The Kitchen House

A Novel

By: Kathleen Grissom

Narrated by: Orlagh Cassidy, Bahni Turpin

Kathleen Grissom, New York Times bestselling author of the highly anticipated Glory Over Everything, established herself as a remarkable new talent with The Kitchen House, now a contemporary classic. In this gripping novel, a dark secret threatens to expose the best and worst in everyone tied to the estate at a thriving plantation in Virginia in the decades before the Civil War.

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 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.

Superb narration

The story is so great but the voices that brought it life where so great also!

Best book I’ve experienced in ages

I cannot say enough how much I recommend this book! The characters are so well described that you know each one intimately and you love them, hate them, laugh at them, feel sorry for them and understand them. I find the history of slavery so disturbing and revolting that I normally stay clear of reading about it. Not anymore. I now want to dive in and research this horrible past.

fascinating but painful story

The narration of this book is excellent. The storyline is unique and well written. the ending is emotionally difficult and I kept longing for a respite from the ugliness hope all of the characters situations. There is resolve, but it's short.

very informative of American history. sad

I struggled to get through the first half but later saw how the second half tied to the beginning. I really liked it

Good summer read

This book pulled me into a time of southern living that described different types of slavery, its abuses, its sometimes joys with poignant, character narratives. This story showed the far reaching dark side of abuse and how all lives are impacted because of it.