by Delia Owens
Paperback- $9.98
NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE—The #1 New York Times bestselling worldwide sensation with more than 15 million copies sold, hailed by The New ...
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This novel was beautifully written and intertwined with science, acceptance, and ignorance of a society. I will definitely read this again.
Where the Crawdads Sing must be read! Any review I write here will not do Delia Owens prose justice. What a writer! What a story! One of the best books I have read in a while...
It touched my heart. Captivating, overall lovely story.
Difficult to read as the abuse and abandonment of a child was heartbreaking and cruel. However, the description of the marsh and nature was inspiring, informative and ultimately uplifting.
A tale of melancholy sweetness. It read like watching the tide come in and out... with the same slow predictability. I found it a jolt the few times the narrative perspective changed. As a native North Carolinian, who can "I reckon" with the best, I found the vernacular a little false AND with all the coastal nature descriptions, I can't believe the author left out a Venus Flytrap! A bit like a modern To Kill A Mockingbird or Nell.
You will love the Marsh Girl. Well written and an easy read!
Loved her descriptions of the marsh and nature. While Kaya suffers terrible deprivation as a child she also understands nature in a way that few do because she relies on it so completely for her survival.
Haunting...The loneliness of Its seems into your bones The beauty and isolation of the marsh is powerful ! The end was not a surprise to me, although very early in the book I expected a. Face off between Tate and Chase.
This book was definitely one that I could not put down. It had me hooked from the start and kept me hooked until the very last page! A truly great read!
but that's about it with this book. The story was unconvincing. It defies logic that a 5 year old child would have the skill, knowledge, and courage to survive alone.
Beautifully written poetic story of woman and nature that keeps the reader engaged and rooting for the heroine.
Obviously written by a scholar, the structure of the story is clever and sometimes Tate’s character reminds you of the author. It’s a crime story to begin with, but it can also be read as an allegory about environmental issues. The abandonment, the threat of rape, as well as the infertility of the “marsh girl” definitely mean to point to something beyond her character.
This book was slow to start, but after about 50 pages I couldn't put it down. If was fantastic—until the last page and a half. What a shocker, and a disappointment! Book clubs will love this one!
Utterly beautiful. Reminded me a little of To Kill a Mockingbird.
This novel is wonderfully written flipping back and forth in time weaving a tale of romance and mystery. Kya’s character is something you can’t help but admire and root for, despite the undercurrent of doubt that Owens strings throughout. A story of “otherness” in so many dimensions that keeps you guessing until the very end.
Kya is an interesting character to follow throughout the story. The book has you asking “Who dunnit” from the first page. Great ending.
Our group had this as our very first book club selection. There was so much to talk about in this book. And definitely a great one to start for a book club. Some had already read it but they loved talking about it too!
This was so different than books I have recently read. I loved the focus on nature and the outdoors and was captivated by the optimistic nature of the main character's life in spite of the difficulties she faced.
Good book, interesting twists -loved the marshy perspective
I found it difficult to believe that a child abandoned at 7 years old could survive in the marsh on her own, and ultimately become a published author and accomplished poet.
It was a sweet story and a beautiful description of life on the back woods low country.
My favorite book of 2019. Couldn't put it down. Great story and mystery all in one.
This was a very well written book. A story about the “throw-away” people of our society. It captivates and pulls you into the life of a young girl who must learn how to survive completely on her own. A must read, in my opinion.
This book started off a little slow, but it wasn’t long before I could hardly put it down. I thought the author did an incredible job of setting the scene and keeping us on our toes.
I was really excited going into this one, but for some reason it was just really boring and slow for me. It couldn't catch my attention like other reads and I had just finished Where the Forest Meets the Stars and was told to check this one out. I had high hopes for this book, but maybe they were set a little to high.
Our book club liked this book and rated it an average of 4.5. Beautiful descriptions of the marsh. A bit of a mystery and a coming of age story. A good book about isolation also which seems appropriate during this time of social isolating.
