Do you sometimes find yourself grabbing a book because of the hype it has created, rather than the plot? I’m definitely guilty of doing that pretty often, and I often end up severely disappointed. Not this time, though!
“Where the Crawdads Sing” goes back and forth in time to tell a story of Catherine “Kya” Clark, labelled by the townsfolk as “the Marsh Girl”. Abandoned by her family and let down by society, Kya is raised by mother nature, with the help from a few unlikely friends, in the marshes near Barkley Cove, North Carolina. She spends her days finding ways to survive, but at the same time never fails to acknowledge the wonders of nature surrounding her. Collecting shells and feathers, and exploring the wetlands in her father’s weathered boat are Kya’s pastime activities, which allow her to overcome a deep sense of abandonment and loneliness.
The girl is mostly left alone, her presence lingering in townsfolks’ tales, until one day a body of a local rich kid (and a well-known ladies’ man), Chase Andrews, is found at the bottom of an old fire tower. When an unlikely link between Chase and Kya is discovered, a fatal accident investigation turns into a murder trial.
I have a confession to make: before starting any book I always read its author’s biography to find out more about how their background might have affected the novel. Delia Owens is a retired wildlife biologist, and an experienced nature writer. She honors the beauty of the North Carolina marshes and their inhabitants every step of the way through her powerful descriptions. Readers feel as if they’re transported into the wilderness, experiencing every smell and sound together with young Kya. It’s a bit like reading poetry at times (which, by the way, is also a part of this versatile novel).
So, what genre does “Where the Crawdads Sing” fall into? Historical fiction, romance, courtroom drama, murder mystery… you name it. This novel presents its readers with a beautifully sculpted multi-genre storyline that keeps them guessing until the very end.
Being a lawyer myself, I thoroughly enjoyed the trial description. It actually made me feel like I was part of the jury, and got to judge the characters myself, which was highly entertaining. Many of my friends have read the book, and they are gloriously divided when it comes to the murder case: some rooted for Kya, while others found her untrustworthy and almost certainly guilty.
The best way for me to sum this book up is to simply state that it’s one of the best novels I’ve ever read (and I read a lot!). Beautifully written, effortless to read, with elegant prose, and lyrical descriptions. Readers are left marveling at the stark contrast between harshness of Kya’s life and the beauty of it. “Where the Crawdads Sing” touched me to the core and inspired to look at the world we live in with a new sense of amazement.
Read if:
- You are undecided about the genre of your next read.
- You think it’s time to finally start appreciating descriptions of nature in novels.
- Murder mysteries are your thing, but you don’t like them bloody.
Avoid if:
- Descriptions of nature, no matter how skillfully written, bore you.
- You are after a light summer read – that’s not it.
