#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.
more
One of the best books I have ever read. Book Club loved it. Friends loved it. A must read.
Best bookI read this year!!!
Lyrical descriptions, interesting characters. I struggled with the young child living on her own in isolation. Surprise ending although in retrospect the author had been building to it.
/ 5 stars
I enjoyed this so much I finished the 12 hour unabridged audio in two days!
What a stunning story of a young girl left abandoned to come of age all alone in the North Carolina marshland. Her family, her town, and her first love all let her down but she survived and persevered.
The vivid imagery and third person telling creates an atmosphere so rich and vibrant with an easy, flowing timeline.
I bought this book originally for all its rave reviews a couple years ago and read it at this time for an upcoming book discussion at a local library. I feel there will be lots to say about this beautiful and haunting tale.
A modern classic to be sure.
“I wasn’t aware that words could hold so much. I didn’t know a sentence could be so full.”
Simply, one of the best books I have ever read.
Excellent book. One book that actually lived up it’s billing. Great story; characters; plot movement.
I loved this book. I think of it often, long since finishing it. A strong female character who learned to rely on no one but herself
This book was beautifully written. The incredible descriptions of the natural world combined with a page-turning story made this one of my all time favorites.
Oh, my gosh – this book! FABULOUS.
So well written, the prose is amazing. Ms. Owens knocked this book out of the park. I was hooked from page one and devoured it within days – I loved it so much I insisted my mom read it. I am learning quickly she and I have completely different tastes in books – ha!
TINY SPOILER ALERT:
I’m sorry if you don’t like the murder in this book, or that the killer may go unpunished, BUT, there are times when, at least when I’m reading, I totally get it. And I totally got it.
This book will crawl under your skin and sit there, for months or longer. It will haunt you, as will the Marsh Girl, and the people in her life.
If you read one book this season, read Where the Crawdads Sing – it’s a thinker in an unexpected way.
In a world full of wonderful books, to be a number 1 best seller says it all – and Delia Owens “Where the Crawdads Sing” deserves to be #1 for a long time. If someone had just told me this was a story about an abandoned child who was not only able to live and grow up alone in the 30th century, but became an expert naturalist, artist and author, I have to admit I’d probably put it on my “maybe list to read. Fortunately. I started reading it and was immediately captured by Kya’s natural instinct to observe her surroundings and her intuitive response to thrive and survive. Sad, sweet and haunting, this is a must read for everyone! (Don’t wait for the movie!!)
Loved the writing and metaphors. This is one I will read again and again.
Following 1 girls life in the bayou was so interesting and insightful.
Part mystery, part coming of age, part Southern literature, this book has something for everyone. I probably would have picked it up sooner, (during the initial wave of publicity in 2019), but I was put off by the title, which sounded a little folksy and Southern for my taste. If you haven’t read this book yet, my recommendation is that you put aside any reservations you may have and move it to the top of your reading list. Delia Owens, a wildlife scientist who has written nonfiction books about her life Africa, takes a serious look at the lives of people and animals in the marshes of North Carolina, small-town life, social and racial prejudice, and the criminal justice system. The result is an interesting story line that is well-supported by the background setting. I raced through this book, wanting to prolong the inevitable end, but anxious to resolve the mystery. My only reservation is the pacing at the end of the story, which would have benefitted from better editing.
Very inspirational boom with a twist
There is one thing more than can be added to this long list of reviews, yes after 177,000 reviews there is something else helpful to be said to readers who have not yet read this incredible piece of literature bound to be a classic after serving its initiation time.
And that is, do not–no matter how tempted you are, no matter your curiosity, the draw, the ache, the urging to google: who is the poet Amanda Hamilton, the poet Kya quotes in the book. Don’t do it until you finish the book. It is a huge spoiler and will rob you of a piece of the experience, the journey, the story.
Now I feel better. I have saved a reader or two. Yes, I had looked up the poet, and sorely regretted it.
This is a magnificent story of a young girl who is left behind to survive in the swamps and the people who cast a prejudice eye at her. Kudos. High recommendation. One of the few books I could easily read again and again.
I read my library’s copy.
This is one of the books I’ll never forget. The trials that children go through especially years ago are so hard to fathom. Yet, some persevere and are stronger because of them. Absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it.
This is one of my favorite books! It kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next. Loved the characters and cannot wait for the movie! Very entertaining.
The characters stay with you.
I love books that introduce me to a new setting and especially if that setting has a body of water in it. I loved this book, the characters and the beautiful words created by the author. Excellent beach book and moving story.
I really enjoyed this book! Lyrical and metaphorical, it was a captivating story whose acclaim is justified.