My Book B*itches read The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom for our January selection. This novel was published in 2010, yet somehow none of us had read it. My friend, Erica, chose it based off the suggestion of her aunt. Thank goodness she listened! If you’re also unfamiliar with the story, here’s a brief summary from Amazon:

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.

This summary does nothing to convey how attached you will become to all of the characters. Kathleen Grissom’s character development is some of the best I’ve ever read. You will miss Lavinia and company when you finish the book, not to mention mourn with them during the story.

The Kitchen House

Despite lots of sadness, this ended up being one of my favorite books of the past several years. The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom should be required reading for high school students. Yes, some of the subject matters are horrific, but not in a gratuitous manner.

Erica did a fabulous job preparing a feast from the book for us. It was delicious!

Mama Mae’s and Belle’s Recipes

Book B*tches

I hope everyone reads this book! But fair warning: I do not often cry when reading, but I sobbed twice during this novel. Do with that what you will, but I feel it was totally worth it! If you’d like to meet these engaging characters, you can do so here: https://amzn.to/4hD6IHt.

Happy February!