In 1791 slaves were not all from Africa. This small historical fact isn’t commonly known, and it is what makes  “The Kitchen House,” stand out.  Lavinia, a 7-year-old girl, travelling to America with her parents is  orphaned when both parents die on the way to a better life from Ireland.  The boat’s owner Capt. James Pyke takes her  home to work in the kitchen as an indentured servant to pay-off the entire family’s fare for the trip.

After arriving at his tobacco plantation in Tidewater, Virginia, Lavinia is given to Belle, the Captain’s  illegitimate, half-white, daughter to raise in the kitchen and taught to cook and clean until she is 18 when she will regain her freedom.

Although the Captain is kind, he is still a slave owner.  He hired a man to oversee the slaves that work the land named Rankin.  Rankin is everything you expect him to be –  the worst of mankind.  As you read the story you feel the slaves hopelessness at their situation, but you also see how they tried to cope and make the best of a horrible situation.

The house slaves were treated better than the plantation slaves.  The house slaves cooked, cleaned and took care of the children.  Rankin wasn’t allowed to interfere with the  house slaves, but they were still slaves.

The Captain’s wife, Miss Martha, lives in an opium induced reality – the valium of the day.  The Captain does care for Belle, his  illegitimate child, and his affections are mistaken by  both his wife and son.  They think Belle is his mistress.  The Captain is unaware of his wife and son’ s belief.

Illness befalls the Pykes, and death also.  The Captain’s only surviving  legitimate child, Marshall, will inherit the plantation and everything and
everyone in it.  Marshall lacked the kindness of his father, growing up confused about so many things.

Miss Martha’s sister brings her and Lavinia to Williamsburg to help treat her sister better in a hospital.  The Maddens welcome Lavinia and she strikes
up a friendship with their daughter Meg. The Maddens also have their nephew, Marshall come from school on Saturday  for dinner.  Marshall honors his uncle and behaves wonderfully as he courts Lavinia.

Marshall and Lavinia marry and return to Tall Oaks.  From this point the  story takes a very dark turn.  Of course, you know that Lavinia should never have married Marshall, she grew up with him  and knew what he was like.

My main complaint with the book it that it ends too fast, like the author was running out of time.

I think this book is good for book clubs because it touches on the fact that slaves were from all races, and it  really lets you imagine for one moment how horrible life was and still is for slaves.

Rating:
7.5