The supernatural in Kala

Masculinity in Kala

The dead girl trope

The nostalgic vision

Genre and structure

The Irishness of Kala

should Kala be YA fiction?

Past and present storylines intersecting

Chris considers Kala with the help of YA author, creative writing academic and former fiction editor Dr Penni Russon. Walsh's novel has potent ingredients: homecoming, teen nostalgia, the dead girl trope, and a mystery to be solved. There are also supernatural elements. As such, Walsh spins many plates and Chris suggests it's necessary for him to shed some ideas to help Kala move along. Penni and Chris debate to which of these ideas the novel is most committed: does it intrigue us with devices (such as ghosts) only to leave them aside? The novel begins as literary fiction, but does it end as crime fiction, and could it also have been a YA novel? Contains spoilers.

 

Explore more from Irish Books Podcast

🌐 Website: https://irishbookspodcast.com
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/irishbookspodcast
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irishbookspodcast
💬 WhatsApp: Follow the Irish Books Podcast Channel

The Irish Books Podcast is supported by the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Monash University. Produced by East Coast Studio.

Chris considers Kala with the help of YA author, creative writing academic and former fiction editor <a href="https://research.monash.edu/en/persons/penni-russon/">Dr Penni Russon</a>. Walsh's novel has potent ingredients: homecoming, teen nostalgia, the dead girl trope, and a mystery to be solved. There are also supernatural elements. As such, Walsh spins many plates and Chris suggests it's necessary for him to shed some ideas to help Kala move along. Penni and Chris debate to which of these ideas the novel is most committed: does it intrigue us with devices (such as ghosts) only to leave them aside? The novel begins as literary fiction, but does it end as crime fiction, and could it also have been a YA novel? Contains spoilers.
&nbsp;
Explore more from Irish Books Podcast
🌐 Website: <a href="https://irishbookspodcast.com" data-inline-card="" data-card-data="">https://irishbookspodcast.com</a> 📘 Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/irishbookspodcast" data-inline-card="" data-card-data="">https://www.facebook.com/irishbookspodcast</a> 📸 Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/irishbookspodcast" data-inline-card="" data-card-data="">https://www.instagram.com/irishbookspodcast</a> 💬 WhatsApp: <a href="https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBq5wu4SpkCEVjepD42">Follow the Irish Books Podcast Channel</a>
The Irish Books Podcast is supported by the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Monash University. Produced by&nbsp;<a href="https://eastcoaststudio.com.au/">East Coast Studio</a>.

Each episode focuses on a single book to offer in-depth exploration of contemporary Irish writing, one of the the dominant presences in book shops, book groups, and writers’ festivals around the world. Guest experts on Irish culture join author and critic Chris Murray to explore the techniques, cultural resonances, and deeper meanings of the nation’s recent literature. Irish Books tackles prize winners and some of the biggest names in Irish writing today while also calling attention to emerging voices that deserve notice. Listeners will learn more about the books they loved and find out what they should read next.

Host @drchrismurray.bsky.social (Bluesky)

Explore more from Irish Books Podcast

🌐 Website: https://irishbookspodcast.com
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/irishbookspodcast
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irishbookspodcast
💬 WhatsApp: Follow the Irish Books Podcast Channel

Follow the show in your favourite podcast app so each new conversation arrives the day it’s released.

The Irish Books Podcast is supported by the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Monash University. Produced by East Coast Studio.

Each episode focuses on a single book to offer in-depth exploration of contemporary Irish writing, one of the the dominant presences in book shops, book groups, and writers&rsquo; festivals around the world. Guest experts on Irish culture join author and critic Chris Murray to explore the techniques, cultural resonances, and deeper meanings of the nation&rsquo;s recent literature. Irish Books tackles prize winners and some of the biggest names in Irish writing today while also calling attention to emerging voices that deserve notice. Listeners will learn more about the books they loved and find out what they should read next.
Host <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/drchrismurray.bsky.social">@drchrismurray.bsky.social </a>(Bluesky)
Explore more from Irish Books Podcast
🌐 Website: <a href="https://irishbookspodcast.com" data-inline-card="" data-card-data="">https://irishbookspodcast.com</a> 📘 Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/irishbookspodcast" data-inline-card="" data-card-data="">https://www.facebook.com/irishbookspodcast</a> 📸 Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/irishbookspodcast" data-inline-card="" data-card-data="">https://www.instagram.com/irishbookspodcast</a> 💬 WhatsApp: <a href="https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBq5wu4SpkCEVjepD42">Follow the Irish Books Podcast Channel</a>
Follow the show in your favourite podcast app so each new conversation arrives the day it&rsquo;s released.
The Irish Books Podcast is supported by the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Monash University. Produced by <a href="https://eastcoaststudio.com.au/">East Coast Studio.</a>