The Kitchen House: A Nove [B0612]

2010 PB. 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.

From recent Amazon/GoodReads reviews: "Wow! This is by far my favorite read this year. I loved being immersed in this story and following the family through their years of struggle and joy."; "This book was very complex. It is very believable and I am sure many suffered in similar ways. it was tragic and painful to read, but it also is a learning experience. This one will stay with me."; "Timely reminders of what cruelty and disregard for all people once was like in our country. A tragic story of slavery and fear."