The Kitchen House: A Must-Read Novel by Kathleen Grissom | Historical Fiction Book Review
The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom is a gripping and heart-wrenching novel that will leave readers with a newfound appreciation for freedom. This saga of the Antebellum South focuses on an Irish orphan, Lavinia, who is taken in by the kitchen house slaves of a Virginia plantation. With an incredibly well-developed plot, richly detailed characters, and an insightful perspective on slavery, The Kitchen House is sure to touch readers in profound ways.
The story follows Lavinia as she navigates her new life with the slaves of the kitchen house and finds herself torn between two worlds. On one hand, she feels an affinity for the people she has grown up among and yet, she can never truly be part of their world because of her white skin. On the other hand, she cannot escape her status as a servant in the big house. Through this complex narrative, Grissom explores topics such as race, class, identity and power dynamics in a captivating way.
Readers are sure to be mesmerized by Grissom’s vivid description of life on the plantation as well as her riveting storytelling. The Kitchen House is an emotionally charged page-turner that will leave you wanting more. If you’re looking for an engaging read that will make you think about these important themes of history, then The Kitchen House is definitely worth checking out!