Home But Alone No More: A Memoir From the Owner of the House That Made Movie History

by John Abendshien, Julia Hagen (Illustrator)

In this captivating account, author John Abendshien tells the story of how he and his family resided in what became one of American cinema’s most iconic houses during the filming of the classic Christmas movie Home Alone. John takes you into all the backstories behind the scenes—how the location was chosen, what it was like when a Hollywood production invaded his home, how certain scenes were filmed, and how some of those crazy stunts didn’t always go as planned.

Abendshien thought that once filming ended, life would go back to normal, but then the movie exploded into a global phenomenon. Suddenly his home became a magnet for tourists, sightseers, fans—and it never stopped. John describes his personal journey through this experience and how, in the end, the Home Alone home wasn’t just his house anymore—it was everyone’s home. And when you’re part of something this big, you’re never really “home alone.”

176 pages, Paperback

Published August 28, 2025

Reviews

[Christina Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve always wanted to know what it was like living in such a beautiful piece of movie history and now I know. Such a great book with fun stories and reflection!

[Marcia Friesen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved reading this story of the Home Alone house and the family that lived there. Felt like I was having coffee with the author. I Can’t wait to watch the movie again as it has become one of our family’s tradition! And to see the author and hear him speak here in our community will be extra special.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read! We all adore the movie, but getting the story behind the making of the movie with this first hand account was great! And the illustrations added so much - they really brought the story to life in a lovely, classic Christmas story way! I am so glad the author chose to have an amazing local artist paint the cover art and do illustrations - it made the book much more interesting than just using photos.
The book and illustrations added a whole new layer to the amazing Home Alone holiday story! Having lived in a nearby suburb to this house for decades and taken so many people by it, it was wonderful to finally get the owner’s story! Loved it! Got it for all of my adult kids! My husband read it in one night! We all loved this book!!!! Highly recommend it!

[Erin M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this behind the scenes experience of what it was like for the homeowner to have Home Alone filmed in his house. It was so neat to read about the various filming locations throughout their town-filming in a real house and their charming town really added to the experience of the movie. I also enjoyed hearing about the creativity that went into some of the effects and shots since CGI wasn’t advanced or as accessible in the 90s as it is today.

[Jennifer Wilder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started as a 5 star, especially for the first half of the book. All the behind the scenes tidbits and how the homeowners life was turned upside down for filming was an interesting read. In my opinion especially in the back half there was just too much fluff. Info we didn’t really need in the book and almost felt like he was just trying to make it longer.
However it was still an interesting read and I’ll be watching Home alone differently knowing this behind the scene info!

[Alana Koontz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Home Alone is one of my favorite movies, and this is a quick, cute little tell-all of the family that lived in the famous house during filming. I loved the behind the scenes look at the scenes, actors and how the house was chosen. A lovely fast holiday read!

[Leandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun look into the behind-the-scenes of Home Alone!

[Pat Steen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book!
A fairly easy read with good insight into the famous home - including looks into the filming of the movie and interactions with the cast.

[Avree Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what an incredibly fun read! I'm sorry it's over!
I loved learning everything about the famous home's origins and exactly how the producers and set designers transformed the house into what we see in the movie . . . essentially like Christmas had thrown up. It was fascinating to learn what parts of the house were created specifically for the movie and how they filmed some of the more destructive scenes.
I cannot believe they did not change the actual street number and name for the movie, causing the new owners of the house to be subjected to living in a fish bowl for decades. This story would probably not exist had the family not insisted on living in the master bedroom, turned apartment, for the duration of the filming. And wait until you find out how much they were paid for use of the home!
I loved the endless stories of those seeking to visit the home after the movie's release and what all happened during some of the more entertaining interactions. It seems people did not understand that it was someone's actual private property, so let's just say some hilarious, yet annoying, high jinks ensued.
I, in particular, enjoyed the story of how John, the owner, royally ruined a particular scene, with one of the crew saying, "Hey, Mr. A., you just fabulously f#&%ed up our shoot!" YIKES! I'll definitely be looking for the evidence upon rewatching this one. Haha.
I also got a chuckle out of how and why Joe Pesci created his own curses akin to Yosemite Sam during the filming.
This book will answer some of your most burning questions about the film, and some you didn't know you had, such as . . .
-Who was Buzz's girlfriend in the photo Kevin smashes?
-Did Kevin perform his own stunts, such as sledding down the stairs?
-Was a house really flooded by the wet bandits?
-Did Marv really step on a nail and glass ornaments in bare feet?
-Did anyone really get injured by the paint cans?
-Was that a real tarantula on Marv? And was that scream really his?
-What scar did Macaulay proudly walk away with from filming and how did it happen?
-How exactly did they film the van nearly hitting Kevin?!
-Is the movie Angels with Filthy Souls a real film?
-What act did Macaulay do that made it into the film but was not okayed by the owners?
-What scenes were ad-libbed but made it into the film as is, creating movie history?
-What was used for snow that stunk up the set for days?
-Did the lawn jockey come with the house?
-What other famous Christmas movie was the Home Alone house nearly used for first before it fell through?
I'm telling you, this was such a quick read where you'll find yourself smiling and laughing throughout and reacting to the very real details of the behind-the-scenes! Read it and thank me later. ;)

