Family estrangement is more common than many realize—nearly 30% of American adults are separated from at least one family member. This quiet yet widespread issue is at the heart of Carla Seaquist’s poignant book, Across the Kitchen Table, a deeply intimate and reflective narrative that dives into the complexities of familial love, conflict, and the fragile road to reconciliation.
At its core, Across the Kitchen Table transcends the boundaries of a traditional memoir. It offers a profound examination of the emotional weight that fractured family relationships can carry. Seaquist writes from personal experience, recounting the devastating loss of her daughter and the emotional aftermath that strained her family ties. With unflinching honesty and raw emotional depth, she charts a journey through sorrow, remorse, and the tentative steps toward healing.
The narrative is layered with vulnerability, drawing readers into Seaquist’s world while prompting them to consider their own familial relationships. Her reflections are not only a testament to personal grief but also a universal call for empathy, open dialogue, and forgiveness.
Carla Seaquist brings a rich literary background to her work. An acclaimed playwright, essayist, and author, she is celebrated for her thoughtful engagement with social, cultural, and political themes. Her plays, including Who Cares? and Looking for Atticus, have earned praise for their depth and relevance. Her essays—featured in leading publications—examine the human condition with clarity and compassion, qualities that shine throughout Across the Kitchen Table.
What makes this book especially compelling is its courage to confront a subject often cloaked in silence. Seaquist opens a space for readers to acknowledge estrangement not as failure, but as a shared human experience that can be understood—and potentially healed—through empathy and communication.
Across the Kitchen Table speaks to anyone who has ever experienced the ache of distance within a family. Yet its message extends beyond estrangement—it is a celebration of the enduring power of connection and the resilience required to mend broken ties. Whether you’ve experienced familial conflict or simply value the importance of close relationships, this book invites you to reflect, reach out, and hold space for forgiveness.
Watch the book trailer: https://youtu.be/lmyVYfJKPsw