Review of Kalayla
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Rebecca Winsy
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- Latest Review: Kalayla by Jeannie Nicholas
Review of Kalayla
[Following is a volunteer review of "Kalayla" by Jeannie Nicholas.]
Kalayla by Jeannie Nicholas is an impressive fictional novel. The themes contained in this book are family, forgiveness, bravery, racism, and sexuality.
After her husband dies, Maureen's world shatters. The overbearing grief renders her incapable of living her daily life. Her mother-in-law threatens to take her 11-year-old daughter who she had neglected since the tragic incident. She had just lost the love of her life, she couldn't bear to lose the most beautiful thing they ever made together. She decides to get her life back on track. Maureen and her daughter Kalayla move to a new town and adjust to a new life. Kalayla is witty, brave, and independent. Between her father working and her mother always engrossed in an art project she had learned to take care of herself from an early age. She adjusts to the new place well and begins exploring. When she meets Lena, a 72-year-old woman who owns the building she lives in, she isn't afraid to voice her thoughts. Lena lives alone and always wears black from head to toe. Kalayla being very opinionated speaks her mind about the old woman living on the top floor and her choice of dressing. The two form a relationship and grow fond of each other over time.
Lena had been in an abusive marriage before her husband died. She could have left but she was afraid that Joey her husband wouldn't let her see her sons if she did. She continued to endure physical and sexual abuse and was unable to raise her boys the way she had hoped to. Joey was always indoctrinating them to be arrogant and violent. She tried her best but Joey made it hellish for her so eventually, she gave up. Interacting with Kalayla conjured up memories of Lena's boys when they were her age. Lena didn't want Kalayla getting into any kind of trouble so she vowed to look out for her. She decided she wasn't going to give up as she did with her children.
When Kalayla discovers that her mother has been keeping a huge secret from her, she runs away. Lena calls for help from her friends and they come to the rescue. Kalayla finds refuge at Lena's house. Whenever there's tension at home she always turns to Lena who welcomes her and comforts her with delicious meals. Lena became a steady dependable confidant for Kalayla and Maureen. Lena's friends and family also grew fond of the pair and helped them in any way they could. Maureen and her daughter found a place to call home and a new family who loved them.
I loved the book mostly because I could relate to growing up without a father. The characters in this book were well developed and delightful. It's amazing how strangers can come into your life and become family. It is the unconditional love for one another that keeps families bonded rather than blood ties and when your family disowns you, it takes courage to forgive them. I think that life is all about second chances. We all make mistakes and we should all be given a chance for redemption. Jeannie exemplifies this in her writing. The other significant aspect I loved about the book is the empowerment of women. The women are portrayed as independent, hardworking, and astoundingly courageous.
The only thing I disliked about the book was that it was very predictable. Other than that the book was exceptionally well written. I give it a rating of 4 out of 4 stars. I didn't find any errors which led me to believe that the book was professionally edited. This book is great for readers who enjoy literary works about family.
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Kalayla
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Kalayla by Jeannie Nicholas is an impressive fictional novel. The themes contained in this book are family, forgiveness, bravery, racism, and sexuality.
After her husband dies, Maureen's world shatters. The overbearing grief renders her incapable of living her daily life. Her mother-in-law threatens to take her 11-year-old daughter who she had neglected since the tragic incident. She had just lost the love of her life, she couldn't bear to lose the most beautiful thing they ever made together. She decides to get her life back on track. Maureen and her daughter Kalayla move to a new town and adjust to a new life. Kalayla is witty, brave, and independent. Between her father working and her mother always engrossed in an art project she had learned to take care of herself from an early age. She adjusts to the new place well and begins exploring. When she meets Lena, a 72-year-old woman who owns the building she lives in, she isn't afraid to voice her thoughts. Lena lives alone and always wears black from head to toe. Kalayla being very opinionated speaks her mind about the old woman living on the top floor and her choice of dressing. The two form a relationship and grow fond of each other over time.
Lena had been in an abusive marriage before her husband died. She could have left but she was afraid that Joey her husband wouldn't let her see her sons if she did. She continued to endure physical and sexual abuse and was unable to raise her boys the way she had hoped to. Joey was always indoctrinating them to be arrogant and violent. She tried her best but Joey made it hellish for her so eventually, she gave up. Interacting with Kalayla conjured up memories of Lena's boys when they were her age. Lena didn't want Kalayla getting into any kind of trouble so she vowed to look out for her. She decided she wasn't going to give up as she did with her children.
When Kalayla discovers that her mother has been keeping a huge secret from her, she runs away. Lena calls for help from her friends and they come to the rescue. Kalayla finds refuge at Lena's house. Whenever there's tension at home she always turns to Lena who welcomes her and comforts her with delicious meals. Lena became a steady dependable confidant for Kalayla and Maureen. Lena's friends and family also grew fond of the pair and helped them in any way they could. Maureen and her daughter found a place to call home and a new family who loved them.
I loved the book mostly because I could relate to growing up without a father. The characters in this book were well developed and delightful. It's amazing how strangers can come into your life and become family. It is the unconditional love for one another that keeps families bonded rather than blood ties and when your family disowns you, it takes courage to forgive them. I think that life is all about second chances. We all make mistakes and we should all be given a chance for redemption. Jeannie exemplifies this in her writing. The other significant aspect I loved about the book is the empowerment of women. The women are portrayed as independent, hardworking, and astoundingly courageous.
The only thing I disliked about the book was that it was very predictable. Other than that the book was exceptionally well written. I give it a rating of 4 out of 4 stars. I didn't find any errors which led me to believe that the book was professionally edited. This book is great for readers who enjoy literary works about family.
******
Kalayla
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Kalayla by Jeannie Nicholas
