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Kilingiri
Kilingiri’ will appeal to readers who enjoy sagas with elements of romance, mystery and drama, loss and gain, religion and redemption played out in exotic locations over a timespan of thirty years. It addresses the issues of celibacy within the Catholic church, the heartbreak of rejection and separation, the difficulties of raising a child as a single parent, the effects of post natal depression on a marriage and the family, the healing power of forgiveness, and culminates in what we all dream of … a happy ever after scenario.
272 pages, Paperback
First published October 7, 2012
176 people want to read
About the author
Janna Gray
1 book13 followersI was born in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and educated at convent schools in Kodaikanal, South India and Derbyshire, UK before training to become a teacher in London. My husband and I lived and worked in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Thailand and are currently in Dubai, UAE. I’ve always loved writing – I had to really, as at boarding school I was expected to write home every week (the letters were edited for whinges about the nuns and the food!) and as I grew older, before the advent of email and Skype, I continued to keep in touch with family and friends via letters. I kept diaries and wrote short stories to entertain my younger sisters so progressing to writing a book seemed like a pretty good idea!
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 20, 2013
Kilingiri by Janna Gray.
This book assailed my senses; India was seen, heard, touched and felt. The characters carefully drawn and totally believable – the setting instantly drew you into the story. The plot meandered like a river through so much time and with trigger points which swept you along with the current of the narrative. The ups and downs made you gasp and cry - a huge book, of dimensions and a canvas of India, England and Ireland. Be prepared to travel with Nina through her life’s story and cry and be happy for her. A young girl’s story of sorrow and success, hardship and joy. Janna Gray has written a wonderful story, which I loved reading in the style of a saga covering many years and ending with a satisfaction which all good stories have as an ending. After reading the e-book I realise that I went to school with Janna Grey. I am British and work in India. Her attention to details about this country was amazing. I did not realise this fact till the end of the book. I feel this is an excellent book for all ages and will definitely stock it in my school library as fiction reading. Once you pick up Killingiri you will not be able to stop reading. This is a 5 star experience. I enjoyed every minute I spent reading this book.
This book assailed my senses; India was seen, heard, touched and felt. The characters carefully drawn and totally believable – the setting instantly drew you into the story. The plot meandered like a river through so much time and with trigger points which swept you along with the current of the narrative. The ups and downs made you gasp and cry - a huge book, of dimensions and a canvas of India, England and Ireland. Be prepared to travel with Nina through her life’s story and cry and be happy for her. A young girl’s story of sorrow and success, hardship and joy. Janna Gray has written a wonderful story, which I loved reading in the style of a saga covering many years and ending with a satisfaction which all good stories have as an ending. After reading the e-book I realise that I went to school with Janna Grey. I am British and work in India. Her attention to details about this country was amazing. I did not realise this fact till the end of the book. I feel this is an excellent book for all ages and will definitely stock it in my school library as fiction reading. Once you pick up Killingiri you will not be able to stop reading. This is a 5 star experience. I enjoyed every minute I spent reading this book.
May 22, 2013
This is a beautiful painting of a book, its exotic location magnificently woven such that you can feel yourself right there with Nina as she moves through the ups and downs of her life. Right from the beginning I was hooked into wanting to know where we were leading. Nina's story may be universal but that is precisely what makes it so appealing in so far as the reader can readily identify with her dilemmas and reactions - and agree or disagree with her decisions, which draws you further into the plot. I loved the fact that we see the saga right through to the end and the story is much the richer for allowing us to visit Nina's life as she gets older and to witness the effect that her younger life has on her more mature self.
June 28, 2013
Kilingiri
By Janna Gray
At first I had a hard time getting into Kilingiri. There was a lot of description and very little dialog in the first chapter. Nina Maitland is very pregnant in Srinagar India. The author describes it beautifully and I could almost feel and smell the scene. However, it opens with a very long explanation of why Nina is unmarried, pregnant and alone on a houseboat. It just seemed a lot of back story so soon in the book. But the plot comes back to the present afterward and flows pretty well from then on.
Kilingiri spans over thirty years in the life of Nina and her family, her loves and losses. There are several destinations throughout from Kilingiri, Thailand, Ireland, and England to France. The author introduces each setting with vivid description that sets the mood for that section. After which the reader is not bogged down by heavy description. It instead concentrates on character development and dialog.
Nina and Father Michael McKinley are characters that surprise the reader with their reactions to the situations presented to them. I was in disbelief on the things they faced and how they seemed to face them with positive attitudes for the most part. I would've cut my losses several times during the trials Nina experienced. She is an exceptionally strong character with a good heart. She doesn't always make sound decisions but she sticks by her decisions, showing a person of personal strength.
I didn't like all the things that happened in Kilingiri. I thought some plot devices were a bit too simplistic or then alternately too dramatized, but once I got further into the book I was able to take it for it was. The subject matter made this just an ok read for me, but with great description, lively dialog, a choice of time period that really works, and a plot that kept me wondering "ok, what could possibly happen now?" I have to give it 4 of 5 stars.
