#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING PHENOMENONMore than 6 million copies soldA Reese Witherspoon x Hello Sunshine Book Club PickA Business Insider Defining Book of the Decade “I can’t even express how much I love this book! I didn’t want this story to end!”–Reese Witherspoon“Painfully beautiful.”–The New York Times Book ReviewFor years, rumors of the “Marsh Girl” have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet … 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.
Where the Crawdads Sing is at once an exquisite ode to the natural world, a heartbreaking coming-of-age story, and a surprising tale of possible murder. Owens reminds us that we are forever shaped by the children we once were, and that we are all subject to the beautiful and violent secrets that nature keeps.
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This book was amazingly beautiful. I really enjoyed Kya’s story.
One of my all time favorite reads! Great writing. Great story.
Lot of different reviews in this. I loved it. Couldn’t wait to find out killer. The tiwn was exactly like real life. The tiwn was hurtful and cruel. This girl needed someone on her side so badly. Hardly had much of a chance in life.
I couldn’t put it down, and was so sad when the last page of the last chapter was finished. What a remarkable story. I’ve recommended this book to so many people — my artist friends, my co-workers, my family — really everyone. I rarely read the same book twice, but this is a definite to make that short list.
One of best books I ever ever read.
Just finished this wonderful, refreshing story. It was unpredictable almost every page and whimsical at the same time about the marshes of North Carolina coastline and the nature of the marsh, the quiet life that happens in nature and the relationship between humans and nature. Kind of a nice love story.
The character development draws you in and keeps you reading.
A real page-turner. A joy to read! One of the most beautiful and evocative books I have ever read.
Where The Crawdads Sing is a remarkable coming of age story about a young girls survival, intertwined with murder and yes, there’s a bittersweet love story. It’s a mysterious, suspenseful, mesmerizing tale that takes place in the coastal marshes of North Carolina. The main character is an amazing girl named Kya, known as the Marsh Girl. She is truly a memorable and unforgettable one!! Abandoned by her family at a young age, she is left alone to fend for herself and survive. I was so emotionally connected to her throughout the story, as a mother, wanting to protect her. Amazed at the strength and courage she had to withstand all the adversities she encountered. I was filled with so much emotion, rooting for her the whole time! I highly recommend this book!
I really loved the world and the people Delia Owens imagined in this novel. Loved them all. I did not love the Audible edition, which is unusual for me. The narrator’s interpretation of the dialogue was distracting – that was the main problem for me. Just sayin’.
I recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys Southern literature. This book has all the elements you’re looking for: atmosphere, betrayal, dark themes, eccentric characters, forgiveness, irony, and plot twists. You can read the particulars of the story in any number of reviews. For me, the central issue for any novel I read is, “Does it fulfill its promises?” Yes, absolutely, Where the Crawdads Sing does.
One of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read.
I didn’t understand what has made people love this book so much. I found the book superficial, and the only thing of interest was depictions of the environment. I read it for a book group, but to me, it was a waste of time.
Pulitzer … Best book I have read in a long time. Wonder characters … very original … clean wholesome story about a secluded misunderstood girl accused of a crime by a backwoods community filled with insecurity and ignorance. Beautiful … well written … imagery of someone who has the understanding of a great story … I loved this book … and could not put it down!
This is the story of a young girl, abandoned by her family at the tender age of 10, that uses the wildlife in the swamp around her – the only thing that remains a constant in her life – to figure out life, love, and loss. The detail about the marsh birds, insects, and other animals is very detailed and explicit, and sometimes a bit much, but the author has used it to create a mesmerizing world for her protagonist to live in. Kya copes very well on her own and learns to take care of herself, but by doing so, she shuts out the outside world. The issues of prejudice are a theme throughout the book. First against the “marsh girl” as Kya is called, then against the coloreds that are segregated in their own town, but since the story takes place in the swamps somewhere in the deep south in the 1960s, that’s not a stretch to believe it’s how the people in this story would behave. What is harder to swallow is Kya’s never-ending self-isolation. She has many people that reach out to her, but she turns her back on every one of them always preferring the loneliness of the swamp. In the end, we learn that this self-educated, reclusive girl is very capable of taking care of herself.
Sooooooogoooooood. This enchanting and heartbreaking tale of a girl raised by the marshes in North Carolina sticks with you long after you put it down. Absolutely stunning setting and characters, and haunting story. It’s earned a place on my ‘fave books’ shelf.
One of my best reads of the year!
Just LOADED with implausible events to drive the narrative. Ridiculous.
Absolutely wonderful writing. I finished Where the Crawdads Sing last night, and I am so stuck on it. In a good way. I cannot stop thinking about that ending. No spoilers. It was wrapped up perfectly, as a book should be. All my questions were answered. I do not know if I can move onto another book anytime soon, this is how much this book affected me. Kya’s way of life was so different and sad, living all alone in the marsh, abandoned by so many. So many emotions were had while reading. I also am really liking Delia Owens writing style! I see more of her on my bookshelves in the future! I may re read the ending again, it was that good!
I loved this book; it was beautifully written with descriptions of the area where she lived that were so vivid, I could almost hear the birds singing. The heroine of the story is so appealing, so tragic and yet so strong.
Really loved reading it.
A definite page turner