January 2026: The Kitchen House | Discussion

[karlimarie]

Here are a few discussion questions that I found online. Feel free to answer one or all... or pose your own topics of discussion.

You can also comment on favorite passages, parts that stuck with you, or sections that left a bad taste in your mouth. Was there something you didn't fully grasp? Did the book leave you with more questions than it answered?

All questions and viewpoints are welcome.



1. Why do you think the author chose to tell the story through two narrators? How are Lavinia’s observations and judgments different from Belle’s? Does this story belong to one more than the other? If you could choose another character to narrate the novel, who would it be?


2. One of the novel’s themes is history repeating itself. Another theme is isolation. Select scenes from The Kitchen House that depict each theme and discuss. Are there scenes in which the two themes intersect?


3. “Mae knows that her eldest daughter consorts with my husband. . . Almost from the beginning, I suspected their secrets” (page 107). Why does the captain keep Belle’s true identity a secret from his wife and children? Do you think the truth would have been a relief to his family or torn them further apart? At what point does keeping this secret turn tragic?


4. Discuss the significance of birds and bird nests in the novel. What or who do they symbolize? What other symbols support the novel?


5. “When I saw their hunger I was struck with a deep familiarity and turned away, my mind anxious to keep at bay memories it was not yet ready to recall” (page 24). Consider Lavinia’s history. Do you think the captain saved her life by bringing her to America as an indentured servant? Or do you think it was a fate worse than the one she would have faced in Ireland? Discuss the difference between slavery and indentured servitude.


6. Marshall is a complicated character. At times, he is kind and protective; other times, he is a violent monster. What is the secret that Marshall is forced to keep? Is he to blame for what happened to Sally? Why do you think Marshall was loyal to Rankin, who was a conspirator with Mr. Waters?


7. “I grew convinced that if she saw me, she would become well again” (page 188). Why does Lavinia feel that her presence would help Miss Martha? Describe their relationship. If Lavinia is nurtured by Mama and Belle, why does she need Miss Martha’s attention? Is the relationship one-sided, or does Miss Martha care for Lavinia in return?


8. “Fortunately, making myself amenable was not foreign to me, as I had lived this way for much of my life” (page 233). Do you think this attribute of Lavinia saves or endangers her life? Give examples for both.


9. Describe the relationship between Ben’s wife, Lucy, and Belle. How does it evolve throughout the novel? Is it difficult for you to understand their friendship? Why or why not?


10. “I was as enslaved as all the others” (page 300). Do you think this statement by Lavinia is fair? Is her position equivalent to those of the slaves? What freedom does she have that the slaves do not? What burdens does her race put upon her?

 

[Kim Hansen]

I finished and really enjoyed The Kitchen House. It was so fun to pack a book around with me the last couple of weeks. All along I wondered who Belle's mother was? I felt so sorry for Lavinia's loss of her family; how sad that would be to go through life wondering and longing for them. I'm so glad she got a family with Belle, Mama Mae, Papa George and the rest of the crew. I loved the family community of the slaves and how they helped and loved each other. I found myself being a part of them and cheering them on as they were in their battles.

I was appalled with the rape that went on. Can you imagine having to go through that? Always living in fear and so scared of when it would happen next.

It crossed my mind several times of the unhappiness of the white and rich. They were the ones that were enslaved with their demons and their secrets that they cause upon themselves. The slaves were much happier, loving people.

I loved the romance throughout the book with Lavinia and Will. DANG! I wanted them together so bad, but was SOOO IMPRESSED with Will and his integrity- WOW! that alone is so attractive!

I wanted Ben and Belle to get together too - but how wonderful that Lucy shared him with her. I COULD NEVER DO THAT - I'm a jealous one and would NEVER share my husband. I grew to love Lucy - she must have been soo worn out working in the fields and having all those children. She probably welcomed the friendship of Belle giving her some relief.

I really enjoyed the book and I'm so proud of myself for finishing. I haven't been much of a reader the past few years; I'm too addicted to the internet.

