Reviews with content warning for Hate crime - Where the Crawdads Sing

Really beautiful book- have to give it 5 stars despite the gratuitous graphic sex depictions

Will trigger people for so many reasons - see content warnings

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creationwing's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

The story was fine, and the descriptions of nature were quiet good. I found it could be verbose at times, and, as others have pointed out, the dialogue was wasn't the strongest. While I liked the characters like Jumpin and such, the author builds tension only to accidentally deflate it too quickly and too soon. I have mixed feelings about this book. I got emotional at times, but it was lacking something that made the transition between the two (eventually coinciding) timelines choppy. The time jump in the last few chapters felt especially abrupt.

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literallysam's review against another edition

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emotional informative inspiring mysterious sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I absolutely LOVED it. The imagery in this book is so mesmerizing. I can't begin to describe the beauty in Delia' words, the scenery she implants straight into your head - it's so enchanting.
She made me fall in love with an environment I’ve never set foot in. Her passion for nature and her expertise as a nature writer, is evident. I could clearly see everything in my mind and I absolutely loved all facts related to insects and animals. The Author's knowledge of nature really came out and it was so informative.

Kya on the other hand is so relatable. I’ve never come across any other literary work that so literally and perfectly describes human loneliness through nature and sound... this book will make you feel it with her. Her story is so well written that you can't help but hurt for her, root for her, cheer her on and wish to protect her from the prejudices she endures. Her observations and journey within the marsh are so intriguing to read.

However there was some places in the book that felt a bit slow. Plus the surprise ending seemed way too abrupt- as though the author got tired of writing and just wanted to get the book over with.

Nonetheless, the book is well deserving of all the hype it has gathered. Read it.

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briskknight's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I thought I would dislike this book when I first starting reading. I did not like the imagery and it made me uncomfortable. I don't like marsh, mud, humidity, etc. I do like boats and the water, but not that area of the water. I am so glad that I kept reading. To say that the setting grew on me is an understatement, I yearn for it now. This novel is absolutely incredible! Fantastic. I saw the ending coming but was so engrossed that I forgot the prediction, so it still hit me hard. I enjoy the mix of introspection and slice of life and murder investigation/trial. There is something that I think would have tied things together better, which makes this just shy of 5 stars. That being said, this book is much closer to 5 stars than 4.

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