Author: Delia Owens
Publisher: Hachette Australia
Genre: General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Woman’s Fiction
Year Of Release: 2018
Release Date 13th December 2019
Rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
How long can you protect your heart?
Synopsis
For 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.
Perfect for fans of Barbara Kingsolver and Karen Russell,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.
Review:
A young girl, Kya Clark, must learn to care for herself and her older siblings when their mother suddenly abandoners them. Along with their alcoholic father, she must eventually learn to care for herself with the use of her father’s boat and the marsh to fight for their own survival.
For me, it was extremely hard to find fault with this book as the story was beautifully written. The loneliness and isolation were felt not just glossed over, but they didn’t cast a shadow over the brightness that becomes survival. The characters were extremely relatable as we all want a witness to our life, and company we all want to belong to.
‘Where the Crawdads Sing’ is a very moving story. I’ve not read anything like it to be honest, and I doubt I’ll find another story that compares to it anytime soon. Delia Owens brought the story to life brilliantly by using a very descriptive language that is enough to paint Barkley Cove, the marsh, and the shack perfectly. This allows you to fully immerse yourself in Barkley Cove and alongside it’s residence.
“She knew the years of isolation had altered her behavior until she was different from others, but it wasn’t her fault she’d been alone. Most of what she knew, she’d learned from the wild. Nature had nurtured, tutored, and protected her when no one else would.”
― Where the Crawdads Sing
When it came to my favourite character, it would be hands down Tate. I think anyone who takes the time to teach someone to read, makes them automatically a very likeable person as they have great caring qualities. He didn’t do it because he had too, but because he wanted Kya to succeed in life, and with nothing in return but her friendship. He remains a solid fixture throughout most of her life, and this friendship was such a joy to be apart of.
“Autumn leaves don’t fall, they fly. They take their time and wander on this their only chance to soar.”
― Delia Owens, Where the Crawdads Sing
The characters were extremely relatable. We all want and need company, a witness to our life, and a need to belong to these desires. This descriptive writing brings these characters off the page and Barkley Cove to life before your eyes. We all have family we don’t often see eye to eye with or agree with, and disagree with some of the choices they make. However, whether they felt they had too it at the time, it was very easy for me to dislike Kya’s mother and father due to their decisions.
‘Where The Crawdads Sing’ really had me guessing, and I dislike books that you are able to predict right before the end is revealed to the reader. This makes for a read well worth it, especially when the it is as highly as anticipated as this one. I really found myself not wanting the story to end, and I wish I could stay in Barkley Cove forever!
I recommend this book to everyone, even if Historical Fiction isn’t their chosen genre as this is a fantastic book with a beautifully betrayed message. At it’s heart, we all want to belong and need someone in our lives to witness our strengths and achievements. This book is perfect for mature readers.