Family estrangement is a silent epidemic—affecting nearly 30% of American adults—yet it remains one of the most under-discussed social realities. Carla Seaquist’s Across The Kitchen Table brings this painful phenomenon into the light through a deeply intimate and courageous narrative that explores grief, misunderstanding, and the search for reconciliation within the fragile framework of family.
More than a memoir, Across The Kitchen Table is a searing meditation on the emotional weight of broken family bonds. Seaquist writes with unflinching honesty as she recounts the heartbreaking loss of her daughter and the emotional fallout that fractured her family. Her story is a powerful blend of personal vulnerability and universal resonance, inviting readers to reflect on the complexity of familial love and the consequences of unresolved pain.
Seaquist, an acclaimed playwright, essayist, and author, is renowned for her thoughtful examinations of social and moral issues. Her previous works—including Who Cares? and Looking for Atticus—have tackled themes ranging from civic responsibility to the human condition, earning her praise for her ability to blend intellect with empathy. In Across The Kitchen Table, she applies this same clarity and compassion to one of the most personal subjects of all: the family.
With a storyteller’s grace and a truth-teller’s resolve, Seaquist opens a candid dialogue about estrangement—often regarded as taboo—and presents it not only as a source of sorrow but also as a starting point for healing. Through scenes steeped in memory and emotion, she crafts a narrative that is both raw and redemptive, offering readers an empathetic guide through the maze of loss, regret, and reconciliation.
What makes Across The Kitchen Table especially powerful is its universal reach. While born from personal tragedy, its insights speak to anyone who has wrestled with the tensions and silences that can arise in close relationships. The book offers hope to those seeking to reconnect with estranged loved ones, urging readers to embrace communication, compassion, and the difficult path to forgiveness.
Ultimately, Seaquist’s work is a testament to the enduring need for connection—even when that connection has been broken. Across The Kitchen Table is not just a memoir of sorrow—it is a call to reckon with our most fragile bonds and to recognize that, even after loss, the conversation can begin anew.
Watch the book trailer: https://youtu.be/lmyVYfJKPsw