Even the best mother-daughter relationship has its challenges. But take one that’s not the best and add to it a secretive husband and father and a buried, dark memory, and you have the makings of -The Red Kitchen-a memoir full of humor, grit, honesty, and adventure that culminates with reconciliation and the long-delayed coming-of-age of two women.
At the age of seven, Barbara witnesses a frightening incident between her parents. She goes on to spend much of her childhood toggling between the happy family she longs for and the unhappy one she’s in but can’t repair. Disturbed by the smell of rotting leaves and an uneasy feeling about her father, she will spend half her life trying to get to the bottom of the reasons why.
As an adult, a summer in Africa allows Barbara to live without labels-wife, mother, daughter, sister-and become the woman she wants to be: funny, compassionate, complex, and often flawed. The Red Kitchen is the story of both Barbara and her mother, who, like many women, both spend much of their lives surrendering to society’s expectation to be one thing while yearning to be another. Ultimately, both women-in very different ways-come of age, find the loving parts of their mother-daughter relationship, and start living their best lives.
The Red Kitchen is a lyrical and painful chronicle of a dysfunctional-and typical-American family. It is also the story of a woman’s slow but steady shift from meeting everybody else’s expectations toward striving to realize her own dreams. A vivid and well-written memoir.
-Priscilla Long, author of Fire and Stone: Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?
Clarke’s memoir contains a significant message: Take charge of your own life-it’s not too late… . Her story can be an inspiration to other women to live their best lives within their own convictions.
-Story Circle Reviews