It was better than I thought I would be! Great description of the scenes
This book details poverty, child neglect, hunger, anger and gives the impression that all is forgotten or over. What a surprise. A lonesome girl manages on her own for much of her life only to find happiness.
Ha a little of everything...romance, coming of age, murder, nature...a good read. Highly recommend it.
A beautiful story of resilience and friendship. A reminder that not all of us live charmed lives. A beautiful book about the nature that surrounds us. A reminder to slow down and see it and appreciate it.
Delia Owens, you created a masterpiece. This is the best book I have ever read. The way she describes the marsh is unbelievable. I loved her word and references to poems. I never read a book for a second time. However, this one I would read again and again.
I fell in love with kya and the marsh. Kyas ability to survive with no one is mind blowing. She learned how to defend herself, read, get her books published and find love. Such a beautiful story. You will fall in love with the marsh
Good read - loved the story of the young woman and how she overcame adversity.
A page turner in which I found it hard to put down. I loved the beautiful writing about nature. A love story and murder mystery.
Breathtakingly beautiful imagery. I was there, seeing, smelling, hearing…
Not so much a fan of the story, but manipulation of the language was exquisite
The indomitable nature of the human spirit and the toughness of swamp people are incredible. Children of a certain age can survive and thrive if just one person watches out for them and believes in them.
An engrossing book, easy to read, although I found some parts of it far-fetched. Part love story, part mystery.
beautiful coming of age story. Main character is full of depth. Very inspiring, beautiful nature imagery throughout
Absolutely loved it. I was so addicted I was driving around or listening at home with headphones. Completely sucked me in, I experienced every high, every heartbreak, every tragedy with Kaya. An absolute delight from the first sentence to the last.
Enjoyed the references and comparisons to nature; cared for the main character and her loved ones
This book was such a great find! I’m glad our book club read it!
Everyone that enters Kya life ends up leaving her. At a very young age her mother abandoned her, leaving her with a drunk and abusive father. Eventually the father leaves too, leaving Kya to fend for herself in the ramshackle house she calls home. She raises herself in the marshland and becomes known to the locals as The Marsh Girl. She falls in love and he leaves her. Later there is another young man, Chase, who lives in town, shows an interest in her. Once again she falls in love only to read in the papers that he has become engaged to another. Shortly after his marriage, there is a fatal accident and Kya is charged with murdering Chase.
A trial ensues.
I don’t want to use any spoilers. So you will just have to read the book for yourself!
What a great read! The beginning was a little slow for me! But oh my word, the ending!! I couldn’t put it down and it completely surprised me!!
Lovely book. A book that had my emotions "every which way". A book that I didn't want to put down.
I enjoyed learning how Kya viewed the world; comparing her environment to other environments. Jumpin’ and Mabel - love them!
This gave a deeper appreciation and insight into how people feel about and treat those they do not understand, much as TKAM’s Boo Radley. I loved that the author made Kya the protagonist and focused the perspective from her!
I was hooked after the first chapter. Kya is a fantastic character. Kya is one of the most inspiring characters I have connected with in such a long time. Kudos to the author.
I thought this book was great! It kept me very interested! It’s a complete page turner.
Our discussion yesterday was about “Where the Crawdad’s Sing” which was a Hello Sunshine Top pick and overall the group review was positive. The book was about Kya an intelligent, born naturalist with no formal education who lived in the North Carolina Marsh isolated from society and who suffered great loss and many hardships. She was a strong, smart, likable character who was relatable to quite a few who joined. The book certainly had something for everyone, the focus on nature caught the attention of many and made the book a real delight and the trial made the novel quite thrilling however, we were all in agreement that the ending was slightly predictable and we awarded the book 7/10. I have attached a pdf which has a Q&A from the author Delia Owen and also some good ol’ southern recipes, I might have a stab at Kya’s favourite “ Old Fashioned Chicken Pie” Yum! For those of you who would prefer not to read the book, the movie with Daisy Edgar-Jones is coming out in 2022!
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