Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
The Kitchen House  By  cover art

The Kitchen House

By: Kathleen Grissom
Narrated by: Orlagh Cassidy, Bahni Turpin
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $17.99

Buy for $17.99

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

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

What listeners say about The Kitchen House

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    2,820
  • 4 Stars
    555
  • 3 Stars
    100
  • 2 Stars
    25
  • 1 Stars
    21
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    2,788
  • 4 Stars
    305
  • 3 Stars
    62
  • 2 Stars
    15
  • 1 Stars
    4
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    2,512
  • 4 Stars
    495
  • 3 Stars
    112
  • 2 Stars
    25
  • 1 Stars
    19

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Narrators are perfect!

Absolutely Loved the voices of these characters. Especially the wisdom of Mama May! I would highly recommend.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Unexpected storyline

I like it because it was unpredictable! Unique read. I was hoping for redemption of some of the characters. I'm excited to read the sequel!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Best performance since Harry Potter!

This story was happy, sad, hopeful and real. The characters and their relationships were so simple but so complex.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Captivating

Beautifully written and read. I started listening to it two days ago and found it hard to stop. Leaves me feeling a profound sadness for each character and their struggles.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Captivating story with amazing narrators

I loved everything about this book. We listened to it on a long road trip and the time just flew by. The narrators make the story come alive. I didn't want it to end!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent Book

I listened to this book within a few days! I enjoyed it very much and few books come along that I like this much.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Beautifully told historical fiction

Lavinia's journey from a small girl from Ireland who lived among the slaves on a Southern Plantation to grow into a free white woman is not simple, nor without heartache. Her story is painstakingly told with beautiful characters who are bold, troubled, loyal and loving. This story is not to be missed. Please listen until the end. The author's note is fantastic!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

LOVED THIS BOOK!

I finished it in 2 days and was sorry it had to end. Very emotional and wonderful characters and narration. Thank you

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I thought it was going to be Irish history...NOT

It is about slavery. I wouldn’t have chosen this book to read because slavery upsets me so much. But I am so glad that I listened.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant and difficult and brilliant

This is a deeply moving story of love - love through damaged hearts, love through pain, love love love. My heart cracked open again and again. Read it now.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!