Family estrangement affects nearly 30% of American adults—a startling figure that underscores a quiet but deeply felt reality. In Across the Kitchen Table, Carla Seaquist confronts this issue with honesty, compassion, and literary grace. Her book is a heartfelt and thought-provoking journey into the emotional terrain of broken relationships, told through the intimate lens of a mother-daughter bond tested by grief, conflict, and miscommunication.
Far more than a traditional memoir, Across the Kitchen Table is a powerful meditation on the fragile threads that hold families together—and what happens when those threads begin to unravel. Seaquist shares her personal story with unflinching openness, chronicling the tragic loss of her daughter and the subsequent disintegration of familial ties. Her writing pulses with emotional intensity, guiding readers through sorrow, guilt, reflection, and, eventually, the pursuit of healing.
Seaquist brings to this narrative the same depth and insight that define her broader body of work. As an acclaimed playwright, essayist, and author, she has long explored themes of social justice, cultural identity, and personal growth. Her plays, including Who Cares? and Looking for Atticus, have garnered critical acclaim, and her essays have been widely published in major media outlets. Whether writing about politics or personal transformation, Seaquist consistently demonstrates a rare ability to tackle complex issues with clarity, empathy, and integrity.
With Across the Kitchen Table, she turns her literary talents toward one of the most private and painful topics in family life. In doing so, she lifts the veil on estrangement, offering readers a nuanced perspective that is both deeply personal and universally relatable. Through her story, Seaquist highlights the silent suffering that often accompanies family division while also pointing toward the possibility of understanding, forgiveness, and reconnection.
This book resonates not only with those who have lived through estrangement but also with anyone who cherishes the bonds of family. It serves as a mirror, inviting readers to examine their own relationships and to consider the cost of silence, the power of empathy, and the healing potential of honest dialogue. In a time when disconnection often feels more prevalent than unity, Across the Kitchen Table offers a timely and moving reminder of the value of reaching across divides.
Seaquist’s narrative doesn’t promise easy answers—but it does offer hope. Her story is a testament to the resilience of the human heart and the enduring need for connection, even in the face of profound loss. For anyone seeking to understand the emotional landscape of estrangement—or to mend a broken bond—this book is both a guide and a source of solace.
Watch the book trailer: https://youtu.be/lmyVYfJKPsw