Review: The Kitchen House
The Kitchen House
Kathleen Grissom
Synopsis: On her way to America from Ireland, 7 year old Lavinia is orphaned. Upon her arrival, the Captain of the ship brings her back to his plantation to work as an indentured servant. He gives Lavinia to his slave, Belle–who lives and works in the kitchen house– to raise.
Rating: PG-15 for some violence (including sexual violence) and generally dark content. Some content might be a little too intense for younger teens, but older teens should be fine.
Sensitivity Warning: Sexual Violence, Domestic Violence
I first read The Kitchen House back in 2019, and it has been a favorite ever since. If you enjoy Slavery Era historical fiction, you NEED to read this one!
One of the best things about this book is its uniqueness. I haven’t read a ton of historical fiction from the pre-civil war era, but I have not heard of another book in this time period that is quiet like this one. I love the twist of the main character being a white woman raised by slaves, only to have to try and figure out where she fits in the white world. It is a constant battle between who Lavinia feels she is, and who the world tells her she must be.
Plot aside, there is SO much here to love. It is a book that makes you love, root for, cry with, and celebrate with the protagonists, and makes you loathe the very existence of the antagonists. You cannot help but be completely emotionally invested in each one of the characters.
The pacing of The Kitchen House is also pure perfection. The book covers a very wide time span, but never once did I feel like the story lagged. The plot keeps you moving constantly, and not a single word is wasted; it is driven by purpose.
When I decided to re-read The Kitchen House, there was a tiny part of me that worried I wouldn’t enjoy it as much the second time. My worries proved to be in vain. I was every bit as engrossed the second time as I was the first! If you haven’t read it yet, you will not be disappointed! This book will take hold of you from the very beginning, and not release you until the last page is finished. Grissom writes with a vividness that can transport you to wherever she wants you to go, and trust me, it’s a ride you want to take.