A review by jenniferspainter
The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom

3.0

All the reviews that I have read on this book have been great so I was expecting a wonderful story that was sad, but hopeful. Hmmm...I didn't get what I wanted. Instead, this is a book that is truly heartwrenching and at times downright depressing. The story kept me involved so I wanted to finish the book, but I could not identify or understand Lavinia's character and how, at times, she could be so spineless and clueless. I did fall in love with all the rest of the characters, especially Mama and I love the genteel Southern plantation picture that this book painted. I know that stories like this probably happened many times in the South before the civil war but it is very difficult to read of the hopelessness and sheer evil that might have existed. It is a decent book, but if you are looking to be uplifted by a nice story set on a plantation in the South...this is not the book for you.