An estimated 30% of American adults are estranged from a family member—a sobering statistic that underscores a widespread yet often hidden emotional struggle. Carla Seaquist brings this painful reality into the light with Across The Kitchen Table, a compelling and deeply intimate account of familial conflict and the fragile path to reconciliation. Through the lens of a fractured mother-daughter relationship, Seaquist confronts the emotional complexities that many face but rarely discuss.
More than a memoir, Across The Kitchen Table serves as a contemplative exploration of the intricate ties that bind—and sometimes break—families apart. At its center is Seaquist’s raw account of her daughter’s untimely death, a devastating event that rippled through her family and tested the limits of love and communication. With remarkable candor and emotional depth, Seaquist chronicles the pain of loss, the silence that followed, and the slow, often difficult journey toward healing.
Carla Seaquist is an acclaimed playwright, essayist, and author, celebrated for her thoughtful engagement with social and moral issues. Her portfolio includes the award-winning plays Who Cares? and Looking for Atticus, as well as numerous essays featured in leading publications. Known for her intellectual clarity and compassionate voice, Seaquist brings the same insight to this book, crafting a narrative that is as intellectually engaging as it is emotionally resonant.
In Across The Kitchen Table, Seaquist doesn’t just recount her personal story—she invites readers into a wider conversation about estrangement, grief, and the struggle to reconnect. Her storytelling is rich with vulnerability and reflection, encouraging readers to examine their own family dynamics and the barriers that can arise from miscommunication, resentment, and unresolved trauma.
This book offers more than catharsis—it offers guidance. Seaquist’s insights provide hope for those longing to mend broken relationships, urging readers to consider the power of empathy, forgiveness, and honest dialogue. She makes the case that, while estrangement is painful, it is not always permanent.
Ultimately, Across The Kitchen Table is for anyone who values the strength and fragility of family. Whether or not one has experienced estrangement, Seaquist’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of staying present, listening deeply, and nurturing the connections that matter most—even when doing so is difficult.
With unflinching honesty and poetic grace, Carla Seaquist has created a work that resonates deeply in today’s fractured world—a book that speaks to the quiet wounds we carry and the possibility of healing, one conversation at a time.
Watch the book trailer: https://youtu.be/lmyVYfJKPsw
