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 6
... night I slept on a pallet in a corner of Belle's upstairs room. On the second night, unable to sleep, I went to stand at Belle's bedside, comforted by the sound of her soft night breathing. I must have frightened her, for when she woke ...
... night I slept on a pallet in a corner of Belle's upstairs room. On the second night, unable to sleep, I went to stand at Belle's bedside, comforted by the sound of her soft night breathing. I must have frightened her, for when she woke ...
Page 12
... night sky. I flew to Mama's side. Fanny and Beattie scrambled to their feet and ran to the man, who scooped them up. “Papa!” they cried. After he released them, they went back to their play, and with Mama's encouragement, I joined them ...
... night sky. I flew to Mama's side. Fanny and Beattie scrambled to their feet and ran to the man, who scooped them up. “Papa!” they cried. After he released them, they went back to their play, and with Mama's encouragement, I joined them ...
Page 14
... night braid was undone. Mama Mae pulled Belle inside before she and Dory rushed out. Belle leaned against the wall, panting, then straightened herself before walking over to the table, where she sat across from Papa. Belle said, “She ...
... night braid was undone. Mama Mae pulled Belle inside before she and Dory rushed out. Belle leaned against the wall, panting, then straightened herself before walking over to the table, where she sat across from Papa. Belle said, “She ...
Page 16
... night she scares me, sitting there in the dark, looking off. 'Course, the cap'n is known for this, coming and going, telling nobody nothing. That's the way he always is, says Mama. She is right, 'cause I know what she knows. When I was ...
... night she scares me, sitting there in the dark, looking off. 'Course, the cap'n is known for this, coming and going, telling nobody nothing. That's the way he always is, says Mama. She is right, 'cause I know what she knows. When I was ...
Page 24
... night all I know to do is keep the flies away when I watch my mama die. When that old masta sell me, he say I'm good for nothin' but the fields. And that's where I grow up, workin' hard, right 'longside Ida, until old Mrs. Pyke call me ...
... night all I know to do is keep the flies away when I watch my mama die. When that old masta sell me, he say I'm good for nothin' but the fields. And that's where I grow up, workin' hard, right 'longside Ida, until old Mrs. Pyke call me ...
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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