#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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Exquisite in literally everyway. The painstaking beauty of this coming of age mystery will break your heart, and yet also lift you. It is said that good writing makes you feel.This must be fantastically superb writing as, it makes you feel EVERY THING. There are two alternate time lines to this novel.One of which is coming of age, in which the main character Kya, is growing up and trying to survive in the marshes of North Carolina.The other is a mystery centered around a murder, that has taken place in the town.Love, abuse, abandonment, betrayal, survival, lessons, growing pains, ignorance, lies, beauty, tragedy, sorrow….”Where The Crawdads Sing” is a beautiful rich tapestry of themes, filled with deep layers, characters that are as real as you & me, and lush lyrical prose that gives incredible descriptions of the natural world, and make it jump off the page! Delia Owens has managed to write a debut novel that can make you laugh out loud, cry real tears, become angry at injustice, or awe of beauty, all while taking the reader on a journey through twists and turns that keep the truth of the plot shrouded in mystery! ‘Where the Crawdads Sing’ should and will most likely; become a definite favorite, an instant classic, and perhaps most impressive- completely and utterly, unforgettable!
I am very Thankful to Penguin First to Read for the oppurtunity to read an advanced galley of this title! In exchange I have posted an unbiased review that is entirely my own personal opinion.
Very unusual story with an unexpected ending. Great characters throughout.
Loved this book! I didn’t want it to finish.
Book of the year!
A book about courage and taking control. It is a book abut doing more that one thinks he can do. The ending is not predictable even though there are clues throughout. Of particular interest is the author’s treatment of dialect.
I really enjoyed this audiobook, everything about it. The narration was excellent and the writing was so good. This is a coming of age story with a little history of the North Carolina coast, some biology lessons, some romance and first love, and part murder mystery. The chapters alternated between different years, but it was not at all confusing. If this one isn’t on your list, put it there!
Love a story with flawed characters; and everyone in this book is flawed. This is a book I have recommended to several of my friends. I can usually guess the endings of books but this one had me saying “You’ve got to be kidding me!”
When I started reading was so captured didn’t want to put the book down. Great book and very original and well written. Loved it
Beautiful descriptive writing and a good story.
This book leaves you haunted and really thinking. It’s a must read…cannot put down very different story…I loved it and highly recommend it.
And unusual plot, beautiful command of the language, exceptional understanding of a young girl and a deep love of nature all come together in an elegant book.
I read daily and this is the best book I have read in 2018.
I could not put this book down. Sad commentary on how we exclude people due to our own and societal prejudices. Beautiful descriptions of the marshes and nature. Poignant intersections of poetry. Loved this book!
Exquisite nature descriptions and sensitive characters weave around a mystery.
Could not put it down.
One of my favorite books this year!
So beautifully written – descriptions and characters. Absolutely loved it!
One of the most beautiful and heartbreaking works I have ever read.
This book club book started slow for me and I was afraid something terrible was going to happen to Kya the lead character. As I persevered I fell in love with Kya’s strength and survival skills. I think it’s the best book I have read this year.
On everybody’s best seller list right now and a nominee for the Southern Writers Award 2018. Should win in my opinion. This author, as a former scientist and nature writer (Cry of the Kalahari), is incredibly gifted. The empathy with her characters, with description and turn of phrase; is downright lyrical and at the same time, very realistic. This book deserves 10 stars. I loved it