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 21
... 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 plunked the chicken on the wood ...
... 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 plunked the chicken on the wood ...
Page 28
... walked down past the barn and into the woods. Snow was falling, draping a clean sheet of silent white. Mama Mae watched them leave before she came back to Papa George. She placed baby Henry on the pallet, and together, using a long ...
... walked down past the barn and into the woods. Snow was falling, draping a clean sheet of silent white. Mama Mae watched them leave before she came back to Papa George. She placed baby Henry on the pallet, and together, using a long ...
Page 37
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Page 55
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Page 57
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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