Across The Kitchen Table by Carla Seaquist: A Stirring Reflection on Family Estrangement and Healing
Family estrangement affects nearly 30% of American adults—a staggering figure that underscores a quiet, widespread pain rarely discussed openly. Carla Seaquist confronts this difficult reality with unflinching honesty in her moving book, Across The Kitchen Table. In this emotionally charged and deeply personal work, Seaquist offers a compelling exploration of familial conflict, grief, and the long road to reconciliation, centering on a fractured mother-daughter relationship torn apart by loss and misunderstanding.
Far more than a traditional memoir, Across The Kitchen Table is a profound reflection on the fragile, intricate nature of family ties. Seaquist draws from her own experience of devastating personal tragedy—the untimely death of her daughter—and the unraveling of family relationships that followed. Her storytelling is raw and fearless, guiding readers through sorrow, estrangement, and the enduring desire for healing. Her vulnerability on the page serves as an invitation for readers to examine their own relationships and consider the vital role of empathy and communication.
Carla Seaquist is widely respected as a playwright, essayist, and author whose work often tackles complex social and cultural issues. Her acclaimed plays, including Who Cares? and Looking for Atticus, as well as her essays in prominent publications, reflect a career devoted to thoughtful inquiry and emotional depth. Whether discussing politics or personal transformation, Seaquist’s writing is marked by clarity, sensitivity, and a deep moral compass.
With Across The Kitchen Table, Seaquist opens a necessary dialogue on estrangement—a topic too often hidden in shame or silence. She offers not only an intimate account of loss and disconnection but also a pathway toward reconciliation. Her insights resonate with anyone who has experienced the ache of separation or wrestled with the complexities of familial love.
This book is not solely for those who have endured estrangement. It speaks to anyone who cherishes the idea of family, who understands its power to both wound and heal. Seaquist’s words urge readers to confront uncomfortable truths, embrace forgiveness, and rebuild bridges where possible. In doing so, she delivers a powerful message of hope: that even across the widest emotional distances, connection remains possible.
Across The Kitchen Table is a testament to the resilience of the human heart and the enduring possibility of reconciliation—one honest conversation at a time.
Watch the book trailer: https://youtu.be/lmyVYfJKPsw
