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A review by wordsofclover
Kala by Colin Walsh
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
When Mush, Helen and Joe all find themselves back in their hometown of Kinlough (or in Mush's instance, he never left), they are haunted by memories of their intense friendship as teenagers and their relationship with Kala who disappeared when she was 15, leaving devastation and confusion in her wake. When a body is found on a building site and confirmed to be Kala, everything her friends thought they knew is thrown into the air and questions need to be answered.
This was brilliant reading for me. The story is so tight, and the writing superb - I loved how Colin Walsh was able to build this town of Kinlough which, during certain times of the year, is busy and rowdy due to heavy tourism but sleepy at other times. The feeling of the story is tense, and it has so much atmosphere and with the past storyline leading up to Halloween, this book has all the vibes you want for autumnal reading without being 'in your face' about it.
I loved the characters and how well we got to know them - mysterious but insecure ands vulnerable Kala, Helen who appears cold but is full of heart, Aidan the exact type of brash, vulgar teenager you see everywhere but is actually hiding a world of hurt and abuse inside of him, Joe who is handsome and successful in the eyes of others but is actually a coward and then Mush, sweet Mush who is kind and courageous, and loves fiercely.
This isn't a mystery book that is about the 'whodunnit' but it's more of a brilliant gaze at the town of Kinlough itself, how it's run and who really holds all the power and the money. It also looks at the intensity that is teenage friendship and first love - those hazy, mad days you can run around town with no expectations or responsibilities in a way you're never able to replicate as you get older and life changes you, hardens you.
The book also in a way explored misogyny from the expectations men and young boys may have on women in their lives, and the dangerous way of this thinking - as well as the type of slurs men will use to hurt and belittle the women in their lives. I absolutely loved the gentle friendship Mush had with the girls (both past and present) and the gorgeous picture of a young guy enjoying being around the softness and silliness of teenage girls and watching movies, doing hair etc without it being romantic or sexual. It was really nice.
I couldn't rip my eyes away from this story as we reached the conclusion and the reveals and everything broke my heart in a myriad of ways. I can't say I'm completely happy about some of the questions that remained by the ending but I just thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
This was brilliant reading for me. The story is so tight, and the writing superb - I loved how Colin Walsh was able to build this town of Kinlough which, during certain times of the year, is busy and rowdy due to heavy tourism but sleepy at other times. The feeling of the story is tense, and it has so much atmosphere and with the past storyline leading up to Halloween, this book has all the vibes you want for autumnal reading without being 'in your face' about it.
I loved the characters and how well we got to know them - mysterious but insecure ands vulnerable Kala, Helen who appears cold but is full of heart, Aidan the exact type of brash, vulgar teenager you see everywhere but is actually hiding a world of hurt and abuse inside of him, Joe who is handsome and successful in the eyes of others but is actually a coward and then Mush, sweet Mush who is kind and courageous, and loves fiercely.
This isn't a mystery book that is about the 'whodunnit' but it's more of a brilliant gaze at the town of Kinlough itself, how it's run and who really holds all the power and the money. It also looks at the intensity that is teenage friendship and first love - those hazy, mad days you can run around town with no expectations or responsibilities in a way you're never able to replicate as you get older and life changes you, hardens you.
The book also in a way explored misogyny from the expectations men and young boys may have on women in their lives, and the dangerous way of this thinking - as well as the type of slurs men will use to hurt and belittle the women in their lives. I absolutely loved the gentle friendship Mush had with the girls (both past and present) and the gorgeous picture of a young guy enjoying being around the softness and silliness of teenage girls and watching movies, doing hair etc without it being romantic or sexual. It was really nice.
I couldn't rip my eyes away from this story as we reached the conclusion and the reveals and everything broke my heart in a myriad of ways. I can't say I'm completely happy about some of the questions that remained by the ending but I just thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, and Misogyny