I hope you other ladies tell me your thoughts; I enjoy conversation.

 

[lorigaud]

I loved this book - just finished the audio version yesterday. Kim, I agree that I wanted Will and Lavinia to be together so much.... and I really hoped that it would happen - man, I was so aggravated with Rankin that he kept intercepting Lavinia.

Marshall had so many demons.... he clearly was so troubled after having been molested by the tutor and killing his sister... but I kept hoping that Lavinia would sort of turn him around and be the happy in his life. He was so kind to her initially, but knowing that he had raped Belle and was so entrenched with Rankin made it pretty predictable that things would not end well.

Honestly I was shocked at the fact that it was Mama who was hanged... I expected it to be Belle.

I will add more later.

 

[Kim Hansen]

Lori, Lori, I'm so glad you popped in. You answered my thought of Marshall being molested by the tutor. I sure thought it was so, but wondered if my mind was just making up thoughts. OH MY!!!!

Rankin, truly was the cause of sooo much trouble.

After Mama, let him have it in the end, I wondered if that was why he hung her. She was right there on the property telling him all the truths and he must have reacted with the hanging right then.

Oh, it was certainly a great book. I'm now reading "Glory over Everything." Jamie is alive!

Thank you, thank you for introducing me to this fun reading time.

 

[lorigaud]

I'll have to check out Glory Over Everything... I'd love to read more!

I am confused about the question above related to birds and bird nests. I honestly don't remember anything about them..... did I miss something, or am I just forgetting lol?

 

[kristalund]

I own Glory Over Everything but I need a break. Kitchen House has been on my TBR for so long...I had heard such great things about it and I only found it OK. So I am a little weary to start Glory Over Everything.
*Disclaimer: I actually listened to KH so maybe if I read the physical book I would have liked it better. Also historical fiction isn't my favorite genre but I feel that they are important to read.

 

[Kim Hansen]

I'll have to check out Glory Over Everything... I'd love to read more!

I am confused about the question above related to birds and bird nests. I honestly don't remember anything about them..... did I miss something, or am I just forgetting lol?

Me too on the discussion question about the birds. I couldn't recall ever reading about birds.

In Glory Over Everything, in a letter Lavinia writes to Jamie, she says, "You always had such skill with a paintbrush. All of your childhood paintings were lost in the fire, but I remember so well how vividly you captured the cardinal and bluebird."

Lori, it's fun corresponding with you.

 

[Kim Hansen]

I own Glory Over Everything but I need a break. Kitchen House has been on my TBR for so long...I had heard such great things about it and I only found it OK. So I am a little weary to start Glory Over Everything.
*Disclaimer: I actually listened to KH so maybe if I read the physical book I would have liked it better. Also historical fiction isn't my favorite genre but I feel that they are important to read.

Krista, I totally understand how we have favorite genres of books. I enjoy historical fiction, but don't care about fantasy.

 

[lorigaud]

I own Glory Over Everything but I need a break. Kitchen House has been on my TBR for so long...I had heard such great things about it and I only found it OK. So I am a little weary to start Glory Over Everything.
*Disclaimer: I actually listened to KH so maybe if I read the physical book I would have liked it better. Also historical fiction isn't my favorite genre but I feel that they are important to read.

Interesting.... I feel like I enjoyed the audiobook more because of the accents lol.
Historical fiction isn't my favorite either, but I love Kristin Hannah's books in particular.

I don't like fantasy either, Kim. Never read Harry Potter and not interested in it at all.

 

[lorigaud]

Me too on the discussion question about the birds. I couldn't recall ever reading about birds.

In Glory Over Everything, in a letter Lavinia writes to Jamie, she says, "You always had such skill with a paintbrush. All of your childhood paintings were lost in the fire, but I remember so well how vividly you captured the cardinal and bluebird."

Lori, it's fun corresponding with you.

Huh. Ok, well I'm glad it's not just me lol. No memory of birds at all.
Fun corresponding with you too!

