The Kitchen House: A NovelKathleen 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. |
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Page 28
... talk with Belle. I fell asleep, comforted by their soft, low voices. Baby Henry died that night. In the early morning Papa George came with a small board over which Mama and Belle fashioned a small pallet. Dory stood near the door ...
... talk with Belle. I fell asleep, comforted by their soft, low voices. Baby Henry died that night. In the early morning Papa George came with a small board over which Mama and Belle fashioned a small pallet. Dory stood near the door ...
Page 29
... talk to Mama. Abinia, you got to talk. Don't you go away like this. You talk to Mama. You tell her what the trouble is.” I tried to pull away, needing the force of motion to still the nausea, but Mama took my rocking self to her lap ...
... talk to Mama. Abinia, you got to talk. Don't you go away like this. You talk to Mama. You tell her what the trouble is.” I tried to pull away, needing the force of motion to still the nausea, but Mama took my rocking self to her lap ...
Page 31
... talking about him. Since her day of remembering, it's hard to believe the change in that chil', though she's still like a mouse, skittery and scared of the world. She makes a big thing of doing her chores, and when she's done, she ...
... talking about him. Since her day of remembering, it's hard to believe the change in that chil', though she's still like a mouse, skittery and scared of the world. She makes a big thing of doing her chores, and when she's done, she ...
Page 37
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Page 39
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Common terms and phrases
afternoon asked baby Henry barn Beattie Beattie’s began Belle Belle’s Ben’s big house blue room Boran called Campbell can’t cap’n captain carriage chair chil child comes daddy dance dark didn’t door Dory Dory’s Eddy Elly eyes face Fanny Fanny’s felt gave girl gonna hair hand he’s head heard horse Jamie Jamie’s Jimmy kitchen house knew laudanum laughed Lavinia leave looked Lucy Madden Mama and Papa Mama Mae Mama says Mama’s marry Marshall’s Masta Marshall Meg’s Miss Martha Miss Sarah morning mother night nodded Papa George pulled Pyke quarters Rankin Sally she’s shook sleep smile spoke stared stay Stephens stood stop Sukey sure surprised talk Tall Oaks tell there’s thought told took turned twins Uncle Jacob voice wait walked watched What’s whispered Will’s Williamsburg woman wondered