The Kitchen House

Book Review: The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grisson Have you ever read a book that is so captivating and interesting that you get attached to the characters and actually worry about them while you're not reading? This has been one of those books for me. Anytime I didn't have the book in my hand I found myself wondering about their well-being and what might be happening while I was away. This historical fiction is set in slavery days (1780-1810) and spans the life of the main characters, Lavinia and Belle. Lavinia comes to the United States from Ireland and her parents die on the ship. She is sold as an indentured servant. Belle is the slave who raises her as her own child. The two women take turns narrating the story from their perspective. The book explores topics like isolation, freedom and family. There are some harsh realities that are shared about their lives and they make you question humanity at times. It's a time period I struggle to understand; man's inhumanity to man. I don't know how people could be so cruel to each other. It was a fascinating book, suspenseful, heart-breaking, funny, insightful, sad and delightful all wrapped into one.