I am usually excited about reading my book club’s selections but I was especially happy when I read the back cover of The Kitchen House. It is one of those books that I had heard about without hearing anything about, if you know what I mean. But from what I thought I heard I got the feeling that it was going to be a good one. Don’t you just love osmosis?
Here is what the back cover, which I delicately skimmed with the utmost caution (I hate being spoiled), had to say:
When a white servant girl violates the order of plantation society, she unleashes a tragedy that exposes the worst and best in the people she has come to call her family.Orphaned while onboard ship from Ireland, seven-year-old Lavinia arrives on the steps of a tobacco plantation where she is to live and work with the slaves of the kitchen house. Under the care of Belle, the master’s illegitimate daughter, Lavinia becomes deeply bonded to her adopted family, though she is set apart from them by her white skin.
Eventually, Lavinia is accepted into the world of the big house, where the master is absent and the mistress battles opium addiction. Lavinia finds herself perilously straddling two very different worlds. When she is forced to make a choice, loyalties are brought into question, dangerous truths are laid bare, and lives are put at risk.
Doesn’t that sound good? Jennifer from The Literate Housewife Review wrote a review which perfectly sums up what piqued my interest about The Kitchen House.
Just when I thought that there were [sic] new stories to tell about plantation life in Antebellum South, Kathleen Grissom has given us something unique with her first novel. She gives her readers a look at that life through the eyes of an indentured servant. I couldn’t help putting myself in Lavinia’s place, feeling her deep need for finding a home and understanding her inability to see and accept that one race of people is lesser than another.
I love that this novel is going to be offering a different perspective on a time in United States history that is marked by tragedy and cruelty. Jennifer also notes that this will be a great book for a book club discussion. I am looking forward to the discussion next Tuesday.
Have you heard about or has your book club discussed The Kitchen House? I have so far only read great things about this book and author Kathleen Grissom.
Other reviews and posts:
I hope you like it, since I’ll be reading it shortly after you send it back to me!
.-= Jen – Devourer of Books´s last blog ..31 Bond Street by Ellen Horan – Book Review =-.
I think you will really like it from what I have read so far. I am so into it and I love so much about it! If it continues, then this one will be a stand out for me.
Jennifer’s review was excellent, and in fact all of the reviews I read on this book were good. Your book club has got it all going on!
.-= Sandy´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday: Maui #12 =-.
We have read some really good ones this year, and I have to say that I am loving this book. I cannot wait to see what happens.
I seriously loved this book! It leaves so much open for discussion. Enjoy!
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..REVIEW – Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen =-.
I am so glad to hear that. From what I have read so far it seem fabulous. Glad to know that will hold throughout the book.
Sounds like a book that will bring forward a lot of good discussion points with your book club. I look forward to hearing what they all thought of the book.
Sounds like a good book that will generate lots of discussion and food for thought. I look forward to your post on it and the book club meeting. Enjoy
Please count me in if I’m not too late. This really was a wonderful read.
.-= Literate Housewife´s last blog ..(Hopefully) My Best Move Ever =-.
I’m looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this one. My mother and her friends just loved it, while I was a bit lukewarm. In retrospect, it was probably better than I initially have it credit for….it came on the heels of another really good read and suffered from that comparison disadvantage.
.-= Michele´s last blog ..Ugh….Holiday Weekends =-.
I’m looking forward to seeing what your book club thinks of this one. I’d love to read it!
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..Library (Book Sale) Loot =-.
Ooh…this does sound good!
.-= J.T. Oldfield´s last blog ..Ophelia Joined the Group Maidens Who Don’t Float by Sarah Schmelling =-.