Family estrangement is more common than many realize—nearly 30% of American adults are estranged from at least one family member. In Across The Kitchen Table, author Carla Seaquist offers a powerful and intimate examination of this widespread but often hidden reality. Her book goes beyond recounting events—it serves as a heartfelt exploration of conflict, loss, and the long road to reconciliation, framed through the lens of a strained mother-daughter relationship deeply affected by tragedy.
More than a memoir, Across The Kitchen Table is a poignant meditation on the fragile threads that bind families together—and what happens when those threads begin to fray. Seaquist bravely shares her own experience, telling the deeply emotional story of her daughter’s untimely death and the aftermath that led to a painful unraveling of familial ties. Through deeply personal and unflinchingly honest prose, she invites readers into her journey through grief, regret, and ultimately, healing.
Seaquist, a respected playwright, essayist, and author, is widely known for her thoughtful engagement with social and cultural issues. Her work includes award-winning plays like Who Cares? and Looking for Atticus, as well as numerous essays on politics, morality, and personal growth. What sets her apart is her ability to distill complex emotional and societal themes into writing that is both clear-eyed and deeply compassionate.
In Across The Kitchen Table, that gift for storytelling is on full display. Seaquist provides not only a raw and vulnerable narrative but also a space for readers to examine their own familial relationships. Her book resonates with those who have experienced estrangement and those who fear it. With empathy and insight, she explores the pain of broken bonds and the quiet hope that healing is still possible.
What makes this book especially compelling is its broader relevance. While rooted in one woman’s story, it speaks to universal experiences—grief, misunderstanding, pride, love, and the yearning for reconnection. Seaquist doesn’t offer simple solutions; instead, she encourages readers to sit with discomfort, confront painful truths, and move toward compassion and communication.
Across The Kitchen Table is not just a book for the estranged. It’s for anyone who cherishes the value of family, the necessity of dialogue, and the redemptive power of forgiveness. Seaquist reminds us that even the most fractured relationships can hold the possibility of repair—if we are willing to reach across the table and truly listen.
Watch the book trailer: https://youtu.be/lmyVYfJKPsw