Review of Kalayla

Stephen Ogunwale · Post by **Stephen Ogunwale** » 27 Apr 2022, 18:35

[Following is a volunteer review of "Kalayla" by Jeannie Nicholas.]

4 out of 4 stars

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The book Kalayla written by Jeannie Nicholas, I’ll say is a very uniquely written book since it vividly portrays the lives of three different women from differing backgrounds in such a manner that their past lives and different actions determined their present situation. And also shows how important the decisions one makes early in life could be the determinant factor of how much one gets to receive from life itself later on. More importantly, the story depicts how essential it is for humans to grow and learn from our mistakes not excluding the fact that racism still exists in today's world as it is pictured there.

I love the fact that Jeannie Nicholas made Kalayla a personality that’s exceptionally self-absorbed, lonely, mischievous and yet a charming young girl that she is, which made Lena, the older of the three women aforementioned took an interest in her and having come to understand her situation, she wasn’t going to leave any stone unturned till she had helped Kalayla find herself having come to accept her failure in not helping her kids do that. This then further fostered the relationship between Lena, Maureen and Kalayla. This alone would make you love the book.

The relationship between Lena and Kalayla was one that you would forever love, the reason being that having grown from just casual and hostile neighbours, occasional visitors, to becoming friends and finally family. This was achieved because they allowed themselves to learn to love and appreciate and respect each others’ personalities and there’s no better thing that can happen to friends other than having the privilege of having someone you could be frank with each other, having no reason to want to hide a thing. All through the book, there is an evident case studies of serious growth in respect to the characters, one that we all need to emulate in today's world.

I don’t think I can find anything I dislike about the book because from the inception to the conclusion of the book, I was glued. Thanks to the mode of narration the writer adopted in passing his message across not excluding the fact the menace of racism that is still very much evident in our present-day is well represented. I, therefore, would reiterate that there’s nothing to dislike about the book.

I’m going to be honest here with my rating as I’ll be giving the book a 4 out of 4. I would have rated it more if need be because the book opened me up to some aspects of my life that I’ve not been very concerned about and more so the book made me realise some of the mistakes I’ve also made in past that had held me back in a way thereby helping see a probable way to grow beyond them.

I would very much love to recommend this book to deep readers and proactive thinkers, who are ready to rise above the dictates of the world around them, especially those who are ever ready to break the status quo, Kalayla would help do justice to that. This book is suitable for all irrespective of what one’s background, religion or beliefs could be.

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Kalayla
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Emmanuel Okotie · Post by **Emmanuel Okotie** » 02 May 2022, 01:34

Nice review.
Your second paragraph got me hooked.
I would love to read this book now.
This sounds like an interesting read. Plus Kayala seems like a great character.
Thank you for this review.

That_reader · Post by **That_reader** » 02 May 2022, 02:46

I've been sitting on the fence concerning reading this book. But now I'm very much interested in finding out how the relationship between Lena and Kalayla progressed. Also, the theme of the book is quite attention grabbing. Thank you!

Emmanuel Okotie · Post by **Emmanuel Okotie** » 02 May 2022, 02:49

That_reader wrote: ↑02 May 2022, 02:46 I've been sitting on the fence concerning reading this book. But now I'm very much interested in finding out how the relationship between Lena and Kalayla progressed. Also, the theme of the book is quite attention grabbing. Thank you!

Yeah. You're right about the theme

IniOluwa N · Post by **IniOluwa N** » 10 May 2022, 17:55

I have read the book, and I can say you have captured the very essence of the bookbin your review. I absolutely adored Kalayla’s character. I was also enamoured with the train of conversation involving Kalayla and Lena. Welldone.