Family estrangement affects nearly 30% of American adults—a startling reality that often goes unspoken. In Across The Kitchen Table, Carla Seaquist gives voice to this quiet heartbreak, offering a poignant, deeply personal narrative that explores the fragile threads of familial relationships, the pain of disconnection, and the slow, uncertain path toward reconciliation.
More than a memoir, Across The Kitchen Table is a thoughtful meditation on the complexities of kinship, grief, and forgiveness. Through the lens of her own experience—marked by the tragic loss of her daughter and the emotional rupture it caused—Seaquist delivers an unflinchingly honest account of sorrow, conflict, and the gradual journey toward healing. Her candid storytelling captures the raw emotions behind estrangement, encouraging readers to examine the silences and tensions that can exist within their own families.
Seaquist, a celebrated playwright, essayist, and author, brings her signature depth and insight to this powerful narrative. Her past works, including acclaimed plays like Who Cares? and Looking for Atticus, have earned recognition for their eloquent examination of social and cultural issues. Her essays, widely published, range in theme from political discourse to personal introspection, always marked by clarity, empathy, and a keen understanding of the human condition.
In Across The Kitchen Table, Seaquist turns her finely tuned narrative voice toward a topic that remains largely in the shadows. She opens the door on the emotional terrain of family estrangement, offering not only reflection but also hope—hope for mending relationships, for embracing vulnerability, and for fostering meaningful dialogue. Her story will resonate with anyone who has endured the ache of a fractured family or longed for a path back to connection.
This book speaks to more than those directly affected by estrangement. It is a universal call to examine the bonds we share with loved ones—to confront painful truths, extend compassion, and seek understanding. Seaquist’s message is clear: healing is possible, but it begins with honest conversation, often quite literally across the kitchen table.
Watch the book trailer: https://youtu.be/lmyVYfJKPsw