#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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The author’s descriptions of the marsh where much of the story took place were poetic
I don’t think I could have loved a book more! It’s just wonderful, every single page!
I know its been given good ratings but it was really hard for me to get into and i thought the ending left the reader with some unanswered questions which i dont perfer.
I spent my childhood in Florida, sometimes running through the woods, often going to the beach, and “Crawdads” captured that wild humid heat beautifully. The characters are beautifully drawn, the story draws you in, I completely understand why this novel is a bestseller, it’s deserves to be!
This book started very slow but my patient paid off after the middle point where it started pacing so quickly and I couldn’t put it down! It was so sad to learn how the main character went through and how a whole town treated her. Before the jury’s verdict, I got goose pumps a whole time. And the twisty ending! This was the only way that she could survive and solve her agony. I empathized how she has carried heavy burden all by herself through her entire life. It reminded me how important it is for us to use our kindness and compassion regardless of the circumstances.
When the Crawdads Sing has been topping The New York Times Fiction Best Sellers of 2019 for several weeks now, so I was bouncing off the walls when I got a copy of the book and I finished reading it in 2 days! It’s a debut novel written by American author and zoologist Delia Owens who also wrote the memoirs, Cry of the Kalahari.
The story revolves around Kya Clark, who lives in the undisturbed town of Barkley Cove on the coast of North Carolina. The entire town refers to her as the “Marsh Girl.” Since the age of six she encounters a series of struggles as she gradually loses every member of her family. Completely abandoned by her loved ones, Kya courageously confronts life’s unfortunate events at such a young age; poverty and complete isolation in the wetland are her daily challenges. Her interaction with people is very limited as she quietly survives everyday fending for food and other necessities. As years go by, she comes across two different attractive men. Her aloofness, innocence, and power of survival first captures Tate’s heart who plays a big role in her coming-of-age. When Tate goes to a University quite far from the marsh and drops off the radar for years, Chase Andrews enters her life and lures her to believe that he intends to marry her. Tate returns with determination to get Kya’s forgiveness and tries to convince her that Chase is not who she thinks he is. When Kya finds out for herself that Chase is bound to marry another girl, she loses complete trust in men and decides never to trust anyone. Despite this, Tate continues to find ways to connect with her in hope that she will gain his trust again. Like Tate, Chase continues to pursue Kya, expecting to still be with her regardless of his marriage but one day, the quiet town receives a shocking news. Chase Andrews is dead and based from circumstantial evidences, Kya is the main suspect.
Delia Owens told the story so impeccably! She incorporated her vast knowledge on law, biology, literature and crime investigation. Its flavor of suspense came from how the story was told; jumping from past to present occurrences where the period switches every chapter, and each phase escalates the reader’s emotions, curiosity and great anticipation for the lead character’s fate. Kya Clark’s character embodies a survivor of illiteracy, poverty and ridicule. She’s in control of her own fate, despite the circumstances. Her interest in biology brings a new level of sophistication to her character and the fact that she shares this hobby with her first love, Tate makes such sweet and memorable connection.
I was very much in awe of the style of writing shown in this novel because it was as if the author has lived in the eyes of each character. Mostly, I enjoyed the court trials; they were entertaining and carefully written with both intellectual and rational lines. The book in its entirety has so many unforgettable quotes but I took note of my favorite line, “It’s like never having seen the stars, then suddenly seeing them.” I perceive it as seeing the joy of life amidst the constant struggles for which a lot of people will be able to relate. Overall, this novel is a page turner and not even Nostradamus can predict how it ends. Kya’s coming of age will animate the story, her survival will bring hope and the ending will lock anyone’s jaw. If you love Barbara Kingsolver, this book is definitely for you.
I loved it. The book is well written. This is one of my 5 forever favorites.
I really did enjoy reading this book. It was slow going at first. Seemed like a lot of description for the marsh area, but I guess that was needed for you to imagine the setting. Then I really got into it. It’s partly about an abandoned child, Kya, and her ability to cope and survive in the 60’s and also a mystery about the murder of Chase Andrews. There were times where I actually teared up. It was interesting to see how Delia Owens wove the investigation of Chase’s death into Kya’s story. A few twists and turns at the end and it shows you that people often can’t accept people different from themselves. Well done!
This book was recommended by a customer at one of my book signings. The author is an amazing writer. I love historical fiction, and this was set in mid-century America. Her detailed accounts of the geography, culture and animal life of the Carolina marshes blew me away. I am glad I read it, but, given my long-standing ignorance and disinterest in many of the habitats and forms of life she describes, I skipped over quite a few passages. I also am not as enamored as the general public seems to be with reading about abuse and depravation for the sake of entertainment. The ending was a surprise and there was so many subplots that did appeal to me that I can say it was a wonderful read.
This story pulls you in with fascinating characters, a rich setting, and a wonderful rhythm to the narrative. Great writing and storytelling.
Loved all the nature, beach descriptions. A bit unrealistic story.
Our book club read this book, and everyone loved it! First time everyone agreed!
Coming of age, mystery with a dead body, nature, romance – it’s all here!
a great story of perseverance and love lost and love gained
My favorite book of the year so far.
Beautifully written
I couldn’t put it down.
For me this was a tear jerker and loved every minute of this story!
This novel is basically a romance and a mystery, but it’s also so much more. The descriptions of nature are beautiful, moving—and the plot twists are engaging. It’s quite a success for a debut novel, and I wish Delia Owens a long, happy career!
Beautifully written, this spell-binding story set in the marshlands of North Carolina was so moving I couldn’t put it down. Owens captures the courageous nature of Kya as she clings to her independence to survive, yet she is able to trust the right person who gives her just what she needs to rise above her desolate circumstances. Haunting coming of age story with a whodunit mystery woven through its pages.