The plot has drama, steadfast love, exotic locales- well to me who has only been to the Caribbean- some intrigue and an ending that brings everything together nicely.
I recommend this read for those who believe in forever love and those who like to travel, if only by book.
Read more reviews by Cherese Vines at www.cheresevinescharmingwords.wordpre...
By Janna Gray
At first I had a hard time getting into Kilingiri. There was a lot of description and very little dialog in the first chapter. Nina Maitland is very pregnant in Srinagar India. The author describes it beautifully and I could almost feel and smell the scene. However, it opens with a very long explanation of why Nina is unmarried, pregnant and alone on a houseboat. It just seemed a lot of back story so soon in the book. But the plot comes back to the present afterward and flows pretty well from then on.
Kilingiri spans over thirty years in the life of Nina and her family, her loves and losses. There are several destinations throughout from Kilingiri, Thailand, Ireland, and England to France. The author introduces each setting with vivid description that sets the mood for that section. After which the reader is not bogged down by heavy description. It instead concentrates on character development and dialog.
Nina and Father Michael McKinley are characters that surprise the reader with their reactions to the situations presented to them. I was in disbelief on the things they faced and how they seemed to face them with positive attitudes for the most part. I would've cut my losses several times during the trials Nina experienced. She is an exceptionally strong character with a good heart. She doesn't always make sound decisions but she sticks by her decisions, showing a person of personal strength.
I didn't like all the things that happened in Kilingiri. I thought some plot devices were a bit too simplistic or then alternately too dramatized, but once I got further into the book I was able to take it for it was. The subject matter made this just an ok read for me, but with great description, lively dialog, a choice of time period that really works, and a plot that kept me wondering "ok, what could possibly happen now?" I have to give it 4 of 5 stars.
The plot has drama, steadfast love, exotic locales- well to me who has only been to the Caribbean- some intrigue and an ending that brings everything together nicely.
I recommend this read for those who believe in forever love and those who like to travel, if only by book.
Read more reviews by Cherese Vines at www.cheresevinescharmingwords.wordpre...
March 17, 2013
Janna Gray really knows how to spin a wonderful tale. Her writing is elegant and beautiful. Not only is her description of India and eventually Ireland enchanting, but the places become so important to the story that its like its own character. Once you are drawn in by the beauty of the background the story falls into place. We first meet Nina who is an unwed mother during a time that free love is popular but unwed pregnancy is still very taboo. While Nina struggles to overcome the pain of her abandonment she is soon administered another blow by losing her child. It is at this time that she meets Father Michael. She and Father Michael develop a close friendship that soon develops into love. Their love is a forbidden, controversial love that comes instantly with obstacles that only they can attempt to overcome together. It is their love that is ultimately used against them. Though through a wonderful accident Nina becomes pregnant again but only to lose Michael for 17 yrs. After their long separation and a now troubled teenager they have some new obstacles but many of the same ideas on their forbidden love still remain strong. In the end, will love hold together a family or be used to tear it apart?
Nina and Michael’s love story is one that can only be described as epic. They have to go through more obstacles and criticisms about a love that feels so very natural to them. While reading this you really begin to question the idea of those behind organized religion. You will pose the question how can people who profess to love all of God’s children use love as a weapon. Fortunately, our characters of Michael and Nina are strong enough to face these obstacles but even with a second chance and even more issues you begin to wonder if one couple, even one with such intense love, overcome what they must face. Janna Gray’s Kilingiri was a phenomenal read that tantalizes you with the scenery but really comes through with the characters and the story. You won’t want to miss this book, but be ready to want to travel to the far corners of the world that Janna describes so eloquently.
Nina and Michael’s love story is one that can only be described as epic. They have to go through more obstacles and criticisms about a love that feels so very natural to them. While reading this you really begin to question the idea of those behind organized religion. You will pose the question how can people who profess to love all of God’s children use love as a weapon. Fortunately, our characters of Michael and Nina are strong enough to face these obstacles but even with a second chance and even more issues you begin to wonder if one couple, even one with such intense love, overcome what they must face. Janna Gray’s Kilingiri was a phenomenal read that tantalizes you with the scenery but really comes through with the characters and the story. You won’t want to miss this book, but be ready to want to travel to the far corners of the world that Janna describes so eloquently.
October 26, 2014
Kashmir, Thailand, Ireland, France.
On a positive note, I loved the cover and some of the settings, especially in Kashmir, were wonderful. Unfortunately there wasn't much else about this book that impressed me. I am baffled by the number of five star reviews - in my opinion, this was not a well written book. There were three main reasons why I struggled with this read. Firstly the number of colloquialisms and slang words used - 'snot-rags', 'sprog', 'naff', 'attack of the wobblies', which may have their place in conversation, but were jarring when used within the main text. Secondly, I found the book jumped suddenly at times, with no warning and the narrative felt irregular and clunky. Thirdly, some of the events were just not believable. I can't elaborate for fear of spoilers, but I will just say that the circumstances surrounding the conception of the second child did not ring true for me.
