Across The Kitchen Table by Carla Seaquist: A Poignant Reflection on Family Estrangement and Reconciliation
Nearly one in three American adults are estranged from a family member—a quiet yet deeply painful reality that Carla Seaquist brings into the light in her evocative book, Across The Kitchen Table. Through intimate storytelling and emotional honesty, Seaquist explores the fragility of familial bonds, the wounds of conflict, and the hard-won path to healing, all through the lens of a strained mother-daughter relationship marked by grief and silence.
More than a memoir, Across The Kitchen Table is a powerful meditation on the emotional weight of estrangement. Seaquist draws from her own life, chronicling the heart-wrenching loss of her daughter and the painful fragmentation of her family that followed. Her narrative unfolds with raw candor and introspection, immersing readers in the complex emotional terrain of love, loss, and longing. With each chapter, Seaquist encourages us to consider how miscommunication, unmet expectations, and unresolved grief can fracture even the closest of relationships.
Carla Seaquist, a renowned playwright, essayist, and author, is celebrated for her incisive takes on both personal and societal issues. Her acclaimed plays—such as Who Cares? and Looking for Atticus—and her essays on politics, morality, and the human condition, have appeared in leading publications. Seaquist’s writing is characterized by intellectual depth and emotional resonance, qualities that shine in her deeply personal account of familial disconnection.
In Across The Kitchen Table, Seaquist turns her attention to the often hidden, painful subject of family estrangement. Her storytelling is both brave and compassionate, offering readers not only a mirror into their own familial experiences but also a roadmap toward healing. She underscores the importance of communication, empathy, and the willingness to confront uncomfortable truths as essential steps toward reconciliation.
This book speaks to more than just those who have endured estrangement—it speaks to anyone who cherishes family and seeks to strengthen their connections. Seaquist’s reflections offer a compelling invitation: to open our hearts, initiate difficult conversations, and strive for understanding in the face of silence. Across The Kitchen Table is ultimately a hopeful testament to the possibility of mending even the deepest of rifts with honesty, humility, and love.
Watch the book trailer: https://youtu.be/lmyVYfJKPsw
