I love historical fiction—you learn about different eras, cultures and places, while you enjoy a good story. This is so true for The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom. Reading this book, brings to life the relationships between slave families—big house workers and field workers, between plantation owners and their wives and children, as well as how whites and slaves related to each other. The story is narrated by both Lavinia, an Irish 7 year-old orphan girl, and by Belle, daughter of the plantation owner and a slave. In 1790, Lavinia becomes an indentured servant, and she is placed to work in the kitchen house with Belle.
So many things occur as the story unfolds, that it is hard to put the book down. Mama Mae seems to hold everyone together, always reminding the characters of their place and providing her wisdom throughout the story.
Our book club met at The Blu Fig Restaurant in Stony Point and it proved to be a great setting for our discussion. The food was very good and we were given a semi-private space for our meeting.
If you haven’t read the story, mostly everyone in our club liked it, and recommends it.
It’s Kathleen Grissom’s first novel, but you can tell she researched it well and brought the characters to life. I was sorry to see the story end. 'Looking forward to a sequel.
Happy reading!! --Lourdes
Lourdes - What a wonderful story, I loved The Kitchen House. Mamma Mae was my favorite character, her wisdom about families is what touched me the most, and living each day for it's fullest, counting one's blessings. Thank you for finding such a great story, and a wonderful restaurant too! XXOO Robin
ReplyDeleteHello Bookworms,
ReplyDeleteGreat book. I really enjoyed listening to this one. There were lots of unexpected events. I never thought Lavinia would marry Marshall, but I suppose it was her only way back to the house and her security for the future. I enjoyed Lavina's point of view regarding her experiences with the slaves. I thought she had a huge connection to them as her family even though they were not. It goes to prove that skin color should not get in the way of relationships but sadly enough it still does.
I loved the BluFig atmosphere and the food. We should consider this again.
Thanks Lourdes for being a great host and for picking a winner.
Love to all,
Maria R.
Hi Lourdes and my fellow hookworms,
ReplyDeleteThank you Lourdes for hosting and choosing an excellent book. I really enjoyed it. It surely was a page turner. Like Robin, my favorite character was mamma Mae. She had such strength, compassion and wisdom. I also couldn't help feeling sorry for Marshall. It was so sad that his childhood experience shaped the evil man he became. It made me think about some of the students we work with and their traumatic experiences. I can only pray that God will provide restoration and his loving grace, so as to they aren't affected negatively in their adult lives.
Till next month!
Mary