The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grisson

Finished this book on our long flight home from California. The author wrote this from 2 different perspectives, from a slave girl who worked in the Kitchen House, behind the Manor Home; and from an "adopted" Irish immigrant girl. Those 1800's days in the south are not places I love to re-visit; however this story was gripping--Lavinia, the Irish girl, is adopted into the Kitchen House family of Papa, Momma Mae and Belle. They love her, and care for her as she mourns the loss of her family; but she is then promoted into grander plans and welcomed into a different society. Confusion, secrecy, loss --Lavinia doesn't know who she is or who really loves her. The Plantation Life --of hardship, of unkindness, of evil deeds towards the slaves, of whites turning their backs on the truth -- is a sad commentary on America; but so thankful that Grisson brings in a few characters that shine: Will, the new foreman; Mama Mae, giving the ultimate sacrifice; and Uncle, an old man continually caring for all those around him--black or white.