• Literary Speaking •
The Kitchen House
Review by Dana Schmidt, Yankton Community Library
This story is set in the late 1800’s
in Virginia. James Pyke, a ship
captain, brings home a pale,
sickly, and silent seven-yearold Lavinia after her parents
die on his ship on the way to
America from Ireland. Lavinia
is to become an indentured
servant on his plantation.
Lavinia is given to Belle, a
slave in the Pyke’s kitchen
house. Belle automatically
resents this sick pathetic child until Mama Mae, a
house slave, steps in to nurse Lavinia back to health and teaches Belle
compassion for this innocent child.
As Lavinia grows stronger, she recalls seeing the bodies of her
parents being dumped into the sea. She begins to speak again and
eventually begins to feel safe in this strange new world. She makes
friends with Fanny and Beattie, the twin daughters of Mama Mae
and Papa George. She is accepted and loved by this new patchwork
family of house slaves. Belle and Mama Mae become like mothers to
her, Fanny and Beattie her sisters, Papa George her daddy. Lavinia’s
gentle spirit and kind soul also draws Miss Sally, the daughter of the
master, to her. This friendship brings Lavinia into the main house
more frequently. Soon, even the mistress of the house becomes
attached to Lavinia and teaches her how to read and how to behave
“properly”.
The master of the house is kind-hearted and aims to protect
the slaves from unfair treatment but he is often gone on sailing
trips leaving the cruel and heartless Rankin in charge of the slaves.
The mistress of the house is frequently disabled and detached by
her deep depression and an excessive use of laudanum drops that
calm her nerves. It is the slaves that watch over and care for the
mistress, her two children and each other. And it is the slaves that
end up protecting and rescuing the master’s son, Marshall, from
e holidays
Th
e coming!
ar
Get your
house
ready for
entertaining!
his tutor who is controlling and molesting the young
boy. Unfortunately, the tutor and Rankin had already
corrupted Marshall and he ends up directing a lot of his
anger toward the very slaves that saved him from this
mistreatment.
Though she is loved, Lavinia lives a life of being stuck
in between. As a child, she lives the life of a slave, but
doesn’t look like them. She is surrounded by strong
women, caring protective men, and unbreakable innocent
friendships. However, when she turns 17, she becomes a
free woman, no longer an indentured servant and ends
up marrying Marshall. Though in the beginning he shows
his affection for Lavinia, Marshall has a terrible temper, a
weakness for alcohol, women, and gambling, and a heart
full of hatred and jealousy. As a free woman, Lavinia feels
more trapped and alone than ever in a loveless, cruel
marriage and drowning in her own loneliness. The family
she once knew and loved is now forced to withhold all
affection and treat her only as the mistress of the house.
This book is full of heart-wrenching moments of suffering
and misunderstandings, violence and tragedy, jealousy
and hatred. But it is also a story of overwhelming love and
hope. Though the cruelty and violent treatment of slaves
is demonstrated often in this book, love crosses the color
lines over and over again.
The story is told from the alternating viewpoints
of Belle and Lavinia. Belle’s adult perspective gives a better
understanding of the fear and struggles that the slaves have and the
unfair ways they are treated with little ability to fight back. Lavinia’s
view is always seen with a bit of innocence and naivety, highlighting
how one’s misconceptions can lead to hurt and hatred.
The writing and storyline of this book are excellent. The author
draws you into the story from the very first page and deeply connects
you to her characters. This book would be great for anyone who likes
historical fiction or women’s literature. It’s definitely a five-star book!
Floors & More
Your Total Home Design Center
Interest Free Financing
1205 Broadway Ave., Yankton • 665-9728
Monday-Friday 9-5:30, Saturday 9-3
Shaw Carpet
installed w/pad
starting at
1.99
$
sq. ft.
We Offer a Full Line Of Over 100 In-Stock Carpet Styles
HERVOICE NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015v11