Across The Kitchen Table by Carla Seaquist: An Intimate Journey Through Family Estrangement
Darrel G. Wilfong 
Nearly one in three American adults are estranged from a family member—a quiet but widespread reality that too often goes unspoken. Carla Seaquist brings this emotional terrain to light in her gripping and heartfelt book, Across The Kitchen Table. More than a memoir, this powerful work explores the fragile ties of family, the weight of unresolved conflict, and the long road to reconciliation—all seen through the lens of a deeply strained mother-daughter relationship.
Seaquist doesn’t shy away from the painful details of her own life. Instead, she embraces vulnerability, recounting the tragic death of her daughter and the emotional collapse that followed. Her writing is raw, honest, and introspective, taking readers through a journey marked by grief, regret, and ultimately, healing. What emerges is a deeply human story—one that resonates with anyone who has experienced the ache of disconnection within their own family.
As a seasoned playwright, essayist, and author, Carla Seaquist is well known for her nuanced perspectives on social, political, and personal themes. Her award-winning plays, including Who Cares? and Looking for Atticus, along with her essays in leading publications, reflect a lifelong commitment to tackling difficult issues with grace and intelligence. Across The Kitchen Table is no exception. It combines the emotional depth of personal narrative with the intellectual clarity that defines her broader body of work.
What sets this book apart is its fearless exploration of estrangement—not as a moment of conflict, but as an ongoing emotional state that shapes identity and relationships. Seaquist gives voice to feelings often buried in silence: sorrow, shame, confusion, and longing. Yet even in its most heart-wrenching passages, the book offers a glimmer of hope—a belief that understanding, forgiveness, and reconnection are possible.
This is a book for anyone who has experienced distance or discord with a loved one, but also for those who cherish the meaning of family and wish to deepen their relationships. Through deeply personal storytelling, Seaquist opens a path to empathy and invites readers to confront difficult truths with honesty and courage.
Across The Kitchen Table is not simply a story of estrangement—it’s a powerful call for reflection, dialogue, and healing. With clarity, compassion, and emotional honesty, Carla Seaquist has created a work that lingers in the heart long after the last page is turned.
Watch the book trailer: https://youtu.be/lmyVYfJKPsw