 

[kristalund]

Interesting.... I feel like I enjoyed the audiobook more because of the accents lol.
Historical fiction isn't my favorite either, but I love Kristin Hannah's books in particular.

I don't like fantasy either, Kim. Never read Harry Potter and not interested in it at all.

I adore all Kristin H's books!! Go figure- lol!!

 

[karlimarie]

I'm still reading, but here's what I found online about the birds and bird nests.

On page 20, chapter 3, "Lavinia," Ben presents Lavinia with a bird nest that becomes the first in "my collection of abandoned bird nests."

On page 170, chapter twenty-seven, "Belle", she reluctantly leaves all but two of her bird nests with Belle just before she leaves for Williamsburg. It contributes to the difficulties she has in settling into her new home until she meets Meg in chapter twenty-nine. Meg not only has her own collection of bird nests, but her own black crow called Sin, who can speak.

On page 52, chapter seven, Fanny takes the girls to see baby chicks.

There other more indirect allusions to birds throughout the novel. On page 20, Ben calls Lavinia "little bird" as a way of including her in his games with the others. "How could I fly with my thumb in my mouth? he wanted to know." On page 188, Lavinia calls Miss Martha and says she looks up "much like a startled bird."

 

[lorigaud]

I'm still reading, but here's what I found online about the birds and bird nests.

On page 20, chapter 3, "Lavinia," Ben presents Lavinia with a bird nest that becomes the first in "my collection of abandoned bird nests."

On page 170, chapter twenty-seven, "Belle", she reluctantly leaves all but two of her bird nests with Belle just before she leaves for Williamsburg. It contributes to the difficulties she has in settling into her new home until she meets Meg in chapter twenty-nine. Meg not only has her own collection of bird nests, but her own black crow called Sin, who can speak.

On page 52, chapter seven, Fanny takes the girls to see baby chicks.

There other more indirect allusions to birds throughout the novel. On page 20, Ben calls Lavinia "little bird" as a way of including her in his games with the others. "How could I fly with my thumb in my mouth? he wanted to know." On page 188, Lavinia calls Miss Martha and says she looks up "much like a startled bird."

Thank you! I honestly don't remember any of this except for Ben calling Lavinia "little bird".

 

[lizziej]

I loved this book. I finished it 3 weeks ago, so I hope I remember things to answer the questionnaire! LOL

1. Why do you think the author chose to tell the story through two narrators? So we could have the point of view of both of them regarding the same situations. It was quite interesting. How are Lavinia’s observations and judgments different from Belle’s? She couldn't really understand the prejudice that Belle experienced.Does this story belong to one more than the other?I believe it belonged more to Lavinia. If you could choose another character to narrate the novel, who would it be? I think it would be interesting to hear from Marshall. He seemed to be a troubled troublemaker.

2. One of the novel’s themes is history repeating itself. Another theme is isolation. Select scenes from The Kitchen House that depict each theme and discuss. Are there scenes in which the two themes intersect? I don't know.

3. “Mae knows that her eldest daughter consorts with my husband. . . Almost from the beginning, I suspected their secrets” (page 107). Why does the captain keep Belle’s true identity a secret from his wife and children? I don't know. That bugged me, because Miss Martha thought so poorly of Belle. Do you think the truth would have been a relief to his family or torn them further apart? Probably would have torn them apart.At what point does keeping this secret turn tragic? I don't remember.

4. Discuss the significance of birds and bird nests in the novel. What or who do they symbolize? What other symbols support the novel? I vaguely remember birds. Perhaps it symbolized being free, leaving the next.

5. “When I saw their hunger I was struck with a deep familiarity and turned away, my mind anxious to keep at bay memories it was not yet ready to recall” (page 24). Consider Lavinia’s history. Do you think the captain saved her life by bringing her to America as an indentured servant? Yes. Or do you think it was a fate worse than the one she would have faced in Ireland? Discuss the difference between slavery and indentured servitude.

