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A review by christinaj1021
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Let me preface by saying that I'm writing this review while keeping my opinion of the author out of it. A quick google search can lead you to the speculation behind why Delia Owens is less than an outstanding individual.
All this aside, I absolutely fell in love with this book. I haven't been this emotionally moved in quite some time. The prose, the pacing, the characters, the storyline... all of it felt akin to the marsh and swamp that Owens so avidly describes in this novel. I felt constantly lulled and yet on edge, similarly to how one might feel if they, too, found themselves alone in a marshland that still themed with natural life.
It's a slow read- and as a mood reader, if I'd been looking for something else, I never would've finished this book- but I needed this. I needed to slow down, to look for details, to see life through nature's eyes- we've just come out of the holiday season, so busy and full of material goods. Owens delivers all this and more, with the edge of a mystery tucked between the story of a lonely girl trying her best to become less alone.
My only real criticism is one that I've seen echoed across the internet- Owens' portrayal of Black characters is essentially a caricature. Every Black character (3 of them) has the same speech patterns (as opposed to white characters, who all speak differently), and serves essentially the same purpose- to bring joy to Kya's life through their happy-go-lucky attitudes. Dont get me wrong- Kya needed that in her life... but they are 2D characters that I wish had been 3D, with Kya understanding and supporting them through their own struggles.
Kya sees Black characters face hardships- being banned from areas of town or portions of buildings, having rocks thrown at them, being called the N word- but never brings it up, never apologizes on behalf of others, and never really sees those as hardships for her Black friends. She sees it and it just *is*. As a reader, you wish she would acknowledge the wrongness, given how much other injustice she sees and comments on, externally or internally.
All this aside, I absolutely fell in love with this book. I haven't been this emotionally moved in quite some time. The prose, the pacing, the characters, the storyline... all of it felt akin to the marsh and swamp that Owens so avidly describes in this novel. I felt constantly lulled and yet on edge, similarly to how one might feel if they, too, found themselves alone in a marshland that still themed with natural life.
It's a slow read- and as a mood reader, if I'd been looking for something else, I never would've finished this book- but I needed this. I needed to slow down, to look for details, to see life through nature's eyes- we've just come out of the holiday season, so busy and full of material goods. Owens delivers all this and more, with the edge of a mystery tucked between the story of a lonely girl trying her best to become less alone.
My only real criticism is one that I've seen echoed across the internet- Owens' portrayal of Black characters is essentially a caricature. Every Black character (3 of them) has the same speech patterns (as opposed to white characters, who all speak differently), and serves essentially the same purpose- to bring joy to Kya's life through their happy-go-lucky attitudes. Dont get me wrong- Kya needed that in her life... but they are 2D characters that I wish had been 3D, with Kya understanding and supporting them through their own struggles.
Kya sees Black characters face hardships- being banned from areas of town or portions of buildings, having rocks thrown at them, being called the N word- but never brings it up, never apologizes on behalf of others, and never really sees those as hardships for her Black friends. She sees it and it just *is*. As a reader, you wish she would acknowledge the wrongness, given how much other injustice she sees and comments on, externally or internally.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment