Inspiration and Influence: The Books & Films Behind Kala
Colin Walsh, author of Kala, our July Book of the Month, shares the novels that inspired his own brilliant, literary thriller.
The Secret History, Donna Tartt
Truly deserving of the accolade Modern Classic, Donna Tartt's cult bestseller The Secret History is a remarkable achievement - both compelling and elegant, dramatic and playful.
Under the influence of their charismatic classics professor, a group of clever, eccentric misfits at an elite New England college discover a way of thinking and living that is a world away from the humdrum existence of their contemporaries. But when they go beyond the boundaries of normal morality their lives are changed profoundly and forever.
Cat’s Eye, Magaret Atwood
Elaine Risley, a painter, returns to Toronto to find herself overwhelmed by her past. Memories of childhood - unbearable betrayals and cruelties - surface relentlessly, forcing her to confront the spectre of Cordelia, once her best friend and tormentor, who has haunted her for forty years.
The Girls, Emma Cline
Evie Boyd is fourteen and desperate to be noticed. It's 1969 and everywhere the heat of a Californian summer beats down and restless, empty days stretch ahead. Until she sees them. The girls. Hair long and uncombed, jewelry catching the sun. A scattering of young women who are everything she is not, each utterly sure and at one with everything seemingly beyond Evie’s reach. And at their centre, Suzanne, black-haired and beautiful.
Willingly, she begins to drop into their tranquilised circle, oblivious of the danger that sits so cruelly at its centre. If not for Suzanne, she might not have gone. But, intoxicated by her and the life she promises, Evie follows the girls back to the decaying ranch where they live.
Was there a warning? A sign of what was coming? Or did Evie know already that there was no way back?
A Brief History of Seven Killings, Marlon James
Jamaica, 1976.
Seven gunmen storm Bob Marley's house, machine guns blazing. The reggae superstar survives, but the gunmen are never caught. From the acclaimed author of The Book of Night Women comes a dazzling display of masterful storytelling exploring this near-mythic event. Spanning three decades and crossing continents, A Brief History of Seven Killings chronicles the lives of a host of unforgettable characters - slum kids, one-night stands, drug lords, girlfriends, gunmen, journalists, and even the CIA.
The Mare, Mary Gaitskill
When Velveteen Vargas, an eleven-year-old Fresh Air Fund kid from Brooklyn, comes to stay with a couple in upstate New York, what begins as a two-week visit blossoms into something much more significant. Soon Velvet finds herself torn between her hosts - Ginger, a failed artist and shakily recovered alcoholic and Paul, a college professor - and her own tormented mother. Velvet's one constant becomes her newly discovered passion for horse riding, and her affection for an abused, unruly mare. A profound and stirring novel about how love and family are shaped by place, race and class, The Mare is a stunning exploration of the sometimes unexpected but profound connections made throughout our lives.
On Screen
Twin Peaks
A cult classic television series created by David Lynch and Mark Frost, blending mystery, surrealism, and small-town charm. Set in the fictional town of Twin Peaks, the show follows FBI agent Dale Cooper as he investigates the murder of a young woman named Laura Palmer, unraveling a complex web of secrets and supernatural elements.
True Detective (season 1)
A critically acclaimed crime drama series created by Nic Pizzolatto, brimming with dark and gritty storytelling. Each season features a different self-contained storyline, exploring complex characters and delving into the depths of human nature.
Stand By Me
Adapted from Stephen King's novella The Body, this heartfelt and timeless classic follows a group of four young boys who embark on a journey to find the body of a missing teenager. A bittersweet coming-of-age tale of childhood friendship and innocence.
Blue Velvet
Dream-like and unsettingly, Blue Velvet is a neo-noir mystery directed by David Lynch, exploring the dark underbelly of a seemingly idyllic small town. The story revolves around Jeffrey, who becomes entangled in a dangerous web of intrigue after discovering a severed ear, after which he is drawn into a world of violence, desire, and bizarre characters.
Chinatown
Another classic neo-noir mystery, Roman Polanski’s Chinatown is set in 1930s Los Angeles and follows private investigator Jake Gittes, hired to investigate an infidelity case, leading him into a dangerous conspiracy…