6. Marshall is a complicated character. At times, he is kind and protective; other times, he is a violent monster. What is the secret that Marshall is forced to keep? That he was sexually abused by Waters. Is he to blame for what happened to Sally? I believe so, but Waters had an indirect part in it. Why do you think Marshall was loyal to Rankin, who was a conspirator with Mr. Waters? I'm not sure, but perhaps he was afraid he'd get treated the same way.

7. “I grew convinced that if she saw me, she would become well again” (page 188). Why does Lavinia feel that her presence would help Miss Martha? Describe their relationship. If Lavinia is nurtured by Mama and Belle, why does she need Miss Martha’s attention? Is the relationship one-sided, or does Miss Martha care for Lavinia in return? Miss Martha cared for Lavinia, but I think it was because she thought she was Isabel. I don't know why she wanted Martha's attention.

8. “Fortunately, making myself amenable was not foreign to me, as I had lived this way for much of my life” (page 233). Do you think this attribute of Lavinia saves or endangers her life? Give examples for both. I don't know.

9. Describe the relationship between Ben’s wife, Lucy, and Belle. How does it evolve throughout the novel? Is it difficult for you to understand their friendship? Why or why not? The relationship was at first contentious, which is understandable. I don't remember what made them get along and like each other. I didn't like that they were all content with Ben having relations with both women.

10. “I was as enslaved as all the others” (page 300). Do you think this statement by Lavinia is fair?Yes Is her position equivalent to those of the slaves? I don't think so.What freedom does she have that the slaves do not? What burdens does her race put upon her? She cannot really be friends and have relationships with slaves.

 

[Kim Hansen]

Lizzie, thank you for your thoughts. I really enjoy other perspectives in life. We are all writing our own stories with the way we view things and believe. It's fun to learn from others.

Karli, thank you for letting us know where the bird excerpts were; that is helpful. Funny, how all of us have been vague on the birds.

No Harry Potter for me either Lori. HAHA

I'm planning on making the author's Molasses Cake recipe that was at the end of the book. I'll let you know how it turns out.

 

[lorigaud]

Oooh Kim - Molasses cake sounds delicious! I listened to the audiobook - I'll have to go back and see if the recipe is there.

 

[Kim Hansen]

Words from the book: Whenever Bella baked a molasses cake, I craved a taste. I did try several old recipes that I found, but I was unsatisfied with the results. So, using the old recipes as a baseline, my daughter, Erin, and I created our own version of a simple yet moist and tasty molasses cake. I am happy to share it with the readers.

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1 cup molasses
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 dashes ground cloves
1/4 tsp. salt

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8 inch square baking pan.

In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Beat in the egg. In a separate bowl, combine the milk and the molasses. In another bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and salt. Add each of these alternately to the butter mixture, beating well between additions. Spoon batter into the prepared pan. Bake for approximately 45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

 

[lorigaud]

Oh, yum! Thank you Kim!

 

[Kim Hansen]

Oh, yum! Thank you Kim!

YOU are welcome.

 

[Kim Hansen]

I felt as if I were in school doing a culminating project after reading a book wanting to get a good grade. Haha!

The cake was ok; I think I like gingersnap cookies better.

 

[karlimarie]

Oh wow, you did an amazing job! It looks great <3

 

[Kim Hansen]

Karli, THANK YOU and THANK YOU for organizing this book club for the year. I don't read much AND when I find a book that keeps my interest from the beginning, I get excited! I felt accomplished in January reading this book - SO THANK YOU!

 

[karlimarie]

It’s my pleasure.

I was one of those kids whose nose was always in a book, but as I got older and life got more demanding my passion for reading dwindled significantly. There were times when my schedule would open up and I was able to rekindle my love of the written word, but once I had kids the only thing I was reading were children’s books. Which are amazing… just not particularly challenging or age appropriate lol.

