On my blog today I’m sharing my thoughts on the stunning novel by Delia Owens, Where the Crawdads Sing. I only discovered this book just before Christmas and I can’t believe it’s only now that I’ve come across it.

BLURB
For years, rumors of the ‘Marsh Girl’ have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. So in late 1969, when handsome Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals immediately suspect Kya Clark, the so-called Marsh Girl. But Kya is not what they say. Sensitive and intelligent, she has survived for years alone in the marsh that she calls home, finding friends in the gulls and lessons in the sand. Then the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. When two young men from town become intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new life – until the unthinkable happens.
MY THOUGHTS
I finished Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens a couple of weeks ago, and I can’t stop thinking about it. When I first started reading it, I wasn’t expecting to be pulled as deeply into the novel as I was, it took me totally by surprise. I was captivated by the story of ‘The Marsh Girl,’ and I loved Delia Owen’s writing, which transports you to the marshland’s atmospheric setting.
Kya is one of the most memorable characters I’ve come across in a long while. She lives with her family on the outskirts of the nearby town, surrounded by marshland. From a young age, things are tough for Kya. Unable to live with her father any more, her mother abandons her and the rest of the family when Kya is very small. Soon her older siblings follow their mothers lead, leaving Kya alone with her abusive father. But Kya knows her father well, and she manages to co-exist with him over the next few years, until the day when he doesn’t come back.
I felt so frustrated for Kya. I couldn’t understand why the rest of her family had abandoned her, particularly her siblings, who could have taken her with them. It seemed so unfair that she was the one left behind at such a young age. Because of this, Kya has to grow up first. She has to provide for herself after her father abandons her as well. Kya also becomes the topic of a lot of gossip among the locals. That’s how she earns the nickname, ‘The Marsh Girl.’
This novel isn’t a fast-paced read. When I was reading it, I decided I wanted to take my time with it as I was enjoying the writing so much. We flick backwards and forwards from the late fifties and early sixties to 1969. In 1969 the body of a young man has been found. But we get to learn more about the background of this man in the scenes from earlier years. What is his connection to Kya? I also wanted to know why he had ended up dead? The police are treating his death as a murder, although some believe it was a tragic accident. But the police want to wrap the case up quickly.
There were moments towards the end of this book where I was literally holding my breath as I waited to find out what was going to happen next. Kya was the one character who I rooted for throughout the book. I wanted her to succeed in life and to find someone to spend her life with.
Where the Crawdads Sing is a masterpiece, it’s haunting, and it is beautifully written. It is one of the best novels I’ve read in a long while. I’m sure I’ll be thinking about this book for a long time to come. I highly, highly recommend it!
Publisher: Corsair
Publication date: 8th November 2018
Print length: 379 pages
Where the Crawdads Sing is available to buy:
This review makes me want to drop everything else on my TBR and read this book ASAP. It sounds like such a brilliant read and you’ve made me care about Kya just by how you describe her. Wonderful review, Jacob.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it, it’s a brilliant read!
LikeLike
Great review! I’m hoping to get to this book very soon 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I highly recommend it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t wait to read this one! You’ve given me a much better idea of what its all about from this review and I’m sure I’m going to love it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, I hope you enjoy it when you get the chance to read it!
LikeLike
Wonderful review Jacob! I wasn’t sure if I wanted to read this one but you’ve persuaded me that I need to!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wasn’t sure about it either when I started it, I only read it as it was the next book club read for the group I’m a member of, but I’m so glad I did.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So very chuffed that you liked this book as much as you did Jacob. It was my absolute favourite read of 2019. With almost 200 books read since then, I still consider it one of my all-time top reads. Check out my review while the story is still fresh in your mind.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really wish I’d heard about it sooner. It was such a good read!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, your review warms my heart, Jacob💜 Be prepared to be haunted for quite some time. I recall when I listened to the last word and turned to my husband and just stared. When he asked what was the matter, I told him I couldn’t describe what I just experienced. FYI, Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine is adapting the book for film.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes I heard Reese Witherspoon is adapting the book, I’m really looking forward to seeing what they do with it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve got less than 100 pages left of this book and I can already tell its going to be an all time favourite! Love this review 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, I’m sure I’ll definitely be thinking about it for a long time to come. I’m glad to hear that you’re enjoying it as well.
LikeLike
Absolutely beautiful review Jacob. I absolutely loved this book and it is the one I recommend the most. I listened to the audiobook and it was so haunting and atmospheric. I loved Kya and still think about her. It will be interesting to see if a movie can do it justice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, it’s such a good book isn’t it? I can’t wait to see how it translates to the big screen.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Links I’ve Enjoyed This Week – 10/01/2021 #WeeklyRoundUpPost 🔗📆 🔗 #SecretLibraryBookBlog – Secret Library Book Blog
Fab review! I’m glad to hear you enjoyed this book too. xx
LikeLike
Lovely review. I liked the sound of it. But heard it is an intense read. Not on my intention this year to read them
At the moment, This book didn’t call out my name so..
LikeLiked by 1 person