[Jennifer Dane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a quick and fascinating read. I absolutely loved the behind-the-scenes insight into the house, the family, and the real history that most fans never get to hear. It adds so much depth, warmth, and humanity to something that already feels iconic.

Read the book, rewatched the movie, and somehow loved both even more. The surprise celebrity moment in the book was unexpected and delightful, and the wallpaper had me laughing during the rewatch because of the context the book gave it.

This felt thoughtful, generous, and genuinely appreciative of the fans, a refreshing contrast to the Breaking Bad house owners approach. It left me wanting more in the best way. I would happily read an entire collection of stories like this, personal, honest, and rooted in real history that brings familiar places and films to life in a whole new way.

[Megan Laurine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Home Alone is my all-time favorite Christmas movie. I know every line, I’ve watched it thousands of times, and I still even have the VHS. It’s the one movie that can instantly put pure excitement on my face the second it comes on. That’s why this memoir felt so nostalgic and special to read.

Even after obsessively rewatching the movie for years, I never would’ve guessed that a family was actually living in the house during filming. Learning all the behind-the-scenes details was such a fun surprise and made me love the movie even more.

Overall, this book is a light, enjoyable Christmas read that adds a whole new layer of charm to a classic I already adore. A must-read for any Home Alone fan.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book as I worked in Winnetka at the time this movie was being filmed. The crew was set up next to where I worked and I couldn’t believe the kid with the ratty jacket was the star of the movie. There were so many things he describes in this book I saw first hand. I read it with a smile on my face and at time tears in my eyes. The movie meant so much to do many people, I didn’t realize Siskal, Ebert and others panned it but later back pedaled their reviews. Read this book in a couple of hours, it was a short book.

[J. L. Linn · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you loved Home Alone, this is a must read. I loved reading the stories from the making of the film and the experiences of the homeowners living in the Home Alone house. You really get a peek behind the scenes. I was so wrapped up I read it in a day. The house has become its own type of movie star, and oh, the stories those walls could tell! Definitely perfect for any Home Alone fan. Highly recommend!

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A *memoir* about a *movie house,* and that movie is *Home Alone*? This is my ideal subject to read about. Abendshien's positive/celebratory attitude about owning the house is refreshing, given how some movie landmarks are held down by (understandably but unfortunately) unwelcoming occupants.

Now... who wants to go to Winnetka with me?

[Joni Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and finished it in one setting. Although I live in a Chicago suburb, I’ve never been to the house. Perhaps I’ll take that drive this Christmas season. Interestingly enough, I just went to the Breaking Bad house in Albuquerque last month. Those who read the book will get that. 😂

[Teodor Todorov · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolute jem!

I never knew this book existed until I got it as a Christmas present. It provides such a unique perspective from a point of view I never expected, the home owner.

An overal amazing read, which I hoped had more pages to it. The magic of Home Alone lives inside this book and I can't recommend it more.

[Benjamin Russak · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book definitely has some interesting stories. If you like Home Alone, it’s worth a read. However, you can definitely tell the author used ChatGPT to write many parts of the book. Every other sentence is em dashes and weirdly corny analogies.

[Katherine Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently saw an interview with the author on tv about this book. Since I love the movie and really, really love the house, I decided to order the book. It's a little repetitive, but a good read about the family that lived in the Home Alone house.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Home Alone (and Home Alone 2) have officially taken the #1 & #2 spots in my Christmas movie rankings, so I had to read the owner’s (at the time) memoir. So interesting! Well worth the read, especially if you love Home Alone!

[Resham Sheth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Every fan of the movie Home Alone should read this beautiful memoir. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Emma Siewert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gem of a book.

[Amy Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting for a movie locations nut! Made watching the movie afterwards even more fun trying to find the things the author mentioned regarding the scenes/locations.

[Cooper Fossum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Personal Anecdotes from the author (& owner of the home) make the connection to the house and movie even stronger.