The Kitchen House

A Novel

De: Kathleen Grissom

Narrado por: Orlagh Cassidy, Bahni Turpin

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.

©2010 Kathleen Grissom (P)2017 Simon & Schuster

Superb narration

The story is so great but the voices that brought it life where so great also!

Best book I’ve experienced in ages

I cannot say enough how much I recommend this book! The characters are so well described that you know each one intimately and you love them, hate them, laugh at them, feel sorry for them and understand them. I find the history of slavery so disturbing and revolting that I normally stay clear of reading about it. Not anymore. I now want to dive in and research this horrible past.

fascinating but painful story

The narration of this book is excellent. The storyline is unique and well written. the ending is emotionally difficult and I kept longing for a respite from the ugliness hope all of the characters situations. There is resolve, but it's short.

Wonderful story

This had to have been difficult for the author to write. The story unfolds the history of our ancestors, sometimes difficult to face. Well written, well narrated.

So good!

I felt like I knew the characters, loved this book! Couldn't wait to finish it.

Moving story - Beautifully written

I laughed, I cried, I got mad as hell and I felt for everyone of these characters. it was like I was next to them the whole way. One of my favorite reads even if it was hard at times. Great narration by one of my favorites as well.

Great read

I really loved the narration. Beautifully written and the narration added to it so perfectly.

Excellent!

The writing, the performance, the story line were fantastic & realistic. Riveting once you start- a true portrayal of our US history

so beautiful yet tragic

loved this story it was beautifully tragic . I would listen to it again. excellent

very informative of American history. sad

I struggled to get through the first half but later saw how the second half tied to the beginning. I really liked it