, a passionate music and film guy, and just seems like a kind and down-to-earth human who happens to write kick-ass novels. So thank you again and I HIGHLY recommend "One of Us." Preorder for 9/23/2025.
And I STRONGLY AND CONFIDENTLY recommend visiting Dan Chaon's entire collection of amazing novels and short stories.
This book, above all prior work, championed the fringe outsider and celebrated diversity in the most extreme and otherworldly ways. Without giving away too many details, the protagonists of the novel -- siblings Eleanor and Bolt -- are orphaned at a young age and, in true fairy tale misfortune, left penniless. But these are very special young characters. They are immediately preyed upon by their "Uncle Charlie Lambkin" -- a psychopath unlike anyone that Chaon has created in the past. The majority of the novel takes places around 1915 and the few years that follow and is primarily set in a traveling carnival (a setting where truly anything can - and often does - happen...some of it downright nightmare inducing).
I fell in love with many of the carnival characters and this is a novel that screams "what you see is NOT NECESSARILY what you get." The characters run deep and many are provided with backstories that are fascinating and heartbreaking to read. One of my favorite aspects of finishing the novel was the "Author's Note" section which lovingly lists the MANY references that were influential in the writing of this book. Sources dating back to the 30s and others from more recent years. Many having to do with the circus and for anyone interested in the MANY topics this novel weaves within its pages, the resources may become an entirely new adventure in reading and backstory. For instance, the Uncle Charlie character -- based on a true story and I'll be learning more about that soon. Books, films, directors, authors - some familiar, others not, but now on my radar as well.
Dan Chaon is incredibly talented -- one of the best, actually -- at creating dark and disturbing narrative tension, twisty plots, indelible characters, effortlessly impactful dialogue, and - most of all - imagery that will keep you awake at night. He knows scary, creepy, mysterious, the stuff that sticks in the back of your mind and never goes away.. And anything he writes, I will read, usually multiple times. I'm proud to have turned many friends onto this author and to have had the opportunity to tell him - via social media platforms - that he is a favorite. He is a supporter of fellow writers, a passionate music and film guy, and just seems like a kind and down-to-earth human who happens to write kick-ass novels. So thank you again and I HIGHLY recommend "One of Us." Preorder for 9/23/2025.
And I STRONGLY AND CONFIDENTLY recommend visiting Dan Chaon's entire collection of amazing novels and short stories.
October 27, 2025
The narration really brought this audiobook to life. I always love reading Dan Chaon so I enjoyed this circus tale.
November 16, 2025
Abandoned at 50% due to boredom. It’s heavy on descriptions and exaggerated characters, but a bit weak on plot. Disappointing.
June 27, 2025
Another example of Chaon's far reaching imagination, but what I really enjoyed was reading author's note in which he lists his inspirations, some of which I recognized as I read. Don't usually read horror, but enjoyed this one.
January 19, 2026
If any contemporary author sheds a naked light on the weird, wicked and wild array of humanity, it's Dan Chaon. I've loved every single one of his novels, shivering as he opens the lid off of a supposedly common life to show us not only the misery - and frequently the horror - that lurks there, but the deep, unsettling peculiarity. Chaon does not need circus freaks when he sees the hidden freaks out there in the noon day sun so clearly.
And still, under the ominous Big Top we go: One of Us is fantastic, in every sense of the word. It's a pitch black sideshow of a novel, with little letup, as compelling and addictive as anything Chaon has ever written.
It is 1915 when we meet the unfortunate, orphaned twins Eleanor and Bolt, names that swing like clock pendulums (and their cruel surname, Lambkin! How many children had a little stuffed Lambykin doll to cuddle?) Eleanor is clever, self protective and gingery weasel-plain in appearance; the feminine wiles of more delicate girls unavailable to her. Bolt is somewhat easier on the eyes, but needier and slower. They know each other as no one else ever will, able to pop in and out of each other's thoughts at will.
With no adults to care for them, Eleanor and Bolt are easy prey for traveling circus ringmaster Harland Jengling - every name in the book is that perfect, that referential - who swoops them up like a soaring eagle retracting its talons, promising home and a new life. Off he whisks them to striped tents and sticky cotton candy, where they'll meet a boy entirely covered in fur, a girl with a third leg jutting out, a host of other sideshow performers, tiny and gigantic, lumbering grease painted clowns. Their tale unspools, like a tattered, blood red ribbon.
By then, the twins have had a stay with the lone, uniquely odious relative willing to take them in - or just take them, really. As rattling as the circus scenes are, nothing had me more on edge than the passages with their putrid, murderous Uncle Charlie, his vision clouded by alcoholic delirium, his mouth, all black teeth and stench, proclaiming familial love. At times, Chaon manages to make this character as far fetched a buffoon as Daffy Duck, while still maintaining the terror Uncle Charlie creates, the filth dripping off of him. The twins may escape his taloned clutches, but he is never far behind.
