An estimated 30% of American adults are estranged from at least one member of their family—a sobering figure that underscores a widespread yet often unspoken emotional crisis. Carla Seaquist’s poignant and courageous book, Across the Kitchen Table, brings this hidden struggle into the light. Through deeply personal and affecting storytelling, Seaquist offers a powerful narrative centered on family, grief, and the arduous path toward healing.
Far more than a traditional memoir, Across the Kitchen Table is a reflective and emotionally rich examination of how family relationships can fracture—and the long, often painful road to reconciliation. Seaquist draws from her own life, sharing the devastating loss of her daughter and the subsequent disintegration of family ties. With unflinching honesty, she invites readers into her emotional world, capturing the anguish of estrangement while also illuminating the resilience it takes to move forward.
Seaquist, an acclaimed playwright, essayist, and author, is celebrated for her sharp insights into the social and emotional fabric of modern life. Her past works, including Who Cares? and Looking for Atticus, have garnered critical praise for their depth and humanity. She has also contributed thoughtful commentary on politics, culture, and personal development to leading publications. Her writing is distinguished by a rare blend of intellectual clarity and emotional resonance—qualities that shine through every page of this book.
In Across the Kitchen Table, Seaquist masterfully weaves her storytelling skills into a narrative that resonates far beyond her own experience. She creates space for readers to confront their own histories with family estrangement, offering solace to those navigating similar emotional terrain. Her prose is both vulnerable and wise, offering a mirror to anyone who has known the ache of fractured relationships.
But this book is not only for those directly touched by estrangement. It speaks to anyone who cherishes family, values connection, or has faced conflict with loved ones. Seaquist challenges readers to embrace discomfort, to have the hard conversations, and to recognize the transformative power of empathy and forgiveness.
Across the Kitchen Table is ultimately a call to action—a quiet but powerful plea for reconciliation, for listening, and for understanding. It reminds us that healing is possible, even after the deepest wounds, and that the bonds of family, however strained, are never entirely beyond repair.
Watch the book trailer: https://youtu.be/lmyVYfJKPsw