Review of Kalayla

[Draggnow]

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

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4 out of 4 stars

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Lena Barzetti is an elderly lady who stays by herself. She keeps herself busy by attending to her late husband's business and staying connected with her childhood friends, Carlotta and Mattwo. She notices a young girl who is always hanging around her apartment block and befriends both the girl and her mother. This budding friendship will create the avenue for secrets to be unearthed and for mysteries to be resolved.

Kalayla is a story about new beginnings, about pain and forgiveness, most importantly, it is a story that shows the reader the extent to which a person will go to protect the one they love.

I like the character development in the book. Lena shows her years of experience when dealing with Kalayla's antics, she is constantly offering her advice to Kalayla especially when it comes to matters that seem to interest Kalayla more than usual such as her mother's birthday party. Maureen, on her part, appears to be struggling with the cards that life has dealt her. She puts in her best efforts but it is obvious she is not doing so well in her attempts at being a role model for her daughter. She is yet to completely figure out what is expected of her as a parent and this is rubbing off poorly on Kalayla. The importance which the author attaches to family ties is evident throughout the book as she explains the ties that bind Carlotta to Lena and the romantic history which Lena and Mattwo share. The author uses a unique first-person style of writing such that each chapter reads like it is presented from that particular individual's viewpoint.

I do not have any complaints about this book as there is nothing that stands out about it which I did not like.

Drama genre readers and Fiction genre followers will appreciate the content of this book. The storyline is centred on subjects which were as relevant back in the last millennium as they are today. Racism may not be as obvious as it was back in the early twentieth century but it remains a very sensitive subject in this present day.

Jeannie Nicholas sets the bar with Kalayla. She weaves a story together quite well, dropping a bit of mystery here and there, while leaving a reader with enough clues along the line to put together their own impression of how the conclusion of the story will turn out. The editing is quite professional as I found very few errors in it. I rate this book, 4 out of 4 stars.

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Kalayla
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