Orphaned while onboard ship from Ireland, seven-year-old Lavinia arrives on the steps of a tobacco plantation where she is to live and work with the slaves of the kitchen house. Under the care of Belle, the master’s illegitimate daughter, Lavinia becomes deeply bonded to her adopted family, though she is set apart from them by her white skin. Eventually, Lavinia is accepted into the world of the big house, where the master is absent and the mistress battles opium addiction. Lavinia finds herself perilously straddling two very different worlds. When she is forced to make a choice, loyalties are brought into question, dangerous truths are laid bare, and lives are put at risk.
The Kitchen House is a tragic story of page-turning suspense, exploring the meaning of family, where love and loyalty prevail.
Meet the Author: Born and raised in Saskatchewan, Kathleen Grissom is now happily rooted in south-side Virginia, where she and her husband live in the plantation tavern they renovated. The Kitchen House is her first novel.
My Review:
Favorite Character(s): How can I have just one favorite character with this book? I can't. I loved Lavinia, Belle, Mama, Papa, Uncle Jacob, Ben, and Will. Belle is just a like a mother to Lavinia and a big sister to everyone else. She is the Captain's daughter and when his mother passes away is forced to move out of the Big House and going the slaves at the Kitchen House. Mama, Papa, Ben, and Uncle Jacob always put everyone else first and were so thoughtful. They also were so smart and knew what to say to their owners (Captain and later Marshall). They knew everything that was going on too. Will was the good master, who respected people regardless of color. A true gentleman!
Characters I didn't like....Captain, Marshall, and Rankin. I really liked Captain at the beginning and what he did for Lavinia, but I came to not like him when he continued to do the wrong thing or not stand up and do the right thing. He seemed weak overall to me. Marshall and Rankin....I can't say or I will give the whole book away....you will know exactly why I don't like them when you read the book. Just remembered the Tutor too....that man should have been punished.
Setting: LOVED it. I usually really enjoy stories set in this time period. The hero(s) are so strong. I could picture the plantation, the Big House and the Kitchen House as if I had been there before. Bravo to author Kathleen Grissom for writing so clearly that I felt I was right there with them all going through their struggles. The characters and setting just make The Kitchen House so great.
Fast read/slow read: Super fast read from the start! Hooked from the first chapter.
Cover: I like it, but look at these other covers I found. I really like them too.
One (or more) Sentence Summary: The Kitchen House is the 1790's version of The Help plus Uncle Tom's Cabin. Honestly, I couldn't get enough. I absolutely loved the characters, the setting, the story (lots of twists and unpredictable events), everything. I am having huge withdrawals. I want more! Another amazing selection by my ROC book club! The Kitchen House is going on my "Top Favorite Books" list! I loved it that much.
Would I Read Other Books by the Author: Yes, absolutely, anytime, any day! LOVED her!
Meet the Author: Born and raised in Saskatchewan, Kathleen Grissom is now happily rooted in south-side Virginia, where she and her husband live in the plantation tavern they renovated. The Kitchen House is her first novel.
Purchase it: You can purchase The Kitchen House online at Amazon for $16.00 ($9.35 Kindle version). It will be worth every cent.
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