The main character is Nina Maitland, who finds herself pregnant in Kashmir in 1968. Her unwed state makes her pregnancy shameful and when she loses the baby at birth, she isolates herself on a houseboat away from everyone. When a love interest comes along and she starts to recover from the trauma of the birth, it is surrounded by taboos that she cannot overcome.
Events in Thailand stretched my ability to believe in the story, but after these are resolved, Nina returns to Ireland and makes a peaceful home for herself and her son.
Nina's life seems to jump from one drama to the next and the whole novel felt rather Mills and Boon in its style. However, it did touch on some interesting points - illegitimate birth, the problems of being a priest in the Catholic Church, prison life in Thailand and multiple inter-family relationships.
Having stuck my neck out here and criticised this book, I should just add that I was not alone in my opinions - at least two members of our book group abandoned it in spite of the fact that we were due to discuss it, they found it just too far - fetched. It will be interesting to see what the others thought when we meet next week.
On a positive note, I loved the cover and some of the settings, especially in Kashmir, were wonderful. Unfortunately there wasn't much else about this book that impressed me. I am baffled by the number of five star reviews - in my opinion, this was not a well written book. There were three main reasons why I struggled with this read. Firstly the number of colloquialisms and slang words used - 'snot-rags', 'sprog', 'naff', 'attack of the wobblies', which may have their place in conversation, but were jarring when used within the main text. Secondly, I found the book jumped suddenly at times, with no warning and the narrative felt irregular and clunky. Thirdly, some of the events were just not believable. I can't elaborate for fear of spoilers, but I will just say that the circumstances surrounding the conception of the second child did not ring true for me.
The main character is Nina Maitland, who finds herself pregnant in Kashmir in 1968. Her unwed state makes her pregnancy shameful and when she loses the baby at birth, she isolates herself on a houseboat away from everyone. When a love interest comes along and she starts to recover from the trauma of the birth, it is surrounded by taboos that she cannot overcome.
Events in Thailand stretched my ability to believe in the story, but after these are resolved, Nina returns to Ireland and makes a peaceful home for herself and her son.
Nina's life seems to jump from one drama to the next and the whole novel felt rather Mills and Boon in its style. However, it did touch on some interesting points - illegitimate birth, the problems of being a priest in the Catholic Church, prison life in Thailand and multiple inter-family relationships.
Having stuck my neck out here and criticised this book, I should just add that I was not alone in my opinions - at least two members of our book group abandoned it in spite of the fact that we were due to discuss it, they found it just too far - fetched. It will be interesting to see what the others thought when we meet next week.
September 8, 2014
I was granted this book to read by GMTA Publishing [Imprint: Libertine Press] Via Net Galley. I was very pleased to be able to get this, read and review it.
I found it very hard work at the start as it had a lot of detail in the first half of the book, it was essential though as it had to explain why Nina was living in a houseboat and pregnant. It took off in the second half of the book and I enjoyed every moment of it.
Its around when being pregnant, unmarried is so frowned upon that she is very ashamed but mixed with her emotions in having her baby.
Thoroughly enjoyed it. The author has proved herself a brilliant story teller.
I found it very hard work at the start as it had a lot of detail in the first half of the book, it was essential though as it had to explain why Nina was living in a houseboat and pregnant. It took off in the second half of the book and I enjoyed every moment of it.
Its around when being pregnant, unmarried is so frowned upon that she is very ashamed but mixed with her emotions in having her baby.
Thoroughly enjoyed it. The author has proved herself a brilliant story teller.
April 26, 2014
It's hard to express what I didn't like about this book, exactly, except that it felt like the narrative just went from tragedy to tragedy without enough emotional impact of each. It has what I call Party of Five syndrome - too many bad things happening to one family making the whole unbelievable. I did enjoy all the exotic settings.
August 1, 2013
The descriptions of the areas the book is set in immediately transports you there. Thus you are able to ride the ups and downs of life with the characters.
Once started it is impossible to put down and is one of the best books I have read this year
Once started it is impossible to put down and is one of the best books I have read this year
November 1, 2014
A book that started well, with a taut storyline, then turned into a 'book by committee'. I felt the author was taking too much advice from others and leaving in too much detail. Far too long, and far too neat an ending. I only finished it because I am slightly OCD about leaving a book unread.
May 24, 2013
Love it.
June 9, 2013
Awesome read and beautifully written from start to finish...Couldn't put it down!
August 20, 2014
This author is an excellent storyteller. She introduces many interesting situations and characters throughout her book. However, I would have liked to see some situations more developed. For example After Josh is born we don't meet him again until high school. Also, I didn't get an understanding of all of the struggles Nina must have experienced prenatally especially the last several months before the birth of Maya.
October 8, 2014
A relatively good read. Nice descriptions of India/Indian life and how conservative Indian and British colonial thinking was. The shame of a pregnancy out of wedlock and later the treatment by the 'Catholic church' of a priest who 'changes' his mind. But, I agree with others too much tragedy for one family. Also, I felt after the
Initial setting in India the narrative jumped too fast and become less realistic.
Initial setting in India the narrative jumped too fast and become less realistic.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews