Family estrangement affects nearly 30% of American adults—a quiet yet widespread reality that too often remains unspoken. In Across The Kitchen Table, acclaimed writer Carla Seaquist confronts this painful subject with striking honesty and emotional clarity. Her book offers an intimate examination of fractured family bonds, seen through the lens of a mother-daughter relationship torn apart by grief and misunderstanding.
Far from being a conventional memoir, Across The Kitchen Table reads as a profound reflection on the fragile and intricate nature of familial ties. Seaquist draws from her own life to recount the devastating loss of her daughter and the subsequent breakdown of communication within her family. With courage and vulnerability, she guides readers through her personal landscape of sorrow, estrangement, and the pursuit of healing.
What distinguishes Seaquist’s narrative is her openness—she does not shy away from difficult emotions or uncomfortable truths. Her storytelling is raw, insightful, and deeply human, inviting readers to contemplate their own experiences with family, forgiveness, and the silent wounds that often go unspoken.
Carla Seaquist is a respected playwright, essayist, and author whose work consistently tackles the complex intersections of personal and societal issues. Her notable plays, including Who Cares? and Looking for Atticus, have earned critical acclaim for their emotional depth and social relevance. As an essayist, she has contributed to leading publications, offering thoughtful commentary on everything from politics to personal ethics. Across all her writing, Seaquist brings a signature blend of clarity, empathy, and intellectual rigor.
In Across The Kitchen Table, that sensitivity is on full display. The book doesn’t just recount one woman’s grief—it offers a universal meditation on disconnection, the quiet ache of unresolved conflict, and the tentative steps toward reconciliation. Seaquist creates space for readers to recognize the emotional toll estrangement can take, while also pointing toward hope and restoration.
This powerful book will resonate not only with those who have experienced estrangement firsthand but also with anyone who values the importance of family connection. It challenges readers to reflect, to reach out, and perhaps to begin mending what has been broken. With compassion and honesty, Carla Seaquist reminds us that even the most fractured relationships may still hold the potential for healing—if we dare to sit down and truly talk across the kitchen table.
Watch the book trailer: https://youtu.be/lmyVYfJKPsw
