Family estrangement affects nearly 30% of American adults, a sobering statistic that underscores a deeply private, often unspoken pain. Carla Seaquist’s Across the Kitchen Table tackles this very subject with striking honesty and grace. In this poignant and reflective work, Seaquist invites readers into a personal journey of love, loss, and the arduous path to reconciliation—all viewed through the intimate lens of a fractured mother-daughter bond.
More than a simple memoir, Across the Kitchen Table is a powerful meditation on the fragile threads that bind families together—and what happens when those threads snap. Drawing from her own lived experience, Seaquist recounts the heart-wrenching loss of her daughter and the subsequent breakdown of family relationships. Through prose that is both raw and lyrical, she leads readers through grief, estrangement, and the long road toward emotional healing. Her vulnerability on the page makes the story resonate deeply, encouraging readers to consider the complexities within their own families.
Seaquist is no stranger to tackling profound human issues. An accomplished playwright, essayist, and author, her work has often explored the moral and emotional challenges of modern life. Her acclaimed plays, including Who Cares? and Looking for Atticus, along with her thought-provoking essays featured in major outlets, reflect her unique ability to blend social insight with personal reflection. Her writing style—introspective yet accessible—makes even the most painful topics approachable.
In Across the Kitchen Table, Seaquist brings that same literary skill to the subject of estrangement. She dismantles the silence that typically surrounds it, giving voice to those who have felt the sting of separation within families. Yet, the book is not mired in despair—it is also a story of hope. Seaquist extends a hand to those yearning for reconciliation, offering not solutions, but the possibility of understanding, forgiveness, and renewed connection.
This is a book for anyone who has experienced emotional distance from loved ones—or anyone who cherishes the fragile, irreplaceable bonds of family. Across the Kitchen Table challenges us to face uncomfortable truths, to open lines of communication, and to mend what has been broken. It is a tender call for compassion and empathy, and a testament to the healing power of honest dialogue.
Seaquist’s heartfelt storytelling reminds us that while estrangement can feel like an ending, it can also mark the beginning of a journey back—toward understanding, healing, and love.
Watch the book trailer: https://youtu.be/lmyVYfJKPsw
