In this gripping New York Times bestseller, Kathleen Grissom brings to life a thriving plantation in Virginia in the decades before the Civil War, where a dark secret threatens to expose the best and worst in everyone tied to the estate.
Orphaned during her passage from Ireland, young, white Lavinia arrives on the steps of the kitchen house and is placed, as an indentured servant, under the care … servant, under the care of Belle, the master’s illegitimate slave daughter. Lavinia learns to cook, clean, and serve food, while guided by the quiet strength and love of her new family.
In time, Lavinia is accepted into the world of the big house, caring for the master’s opium-addicted wife and befriending his dangerous yet protective son. She attempts to straddle the worlds of the kitchen and big house, but her skin color will forever set her apart from Belle and the other slaves.
Through the unique eyes of Lavinia and Belle, Grissom’s debut novel unfolds in a heartbreaking and ultimately hopeful story of class, race, dignity, deep-buried secrets, and familial bonds.
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I don’t often feel like I want to reread a book. I wanted to reread this one the minute I finished it. I gave it to a friend to enjoy, I couldn’t keep this one to myself.
I read Kitchen House the year it was first published and just recently listened to the audio as I prepared for The Glory Over Eve which I also listened to on Audible.
Masterful writing. Beautiful storytelling. Heart rendering, harsh realities told with grace, absolutely must read or listen!
Talk about a book that will rip your heart out of your chest every other page. I did not want to like it, the pain of it was so tremendous, but how could I not? Despite the tragedy at literally every turn, there was so much love reminding you that above all else, real love will survive. Yes, it was a love story, but not in the romantic sense. It was family and those you love like family until they are your family. It was resilience and perseverance and loyalty. There are characters you grow to love and those you despise. This is a book that makes you feel a spectrum of emotions from page one straight through to the final words. A book whose pages demand to be turned. Although what struck me about that was a book like this usually leaves me longing for more when it’s over, but at the conclusion of “The Kitchen House,” I was so emotionally wrung out, I was relieved to close the cover. I don’t mean this in a bad way, because I was more than satisfied with the ending. I think the profound effect was exactly its point. Sometimes your soul just can’t take anymore.
One of my all time favorite books!!
I loved this book for a variety of reasons. First and probably the most important is that it has a great story. Secondly the author has rich characters that she spends a lot of time developing.
The story has a lot of ups and downs. I found it entertaining and engaging.
I absolutely loved this book! The characterizations are so real that I felt like I was right there with them. Historical fiction at it’s best! An amazing journey that made me yet again feel grateful that I live in a time when all people are treated as equals.
I enjoyed it
Excellent couldn’t put it down.
A truly one of a kind book, written from the females perspective and that kept me turning pages from beginning to end! It’s a one day book!
I can’t say enough about this book. It was a journey that I couldn’t put down…
This is the best book I have ever read. We read it in book club 5 years ago and to this day, still all of our favorites. I own several copies! 🙂
sadly it is a good read about what life was like for slaves in the US before they were freed and able to move into more discrimination
I could not put this book down. I enjoyed the characters. There are some difficult parts (it is about slaves on a southern plantation) but it is worth it. It is the best book I have read this year!!
An amazing read!! I actually listened to it and the narrators were fantastic!! I finished probably a week ago now, and I still think about the characters. I learned a lot and was really transported to the early 1800’s in the southern United States. This book really allowed me to put myself in the position of a slave (as much as you can be at least. I also learned that there are lots of types of slavery, it did and does not necessarily have anything to do with your race. It then led me to the author’s next book “glory over everything”. Also a terrific read!
After finishing The Kitchen House, I’m thankful I did not live during that era, especially if I had been a black slave or “servant” as they were referred to in the book. And those were the kitchen slaves, those who lived in the quarters had it even worse. The man who became the master of the plantation later in the book, had no morals and took whomever he wished as his sexual mate. As I read, I wondered if this might be over exaggerated, but the writer explained she had done tons of research so I have a feeling the writing was accurate to the times.
Even though the moral issues in the book made me upset, I still enjoyed the read, mainly because I love historical fiction. The journey of the main character from indentured servant to mistress of a plantation, keeps the reader engaged and hoping for good to overcome evil whatever the cost.
Loved this book. Good insight of what it was like in the south in the 1800’s..
Without giving any spoilers, I want to review this book and say that I was gripped by the rapid pace, and the vivid characters, until, about 3/4 through, I began to feel like I was awash in TV Tropes: the virtuous heroine who seems to be the only one woke enough to realize that slavery is bad; the vicious, evil Master, with no redeeming qualities; the kindly mammy, and all the virtuous and put-upon slaves, still of good cheer and being our Great White Hope’s cheerleaders. I couldn’t give up on it, though, until I’d finished it. I’d have to say, if you have a choice, read Octavia Butler’s Kindred “Kindred” instead.