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kilobyyte 's review for:
The Kitchen House
by Kathleen Grissom
I gave this book 4 stars because I like to read books about slavery, civil war and time period settings involving those eras.
Now I do agree with the reviews that gave this book a low rating because some of the issues they had with the story I did as well but the story was more intriguing to me and I wanted to know the end result of the characters.
The beginning of the story was rather slow but I am glad some points were known to the reader right away such as Belle being the daughter of Captain James Pyke so we would not have to suffer through obvious things. The viewpoint from a innocent child turned very naive young adult, Lavinia I did not begin to feel bad for her until the last few chapters when she made the decision that brought her much more pain and suffering than she originally thought. I know the slaves were afraid to speak on certain matters and probably thought best she not know much about what goes on from the big house to the fields, BUT they could have taught her the things that occur and it is not all well and good. The character Mama Mae could have spoken more with her about things but Lavinia was split between two worlds... all the slaves knew for Lavinia she did not have much to worry about once her indenture-ship was over but as for them they will always be slaves... except Belle who was given a chance to have a life outside of Tall Oaks, but like most slaves she really feels some attachment to the place especially being the masters daughter.
This book is filled with tragedy left and right and the last few chapters felt rushed to find a conclusion to what will happen. One character I wish the author eliminated halfway through the book is Miss Martha. She served no purpose its not like she all of a sudden became better and resumed a normal life. I really wanted her to tell Marshall the truth but I am actually glad who he found out the truth from.
Mama Mae is one of the stronger characters in the story and she did not get on my nerves. Belle and Ben being together was strange I haven't' heard in any story about slavery where a married slave committed adultery so that relationship was altogether weird but all they have is each other right?
A few things I wish that was addressed in more detail:
The mention of Marshall's molestation
The disappearance/murder of Mr. Waters the tutor
The mysterious death of Mr. Boran (in which I think Marshall killed)
Now on to the character Marshall..... Lavinia, Lavinia, Lavinia I blame Miss Sarah for not teaching her better she knew good and well Marshall was a drunk and she allowed her to marry the damn fool, nothing good would come of that situation and sadly like the entire book nothing works out as they hope for so Lavinia was more of a slave when she married Marshall than she was when she lived down at the kitchen house.
The story did pick up and there was twists and turns and it became to be too much going on at once but that's what made me not want to put this book down. I wish Belle's narration was longer than a page and a half. The end seemed to somewhat work out for the greater good of all the characters give or take a few, the only thing I wish was added to the story was Lavinia finding someone who actually loved her and she could be with but I guess her daughter was something she had as her own
Now I do agree with the reviews that gave this book a low rating because some of the issues they had with the story I did as well but the story was more intriguing to me and I wanted to know the end result of the characters.
The beginning of the story was rather slow but I am glad some points were known to the reader right away such as Belle being the daughter of Captain James Pyke so we would not have to suffer through obvious things. The viewpoint from a innocent child turned very naive young adult, Lavinia I did not begin to feel bad for her until the last few chapters when she made the decision that brought her much more pain and suffering than she originally thought. I know the slaves were afraid to speak on certain matters and probably thought best she not know much about what goes on from the big house to the fields, BUT they could have taught her the things that occur and it is not all well and good. The character Mama Mae could have spoken more with her about things but Lavinia was split between two worlds... all the slaves knew for Lavinia she did not have much to worry about once her indenture-ship was over but as for them they will always be slaves... except Belle who was given a chance to have a life outside of Tall Oaks, but like most slaves she really feels some attachment to the place especially being the masters daughter.
This book is filled with tragedy left and right and the last few chapters felt rushed to find a conclusion to what will happen. One character I wish the author eliminated halfway through the book is Miss Martha. She served no purpose its not like she all of a sudden became better and resumed a normal life. I really wanted her to tell Marshall the truth but I am actually glad who he found out the truth from.
Mama Mae is one of the stronger characters in the story and she did not get on my nerves. Belle and Ben being together was strange I haven't' heard in any story about slavery where a married slave committed adultery so that relationship was altogether weird but all they have is each other right?
A few things I wish that was addressed in more detail:
The mention of Marshall's molestation
The disappearance/murder of Mr. Waters the tutor
The mysterious death of Mr. Boran (in which I think Marshall killed)
Now on to the character Marshall..... Lavinia, Lavinia, Lavinia I blame Miss Sarah for not teaching her better she knew good and well Marshall was a drunk and she allowed her to marry the damn fool, nothing good would come of that situation and sadly like the entire book nothing works out as they hope for so Lavinia was more of a slave when she married Marshall than she was when she lived down at the kitchen house.
The story did pick up and there was twists and turns and it became to be too much going on at once but that's what made me not want to put this book down. I wish Belle's narration was longer than a page and a half. The end seemed to somewhat work out for the greater good of all the characters give or take a few, the only thing I wish was added to the story was Lavinia finding someone who actually loved her and she could be with but I guess her daughter was something she had as her own