A great quarantine book
If there was ever a book to read during isolation, it's Where The Crawdads Sing. The main character spends the majority of her life alone! That yearning for genuine for human connection is something I'm sure most of us can currently relate to.
Written by Delia Owens, Where The Crawdads Sing tells the story of Kya Clarke, a poor, but resourceful, girl who raises herself after being abandoned by her family members. She lives in the marshes along the coast of North Carolina and learns to make use of the abundant natural resources.
Exiled from the normal people in the nearby town, Kya finds comfort among the various birds, fishes, shells, and wildlife that occupy the marsh. If you have any interest in life science/biology, you will enjoy this book. With intricate descriptions, I think readers can easily feel connected to the environment through the story.
Most exciting however, is the murder and romance! Despite being a total loner, Kya has multiple love interests and ends up entangled in a murder trial!
This is one of the best books I've ever read. I cried multiple times and felt empty and spent once I finished.
What I Loved
Kya, the main character
Characters are the most interesting part of a story to me and this book does not disappoint. Kya is resourceful, endearing, and overcomes incessant trauma. My heart went out to her over and over.
The authentic nature descriptions
The author, Delia Owens, is actually a wildlife biologist and nature writer. Her writing on the marsh that Kya lives in struck me. I felt like I could see the crystal blue water or tufted bird feathers through the pages.
What I Super Loved
The mystery
I would classify this book as a coming-of-age story because we see Kya go from a frightened child to an empowered woman. But woven throughout that is a murder mystery that I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out!
The finesse
Delia Owens did an amazing job of writing Kya grow up. What I mean is, the story starts with Kya as a young child, maybe three or four. The curiosity-driven, snipped writing style makes that evident. But as a reader, I felt like I was growing up with Kya as the writing style matured to echo Kya's evolving maturity. It was the most subtle, but I think powerful, part of the entire novel.
The END.
I won't say more, but just know this story is worth finishing.
I don't want to give too much away from the plot, because this book is better when you go in cold, but trust me, it's amazing. I would 100% recommend it to everyone. In a time when climate change and pandemics are on our minds, this story can help you take a breather and enjoy something refreshingly slower paced.
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Have you ever read this book? What did you think?
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