So literally years went by without my even attempting to read anything longer than a Facebook post, and I got so far removed from the world of reading that I forgot to even miss it. Then in 2021 I was diagnose with ADHD and medicated and embraced audiobooks… a whole new world opened up to me. I re-dedicated myself to reading- with my ears this time and my passion was reignited. Since my diagnosis I’ve read over 800 books :blink:

Then a few years ago I decided I was tired of reading alone and started up a local book club with some Mom friends from our playgroup. It was SO rewarding!! Being able to have intellectual conversations was so sorely missing in my life. My children are my everything, but you can only talk about diapers and wooden toys so much without some brain rot setting in.

I’ve been running that club for two years and it’s been one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself. The sub-community we’ve built has been so amazing and supportive and intellectually stimulating.

So when I became a sugarbabe I thought it would be so nice to try and duplicate that community building aspect here. We already have a shared love of scrapbooking, how nice would it be to also bond over a shared love of reading. And that’s how this book club was born!

My hope is that people will find community here and that books will be the catalyst. I also hope that this book club might be the excuse that someone needs to start reading again. Inside of so many of us is a little girl who loved to read but then life got in the way. And so maybe now it’s time to wake her back up!!

 

[karlimarie]

On another note, I did finish the book and will come back with some thoughts… I just need a minute to process it all.

 

[Kim Hansen]

It’s my pleasure.

I was one of those kids whose nose was always in a book, but as I got older and life got more demanding my passion for reading dwindled significantly. There were times when my schedule would open up and I was able to rekindle my love of the written word, but once I had kids the only thing I was reading were children’s books. Which are amazing… just not particularly challenging or age appropriate lol.

So literally years went by without my even attempting to read anything longer than a Facebook post, and I got so far removed from the world of reading that I forgot to even miss it. Then in 2021 I was diagnose with ADHD and medicated and embraced audiobooks… a whole new world opened up to me. I re-dedicated myself to reading- with my ears this time and my passion was reignited. Since my diagnosis I’ve read over 800 books :blink:

Then a few years ago I decided I was tired of reading alone and started up a local book club with some Mom friends from our playgroup. It was SO rewarding!! Being able to have intellectual conversations was so sorely missing in my life. My children are my everything, but you can only talk about diapers and wooden toys so much without some brain rot setting in.

I’ve been running that club for two years and it’s been one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself. The sub-community we’ve built has been so amazing and supportive and intellectually stimulating.

So when I became a sugarbabe I thought it would be so nice to try and duplicate that community building aspect here. We already have a shared love of scrapbooking, how nice would it be to also bond over a shared love of reading. And that’s how this book club was born!

My hope is that people will find community here and that books will be the catalyst. I also hope that this book club might be the excuse that someone needs to start reading again. Inside of so many of us is a little girl who loved to read but then life got in the way. And so maybe now it’s time to wake her back up!!

Karli- I'm tearing up after reading your beautiful, meaningful, words. Every single paragraph touched me. "Forgot to miss it." "Moms and playgroups"- yes we get sooo wrapped up in our children - THEY ARE OUR GREATEST JOY AND OUR BIGGEST WORRY, AND "We need to make the time for adult conversations!"

It's been so fun this past January month - I've been scrapbooking, I'm puzzling AND I'm carrying a book around with me. It's been such a delight to have this conversation with a few of you on this thread; it has been joyful!

I'm just about finished with Glory Over Everything and then I'm starting into March's book because like Lori said, Sonia and Sunny is on hold at the library for the next 6 weeks and it's a long one.

Can't wait for more conversation.

Thank you so much.

 

[lizziej]

Karli, it's wonderful that you found your passion for reading again! I was never a big reader because I had a problem with comprehension, so I read occasionally for pleasure. Once I graduated from college, I thought I would try again. I've read on and off since then. In 2023, we started a little book club at work, just 5 out of the 6 staff members, and I just took off. I read 58 books that year. I've read about the same since. I joined this book club to possibly try books outside my usual genres. Thank you for starting this club!