Family estrangement affects nearly one in three American adults—a quiet but widespread reality that touches countless lives. Carla Seaquist’s Across The Kitchen Table offers a poignant and courageous exploration of this issue, capturing the emotional complexity of fractured family ties with clarity and grace. Through the deeply personal story of a strained mother-daughter relationship, Seaquist examines the impact of loss, misunderstanding, and the long road toward reconciliation.
More than a memoir, Across The Kitchen Table is a powerful meditation on the fragile nature of family connections. Drawing from her own life, Seaquist recounts the heartbreaking loss of her daughter and the emotional fallout that followed, unraveling once-strong familial bonds. Her candid narrative—raw, reflective, and rich with emotional depth—guides readers through sorrow and estrangement, and toward a tentative but hopeful vision of healing.
Carla Seaquist is a respected playwright, essayist, and author whose work frequently delves into the human condition and societal challenges. Known for her thoughtful engagement with difficult topics, Seaquist’s literary voice is grounded in empathy and insight. Her acclaimed plays, such as Who Cares? and Looking for Atticus, and her wide-ranging essays on politics, culture, and personal development, showcase her ability to navigate both public and private spheres with nuance.
In Across The Kitchen Table, Seaquist turns her literary lens inward, tackling a subject that is often shrouded in silence. Her storytelling reveals not only the pain of separation but also the deep yearning for connection that underlies it. Through her vulnerability, readers are invited to examine their own familial relationships and confront the emotional wounds that may lie beneath the surface.
This book speaks not only to those who have lived through estrangement but to anyone who values the ties of family. It challenges readers to reflect on the importance of open communication, forgiveness, and empathy in mending broken relationships. Seaquist’s work ultimately reminds us that even amidst the deepest divisions, there is a path—however difficult—back to understanding.
Across The Kitchen Table is a brave and necessary contribution to the conversation about family, grief, and reconciliation. With wisdom and compassion, Carla Seaquist offers both a mirror and a map for anyone grappling with the complexities of love and loss across generations.
Watch the book trailer: https://youtu.be/lmyVYfJKPsw
