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A review by crazygoangirl
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
I’m very late to the party with this much hyped book, but finally read it.
Delia Owens, a new to me author, is apparently renowned for her nature writing and I could immediately understand why. Her very first line, “Marsh is not swamp.”, had me intrigued. I’d never thought of the differences between a marsh and swamp, indeed I hadn’t ever thought about marshes and swamps at all! Owens however hooked me from the start, with her beautifully detailed and authentic descriptions of the marsh - its flora and fauna, its seasonal character, and how it serves as a surrogate family for Kya in more ways than one! For me, the Marsh was an essential and powerful character that shaped Kya’s story, which would have been very different in any other setting.
Owens characters are well written, having depth and a fair amount of grey that makes them feel authentic. Pa, Ma, Jodie, and Tate are all believably flawed humans who fail her for reasons beyond her understanding. As a reader I understood their actions but it was hard to forgive. No child should go through what Kya had to, but despite the searingly bitter loneliness & the danger from humans, I’m glad she never forsook her home and the marsh. Ultimately I feel it was the right choice even though she paid a heavy price.
This book was a series of emotionally charged moments - Kya sitting on the porch steps watching her Mom walk away, bruised and broken and then waiting for her to return; Tate teaching Kya to read; the poignantly short interlude with a sober and caring Pa; when Jumpin first agrees to sell her gas for her boat in exchange for freshly caught mussels; Mabel explaining puberty to Kya; a little girl in town being friendly to Kya until her mother fearfully snatches her away; Kya reading the names of her siblings and parents for the very first time in the family bible; Jodie turning up with the pictures Ma painted of them as young children and many more. Owens narrative style and writing made for a smooth easy reading experience. The overarching emotional connect however was that of Kya with her beloved marsh - it provided companionship and sustenance, protection and a successful career. It parented her, perhaps better than human parents would have.
The story is told in two timelines, one in which we follow Kya as she struggles to survive after being abandoned by her family; the second in which Chase Andrew’s, a local boy and star quarterback is found dead under the fire tower. The mystery was intriguing initially and the twist in the end was satisfactory but a little unbelievable to me. What moved me most was Kya’s aching loneliness, her desperate need to belong, her terrible fear of abandonment and her resolute determination to survive, overcome and eventually thrive against enormous odds. It amazed me that she opened herself up to love, when she had no reason to. That she persevered even after multiple betrayals. I don’t think I would have had the courage or willpower. And yet her perseverance brought her true friendship and love. Lesson learned!
The strength of this story is in its emotions. It is beautifully written, has likeable characters and an authentic climax. Recommended for its standout nature writing and to those who like coming-of-age stories in unusual settings.
Delia Owens, a new to me author, is apparently renowned for her nature writing and I could immediately understand why. Her very first line, “Marsh is not swamp.”, had me intrigued. I’d never thought of the differences between a marsh and swamp, indeed I hadn’t ever thought about marshes and swamps at all! Owens however hooked me from the start, with her beautifully detailed and authentic descriptions of the marsh - its flora and fauna, its seasonal character, and how it serves as a surrogate family for Kya in more ways than one! For me, the Marsh was an essential and powerful character that shaped Kya’s story, which would have been very different in any other setting.
Owens characters are well written, having depth and a fair amount of grey that makes them feel authentic. Pa, Ma, Jodie, and Tate are all believably flawed humans who fail her for reasons beyond her understanding. As a reader I understood their actions but it was hard to forgive. No child should go through what Kya had to, but despite the searingly bitter loneliness & the danger from humans, I’m glad she never forsook her home and the marsh. Ultimately I feel it was the right choice even though she paid a heavy price.
This book was a series of emotionally charged moments - Kya sitting on the porch steps watching her Mom walk away, bruised and broken and then waiting for her to return; Tate teaching Kya to read; the poignantly short interlude with a sober and caring Pa; when Jumpin first agrees to sell her gas for her boat in exchange for freshly caught mussels; Mabel explaining puberty to Kya; a little girl in town being friendly to Kya until her mother fearfully snatches her away; Kya reading the names of her siblings and parents for the very first time in the family bible; Jodie turning up with the pictures Ma painted of them as young children and many more. Owens narrative style and writing made for a smooth easy reading experience. The overarching emotional connect however was that of Kya with her beloved marsh - it provided companionship and sustenance, protection and a successful career. It parented her, perhaps better than human parents would have.
The story is told in two timelines, one in which we follow Kya as she struggles to survive after being abandoned by her family; the second in which Chase Andrew’s, a local boy and star quarterback is found dead under the fire tower. The mystery was intriguing initially and the twist in the end was satisfactory but a little unbelievable to me. What moved me most was Kya’s aching loneliness, her desperate need to belong, her terrible fear of abandonment and her resolute determination to survive, overcome and eventually thrive against enormous odds. It amazed me that she opened herself up to love, when she had no reason to. That she persevered even after multiple betrayals. I don’t think I would have had the courage or willpower. And yet her perseverance brought her true friendship and love. Lesson learned!
The strength of this story is in its emotions. It is beautifully written, has likeable characters and an authentic climax. Recommended for its standout nature writing and to those who like coming-of-age stories in unusual settings.