I did wonder if he was named as a nod to Hitchcock's Shadow of a Doubt Uncle Charlie, but that serial killer was also a gentleman who cleaned up nicely, the opposite of the vile creature 'takin keer of' Eleanor and Bolt. There is a great amount of referencing to other grim tales of ill fated chillun and misbegotten cirque otherlings - when starting with a title ripped from the 1932 banned movie Freaks, you know the ride you signed up for. The yokel talk also pervades throughout - yee haw, ya pore lil dogies! - occasionally irksome early on, but increasingly fitting as the twins journey on through a battered Midwest of the past.
One of Us frequently delights in its grotesquerie. A scene under a darkened tent with the "trapt" young woman Rosalie and her parasitic twin left me sickened, as if I was stuck on a janky carousel ride. Ugh, I thought, putting down the book, well played, Mr. Chaon, damn it.
It is farcical at times, but it is not a happy story (okay, I snorted as I wrote that - it's like saying the beheading of Anne Boleyn lacks whimsy). The shadows inch in closer, smoking out any tendrils of hope one had for Eleanor and Bolt.
There were times, particularly as we oozed toward the end, where I craved some relief, one mote of clean, unfiltered light. The novel is unrelenting.
Or maybe I need to toughen up. This is the first of Chaon's novels where it was clear he was having a blast, stepping out on the highest of razor thin wires and grinning at the public below. There was some sense of a writer having evil fun with Sleepwalk, his last novel, (which may be my favourite of his works), but this is brazenly going for as many jugulars as he can grab at once - juggling jugulars, this book is creeping through my blood. I needed a long hot shower at the end, but I still can't wash it off, or drown it out - One of us! One of us! Lord have mercy.
I should have mentioned earlier (and read earlier, for that matter!) my thanks for the early copy from a Goodreads/Holt sponsored giveaway. Dan Chaon is a favourite of mine, and I was thrilled to receive the book, if also a wee bit terrified. Both reactions proved correct.
And still, under the ominous Big Top we go: One of Us is fantastic, in every sense of the word. It's a pitch black sideshow of a novel, with little letup, as compelling and addictive as anything Chaon has ever written.
It is 1915 when we meet the unfortunate, orphaned twins Eleanor and Bolt, names that swing like clock pendulums (and their cruel surname, Lambkin! How many children had a little stuffed Lambykin doll to cuddle?) Eleanor is clever, self protective and gingery weasel-plain in appearance; the feminine wiles of more delicate girls unavailable to her. Bolt is somewhat easier on the eyes, but needier and slower. They know each other as no one else ever will, able to pop in and out of each other's thoughts at will.
With no adults to care for them, Eleanor and Bolt are easy prey for traveling circus ringmaster Harland Jengling - every name in the book is that perfect, that referential - who swoops them up like a soaring eagle retracting its talons, promising home and a new life. Off he whisks them to striped tents and sticky cotton candy, where they'll meet a boy entirely covered in fur, a girl with a third leg jutting out, a host of other sideshow performers, tiny and gigantic, lumbering grease painted clowns. Their tale unspools, like a tattered, blood red ribbon.
By then, the twins have had a stay with the lone, uniquely odious relative willing to take them in - or just take them, really. As rattling as the circus scenes are, nothing had me more on edge than the passages with their putrid, murderous Uncle Charlie, his vision clouded by alcoholic delirium, his mouth, all black teeth and stench, proclaiming familial love. At times, Chaon manages to make this character as far fetched a buffoon as Daffy Duck, while still maintaining the terror Uncle Charlie creates, the filth dripping off of him. The twins may escape his taloned clutches, but he is never far behind.
I did wonder if he was named as a nod to Hitchcock's Shadow of a Doubt Uncle Charlie, but that serial killer was also a gentleman who cleaned up nicely, the opposite of the vile creature 'takin keer of' Eleanor and Bolt. There is a great amount of referencing to other grim tales of ill fated chillun and misbegotten cirque otherlings - when starting with a title ripped from the 1932 banned movie Freaks, you know the ride you signed up for. The yokel talk also pervades throughout - yee haw, ya pore lil dogies! - occasionally irksome early on, but increasingly fitting as the twins journey on through a battered Midwest of the past.
One of Us frequently delights in its grotesquerie. A scene under a darkened tent with the "trapt" young woman Rosalie and her parasitic twin left me sickened, as if I was stuck on a janky carousel ride. Ugh, I thought, putting down the book, well played, Mr. Chaon, damn it.
It is farcical at times, but it is not a happy story (okay, I snorted as I wrote that - it's like saying the beheading of Anne Boleyn lacks whimsy). The shadows inch in closer, smoking out any tendrils of hope one had for Eleanor and Bolt.
There were times, particularly as we oozed toward the end, where I craved some relief, one mote of clean, unfiltered light. The novel is unrelenting.
Or maybe I need to toughen up. This is the first of Chaon's novels where it was clear he was having a blast, stepping out on the highest of razor thin wires and grinning at the public below. There was some sense of a writer having evil fun with Sleepwalk, his last novel, (which may be my favourite of his works), but this is brazenly going for as many jugulars as he can grab at once - juggling jugulars, this book is creeping through my blood. I needed a long hot shower at the end, but I still can't wash it off, or drown it out - One of us! One of us! Lord have mercy.
