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. |
From inside the book
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Page 4
... took me in. I was comforted to see that she was not as foreign-looking as the man who had brought me to her, for though her light brown skin still differed from mine, her facial features more resembled my own. Uncle Jacob spoke. “The ...
... took me in. I was comforted to see that she was not as foreign-looking as the man who had brought me to her, for though her light brown skin still differed from mine, her facial features more resembled my own. Uncle Jacob spoke. “The ...
Page 21
... took the chicken from Papa and walked to the back of the coop. The three of us followed as Papa and Mama Mae began to argue. “This has got to stop,” hissed Mama. “They needs the salt,” Papa said. He left then, and Mama Mae furiously ...
... took the chicken from Papa and walked to the back of the coop. The three of us followed as Papa and Mama Mae began to argue. “This has got to stop,” hissed Mama. “They needs the salt,” Papa said. He left then, and Mama Mae furiously ...
Page 23
... took a large wooden paddle to stir the cornmeal again, I caught a pleasant waft of the salty smell of pork, but I was surprised to see her stir up a piece of board from the bottom. She looked about carefully before removing it, then ...
... took a large wooden paddle to stir the cornmeal again, I caught a pleasant waft of the salty smell of pork, but I was surprised to see her stir up a piece of board from the bottom. She looked about carefully before removing it, then ...
Page 27
... took baby Henry from a reluctant Dory. “Go on,” she said, “he gonna sleep now.” After Dory left, Mama showed Uncle Jacob the baby's swollen hands and feet. He shook his head. “He not gonna be here long,” he said. “This be hard on Dory ...
... took baby Henry from a reluctant Dory. “Go on,” she said, “he gonna sleep now.” After Dory left, Mama showed Uncle Jacob the baby's swollen hands and feet. He shook his head. “He not gonna be here long,” he said. “This be hard on Dory ...
Page 28
... took notice of the three of us, the twins were sent home, and I was sent upstairs to sleep. After Uncle left, Mama Mae stayed with the baby and sat beside the fire to talk with Belle. I fell asleep, comforted by their soft, low voices ...
... took notice of the three of us, the twins were sent home, and I was sent upstairs to sleep. After Uncle left, Mama Mae stayed with the baby and sat beside the fire to talk with Belle. I fell asleep, comforted by their soft, low voices ...
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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