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The Kitchen House
The Kitchen House
Author: Kathleen Grissom
When a white servant girl violates the order of plantation society, she unleashes a tragedy that exposes the worst and best in the people she has come to call her family.
— Orphaned while onboard ship from Ireland, seven-year-old Lavinia arrives on the steps of a tobacco plantation where she is to...  more »
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ISBN-13: 9781439153666
ISBN-10: 1439153663
Publication Date: 2/2/2010
Pages: 384
Edition: Original
Rating:
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 421

4.1 stars, based on 421 ratings
Publisher: Touchstone
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

orchid7 avatar reviewed The Kitchen House on + 266 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 10
A very well-written book. Intriguing, but dark. I was immediately drawn into the characters' lives. I really liked how the author uses two different voices to tell the story, because it gives the reader a more well-rounded viewpoint.

The actual subject matter of the book itself was rather depressing, but I couldn't tear myself away from it. I would definitely read another novel written by this author.
AZmom875 avatar reviewed The Kitchen House on + 624 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 10
What stuck with most about this book was the overwhelming frustration, and powerlessness of the characters, whether, white or black, slave, indentured or free, the women and men of this story were at the mercy of some dark, cruel men.

Right from page one you know that Lavina, comes to the house to find it burned down and someone is dead, and Lavina's 7 year old daughter is with her. But you are compelled to read the story to find out who fathers this child, cause there are a few possible outcomes. For that reason you will keep reading to find out who, and what and why, and when. You just cant stop reading until you know.
reviewed The Kitchen House on + 3149 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
Before starting this book go to the back and read the author's note, I almost put it down after 50 pages but instead the pages just kept turning until I was engrossed in the story of plantation life about the slaves and their owners. Very well written.
bellasgranny avatar reviewed The Kitchen House on + 468 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
I absolutely loved this book and couldn't put it down. A completely engrossing read that takes place in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Told in the alternating voices of an Irish indentured servant and the daughter of a slave and her white master. I was immediately pulled into the story, and became immediatley invested in the lives of the many characters who come to life so vividly on the page. Very accomplished debut effort which I highly recommend.
bookzealot avatar reviewed The Kitchen House on
Helpful Score: 4
This is a disturbing but riveting book that provides a unique perspective on the relationship between white indentured servants and black slaves, while also highlighting the cruelties and horrors of slavery. And it shows how one's sense of family crosses color lines -- and what an impossible situation that is in late 18th c. Virginia. In general, I thought the book was excellent -- well worth reading, but be prepared for heartbreak and despair.
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smileen avatar reviewed The Kitchen House on + 266 more book reviews
Had to wipe a tear at the end of this one! Lavinia becomes an orphan on passage from Ireland to the United States back in the 1700's. A plantation owner brings her back home with him, and she is thrust among all the slaves that work for him. They raise her, and she is part of their family, more so than his. I did end up drawing up a family tree at first, because there were a lot of characters in this book. They all were well written and had their own story. Boy, would I love to cast this movie!!
reviewed The Kitchen House on + 19 more book reviews
This is a very interesting book about the South and slavery and indentured servitude. The author is very good at creating an environment and the story moves along at a fairly good clip. While the details are not too pronounced it does deal with incest and rape, but not in a graphic manner that is difficult to read. Grissom moves from perspective to perspective of each individual but the story is cohesive and engaging. It also appears to be well researched and is a good read. I recommend it.
pj-s-bookcorner avatar reviewed The Kitchen House on + 885 more book reviews
When a young girl and her family journey from Ireland to the United States in the 1790's only to have both parents die aboard ship, she finds herself taken to a Virginia plantation where she becomes an indentured servant. Lavinia's life takes on many trials and heartbreaks. At times the story is hard to read with it's description of slave conditions, etc. but it's a story of love and hope and family.
smileen avatar reviewed The Kitchen House on + 266 more book reviews
Had to wipe a tear at the end of this one! Lavinia becomes an orphan on passage from Ireland to the United States back in the 1700's. A plantation owner brings her back home with him, and she is thrust among all the slaves that work for him. They raise her, and she is part of their family, more so than his. I did end up drawing up a family tree at first, because there were a lot of characters in this book. They all were well written and had their own story. Boy, would I love to cast this movie!!


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