I should have mentioned earlier (and read earlier, for that matter!) my thanks for the early copy from a Goodreads/Holt sponsored giveaway. Dan Chaon is a favourite of mine, and I was thrilled to receive the book, if also a wee bit terrified. Both reactions proved correct.
November 29, 2025
Dan Chaon is a compelling storyteller, and here he exercises his considerable gifts to tell just the weirdest but weirdly entertaining story. We’re in the early years of the 20th century, when an orphaned twin brother and sister with an uncanny ability to read each other’s and other people’s thoughts are adopted into a travelling circus cum freak show. (Think Tod Browning’s 1932 cult classic Freaks.) Bolt, the boy, finds himself happily taking to this adoptive family, a cheery and collegial band, but his sister Eleanor lives in a constant fury and refuses to accept her place among them. “We’re normal!” she hisses at her brother. He’s compliant and she’s so domineering that she refuses to let him live a contented life. And if that weren’t bad enough, they’re pursued by an utterly loathsome, murderous con man who is aware of their gifts and will stop at nothing to exploit their talents for his own nefarious ends. Creepily compelling, full of vivid characters and set pieces.
October 13, 2025
Unappealing from the get-go for me. I could summon up no interest in these dark, repellent characters, and I knew I wasn’t going to get on with this. Happily abandoned.
did-not-finish
September 11, 2025I'm marking this one as DNF at 40%. Though the blurb describes ONE OF US as a "playfully macabre and utterly thrilling tale," I found it to be neither. I liked some of the historical fiction aspects around the traveling carnival, but overall it was too slow and lacked the horror vibe I was expecting. Thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss for the opportunity to review this book.
December 7, 2025
One thing about me is Ray Bradbury raised me and Katherine Dunn took me to her sideshow when I was a teen so of course I was going to like this. The average horror reader might not go for this and the average lit fic reader might not go for this and I always worry about books like this just slipping through the cracks. It's such a beautiful, smart heartbreaking story that I really think anyone who loves Tod Brownings Freaks will delight in. I think it also very cleverly addresses within the story the discourse that has surrounded that film for years re: if the actors involved were exploited. Of course I could just have been reading into that but I feel it's there. Honestly every book I was going to say that I love that led me to pick this one up was mentioned in the author's notes so I hope that he's proud he did them all justice because they were shining through. So if like me you like a dark sideshow story, have ever loved the movie Freaks, Geek Love by Katherine Dunn, Ray Bradburys Something Wicked, and the Night Circus (tho be warned the last two are much lighter than this novel as it is indeed a dark story!) you will probably love it as much as I did. It hit the notes of the dark carnival home that forever lives in my heart.
September 11, 2025
(4.5 Stars)
Thank you #NetGalley for making this book available for reading and review.
This was an interesting book, great characters and a good story. The characters all have rich backstories that shine through in the story. Some of them are maybe a little over-the-top, but that is probably to be expected in a story, at least in part, about the Circus. Speaking of the Circus, I was wondering if this was influenced by Katherine Dunn's Brilliant Geek Love, and it was, but not overly so.
The Audiobook was narrated by multiple people (including the author) and everyone was very good.
I did find the pace slightly off. The first 75% of the book seemed to move very slowly, but it was ok because it allowed the many characters to be introduced in memorable ways. Then, the next 20% seemed to speed along at a pace that was out of alignment with the rest of the book. Then the last 5% of the book jumped ahead (a lot)... I thought it was going to tie up some of the loose strings, but it didn't.
Thank you #NetGalley for making this book available for reading and review.
This was an interesting book, great characters and a good story. The characters all have rich backstories that shine through in the story. Some of them are maybe a little over-the-top, but that is probably to be expected in a story, at least in part, about the Circus. Speaking of the Circus, I was wondering if this was influenced by Katherine Dunn's Brilliant Geek Love, and it was, but not overly so.
The Audiobook was narrated by multiple people (including the author) and everyone was very good.
I did find the pace slightly off. The first 75% of the book seemed to move very slowly, but it was ok because it allowed the many characters to be introduced in memorable ways. Then, the next 20% seemed to speed along at a pace that was out of alignment with the rest of the book. Then the last 5% of the book jumped ahead (a lot)... I thought it was going to tie up some of the loose strings, but it didn't.
October 28, 2025
Plucky kids and orphan trains and circus freaks, and 1915 Americana - this one was excellent! A little News of the World, a little We Begin at the End, a little Stephen King's Dr. Sleep. It gave me some Water for Elephants vibes.....but only if the entire circus was in the Upside Down - I'm talking full dark and twisty, with incredible characters (adored all of the freak show performers), and a next-level creepy villain. I had a lot of fun with this one! And I loved how it ended! 🤯
October 27, 2025
This was a weird one that I wanted to like more. The carnival was a neat backdrop, but there were too many partially developed characters, and those who were fully developed were too much like caricatures.
December 19, 2025
Vibrant characters, skillful writing, sad story. This will not be everyone's cup of tea but I enjoyed it.
November 18, 2025
a strange, sad, wonderful book.
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