Review of Kalayla
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Alysha Townsend
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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 a heart warming novel centered around three generations of women, all of whom have struggled with the hardships life has thrown at them. Lena, a 72 year old headstrong buisness women is filled with worry when she notices a little mixed race girl, who she soon knows as Kalayla, mindlessly wandering around the streets by herself, reminding her of when her four boys were young. Lena can't help but find herself constantly reflecting on her past, of all the mischief her boys got in and her abusive husband who seemed hell bent on inflicting pain and teaching her 'lessons'. Could she have done anything differently? Could she have been a better mother? These haunting thoughts are what drives her to make it her mission to help keep Kalayla off of the streets and out of trouble, something she failed to do with her boys. Soon, Lena also becomes acquainted with Kalayla's mother Maureen, a single white mother who unfortunately has suffered first hand the difficulties of being married to a black man, from losing her closest friends to being kicked out of her family. Her suffering doesn't end there, with her husband dying from a reckless racing accident leaving her to raise a young child by herself, juggling two jobs to provide for her as well as trying to give her daughter the quality time any child deserves. Lena can easily relate to Maureen's tragic past, in putting your all into being a good mother but continually feeling like you are failing. In spite of her better judgement, Lena decides to get involved in these strangers lives and attempt to pull them out of the hole they are sinking in. The more Lena gets to know them, the more disturbing facts she uncovers. She's aware she shouldn't get herself mixed up in their mess but her anxious heart won't allow her to turn her back on them, she is determined not to make the same mistake she made in the past or she could never forgive herself. The three of them soon form an unbreakable bond, and without realising it become the loving, reliable family each of them lacked before.
Jeannie makes it absolutely impossible not to fall head over hills in love with these three characters, and in my opinion, it's their unique and charming personalities that really makes this book an exceptional read. Lena is witty, sarcastic and extremely caring, but certainly not fragile like you would expect an old lady to be, her distressing past has definitely toughened her up. Maureen is an overbearing mother who is always worried and concerned for her daughter, turning the smallest problem, like Kalayla not wanting to go on a school trip, and making it seem like the end of the world. Single mothers can find comfort in these two characters by realising that they aren't alone and in fact, its difficulties that all mother's face. The character growth of Kalayla is inspiring, although very independent and stubborn throughout, her foul mouth and attitude mellows and she begins to trust and rely on people again just like an 11 year old should. Tactfully, Jeannie only created these three main characters, meaning each were very well developed making it feel like I knew them in person.
Although I absolutely loved this book, I was left feeling frustrated with the abrupt ending, there were stories unfinished, loose endings and things left unsaid. Do Maureen and Rico finally get together? What happened to Uncle Clarence? Did Lena end up building a relationship with her granddaughters? How does Lena and Mattwo actually become a couple? I understand some things need to be left to the readers imagination, but I have so many questions that were left unanswered.
Apart from this, I thoroughly enjoyed Kalayla and I found the editorial work was close to perfection. Because of this, I think it is highly derving of a 3 out of 4 starts. I genuinely found myself hooked on this book, laughing out loud at the conversations between Lena and Kalayla, overwhelmed with emotion at the misfortune each face as well as crying happy tears when they begin to regard each other as family. I can guarantee Kalayla will be able to warm any cold heart!
Firstly, I have to say I think anyone would enjoy this book because it has it all; tragedy and heartbreak as well as love and hope. I also believe anyone who has been in a difficult situation, or has family problems would benefit a lot from reading this book as they may find it encouraging. I especially recommend this book to mothers.
******
Kalayla
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Kalayla by Jeannie Nicholas is a heart warming novel centered around three generations of women, all of whom have struggled with the hardships life has thrown at them. Lena, a 72 year old headstrong buisness women is filled with worry when she notices a little mixed race girl, who she soon knows as Kalayla, mindlessly wandering around the streets by herself, reminding her of when her four boys were young. Lena can't help but find herself constantly reflecting on her past, of all the mischief her boys got in and her abusive husband who seemed hell bent on inflicting pain and teaching her 'lessons'. Could she have done anything differently? Could she have been a better mother? These haunting thoughts are what drives her to make it her mission to help keep Kalayla off of the streets and out of trouble, something she failed to do with her boys. Soon, Lena also becomes acquainted with Kalayla's mother Maureen, a single white mother who unfortunately has suffered first hand the difficulties of being married to a black man, from losing her closest friends to being kicked out of her family. Her suffering doesn't end there, with her husband dying from a reckless racing accident leaving her to raise a young child by herself, juggling two jobs to provide for her as well as trying to give her daughter the quality time any child deserves. Lena can easily relate to Maureen's tragic past, in putting your all into being a good mother but continually feeling like you are failing. In spite of her better judgement, Lena decides to get involved in these strangers lives and attempt to pull them out of the hole they are sinking in. The more Lena gets to know them, the more disturbing facts she uncovers. She's aware she shouldn't get herself mixed up in their mess but her anxious heart won't allow her to turn her back on them, she is determined not to make the same mistake she made in the past or she could never forgive herself. The three of them soon form an unbreakable bond, and without realising it become the loving, reliable family each of them lacked before.
Jeannie makes it absolutely impossible not to fall head over hills in love with these three characters, and in my opinion, it's their unique and charming personalities that really makes this book an exceptional read. Lena is witty, sarcastic and extremely caring, but certainly not fragile like you would expect an old lady to be, her distressing past has definitely toughened her up. Maureen is an overbearing mother who is always worried and concerned for her daughter, turning the smallest problem, like Kalayla not wanting to go on a school trip, and making it seem like the end of the world. Single mothers can find comfort in these two characters by realising that they aren't alone and in fact, its difficulties that all mother's face. The character growth of Kalayla is inspiring, although very independent and stubborn throughout, her foul mouth and attitude mellows and she begins to trust and rely on people again just like an 11 year old should. Tactfully, Jeannie only created these three main characters, meaning each were very well developed making it feel like I knew them in person.
Although I absolutely loved this book, I was left feeling frustrated with the abrupt ending, there were stories unfinished, loose endings and things left unsaid. Do Maureen and Rico finally get together? What happened to Uncle Clarence? Did Lena end up building a relationship with her granddaughters? How does Lena and Mattwo actually become a couple? I understand some things need to be left to the readers imagination, but I have so many questions that were left unanswered.
Apart from this, I thoroughly enjoyed Kalayla and I found the editorial work was close to perfection. Because of this, I think it is highly derving of a 3 out of 4 starts. I genuinely found myself hooked on this book, laughing out loud at the conversations between Lena and Kalayla, overwhelmed with emotion at the misfortune each face as well as crying happy tears when they begin to regard each other as family. I can guarantee Kalayla will be able to warm any cold heart!
Firstly, I have to say I think anyone would enjoy this book because it has it all; tragedy and heartbreak as well as love and hope. I also believe anyone who has been in a difficult situation, or has family problems would benefit a lot from reading this book as they may find it encouraging. I especially recommend this book to mothers.
******
Kalayla
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Kalayla by Jeannie Nicholas
