The writing draws you in and the plot is subtle and surprising.

This just might be the best book I’ve read in 2018! This is the author’s 1st novel, but she has coauthored books focused on nature/ environment. This history shows thru in this novel with her intricate descriptions of the North Carolina coastal marshlands. This well developed plot had me on edge to the end. I haven’t stayed up late recently finishing a book, but this one I just couldn’t put down. I was intrigued with the story of Kya from the very first sentence.

Could not put it down. So beautifully written. Did not want it to end. Last 30 minutes read through tears, sobbing.

You will not want to put this book down.

Loved the writing

Most of b/c liked this novel and thought that for a first time fiction writer it was very good. The end was a true twist.

Where the Crawdads Sing is a novel that you won’t be able to put down. It’s beautifully written in a manner that takes the reader to a little shack in coastal, North Carolina. Life altering.

I gave this a 3 because it wasn't boring but I had similar hangups that other critics have mentioned. It was quite unbelievable that Kya was truly able to raise herself and survive on her own...and yet be so civilized, and remain physically healthy, once her father left. I also felt there was a huge discrepancy in her character development. Owens portrayed her as very simple, basic, and rough around the edges girl yet she wrote poetry, was able to conceive a very intricate and deceitful plan, and stay focused on writing books about her knowledge of the marsh; so contrary to the picture of a wild child with poor social skills and no clue of how to manage the outside world and it's rules. However, I think what bothered me the most about this book is that it is advertised as a Historical Fiction novel....what? Owens may have shared some knowledge of the Outer Banks of North Carolina but that's it. There is no historical content in this book - a very big bummer for me. It's just a story about the adversities a young girl faces and pummels through while living, isolated on the marsh. Somewhat interesting but definitely NOT a work of Historical Fiction. I did like Kya's gumption and the piece describing the trial. The big reveal at the end was just another layer of "paquete" laid onto this story, and actually I wasn't too surprised at that point. I would have even expected an additional chapter written stating how Kya ran in record, superpower speed to and from Greenville how she became a Nobel Prize Winner with her scientific field investigation. At some point, nothing short of ridiculous seemed possible. After writing this review, and pondering my thoughts on the book further, it's really more like a 2. I liked less about it than I liked and am mostly disappointed because of the rave reviews it's received. After reading this highly recommended book, I feel abandoned, misled, and cheated...much like Kya has most of her life.

The writing itself is beautiful. I loved the descriptions of the marsh. The marsh was definitely a character in the book itself. I thought the story of Kya’s early years was very interesting. I have a elderly friend who was abandoned after his mother’s death and his story is similar. So it did not seem impossible that her isolation occurred but to the degree that it did was somewhat improbable. But as Kya came to age, however, I thought the story took a strange turn and the trial was frustrating. The ending was very predictable. But most of all I don’t think I have ever heard of a legal trial with so little legal basis. The plot got really thin even though the writing was musical.

WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING:

Overall: recommend
Score - 4.25

Gwynne - recommend (4)

Victoria - (4.75) loved it; surprised and unpredictable

Lorraine - (4.75) read and enjoyed reading; survival and opened up to love

Jen - (4.5) pleasure to read and loved the language

Onelia - (4.5) deducted bc of beginning and kids living by themselves; believed it due to sociological aspects/ alcoholism and family abandonment themes. Tate made the difference in her life and she loved Tate. Kya was so Gifted and Onelia loved the plan to kill chase

Tamara - (4.75) Loved the book. Discussed Kya’s relationships and related to her daughter. We all know the types of guys: Good Tate vs bad chase

Lisa - (3.75) felt like reading two books - first part written beautifully; good book, however did not like trial, but ending saved it

Tricia - (3.25) felt disconnected from Kya after the trial. First part of book was engaging and believable then fell apart at the end.

Gina - (4) intrigued by theme of resiliency; love story; trial was choppy; discussed the different Tate and chase relationships

Reggie - (4.5) engaged/ fast read. Her Momma bear instincts kicked in with Kya; she was reminded of Lion/ Home Alone movies, and so felt it was totally believable.

Karen - (3.5) would recommend. Felt the author had difficulty closing.
Diane - (5) loved the book
Lorin - (4) enjoyed the book

If we could describe this beautifully written book in one word, it would be lyrical. A memorable story centering around survival instincts and how they influence our choices and future. Our book club gave this a 4.6 overall rating and agreed it was one of the best books of 2018!

Loved it

The writing in this book was beautiful. I enjoyed the authors descriptive writing. She also wove a wonderful story and a very tough character into this page turner

“Most of what she knew, she’d learned from the wild. Nature had nurtured, tutored, and protected her when no one else would. If consequences resulted from her behaving differently, then they too were functions of life’s fundamental core.”

“In nature – out yonder where the crawdads sing – some behaviors that seem harsh to us now ensured the survival of early man in whatever swamp he was in at the time. Without them, we wouldn’t be here. We still store those instincts in our genes, and they express themselves when certain circumstances prevail. Some parts of us will always be what we were, what we had to be to survive – way back yonder.”

Wow, just wow – I loved this novel. Survival, nature, poetry, coming of age, mystery, prejudice, and isolation are all explored in this story. The main character, Kya, grows up isolated in the coastal marshes of North Carolina where she must learn to take care of herself, trust, and come of age amongst gulls, fireflies, and shells. Intermixed with Kya’s story is the mystery surrounding the death of the local town’s notable young man.

This is Owens’ debut novel. She is a wildlife scientist whose previous published works involved extensive nature writing. I felt that nature, in particular, the coastal marsh, was its own character in this novel. Kya observed the creatures around her and used them to learn about life, love, and human behavior. Along with her, I learned quite a bit about the lives and mating cycles of many of the marsh insects and animals. The author’s lyrical prose evoked a very real sense of time and place. Nature poetry also features prominently in this novel. At one point, Kya states that “some words hold a lot” and this is especially true of the poems highlighted throughout the story. Kya used these poems to help her understand people and situations and to process her emotions.

What does it mean to be a good person? What makes a good man or a good woman? These topics are explored and developed in detail throughout this novel. In particular, the end of the story leaves the reader to ponder this. Most of the locals in this novel act out stereotypical small-town prejudices, apropos of the time. The “March Girl”, as they called Kya, was different. She was poor, raised in a swamp, and therefore less than them. She was seen as an object of ridicule and a dirty person who was to be feared and avoided. At one critical point in the novel, the townspeople are called to task and asked: “did we exclude Miss Clark because she was different, or was she different because we excluded her?” However, a few of the locals rise above these biases. The story contrasts these people including two young men with whom Kya interacts. It also contrasts the parents of the two young men, as well as Kya’s biological parents with her “adopted” parents. Are the differences clear-cut good versus bad? What motivates people to do what they do? Are their choices and behavior biological or learned? There is a lot of room for discussion of these topics.

This story will stay with me for a long time to come. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Where the Crawdads Sing, Delia Owens, author, Cassandra Campbell, narrator
The book takes place in North Carolina, and it covers the life of Katherine Danielle Clark, born on October 10, 1945, from her childhood to her death. The story is told tenderly, over more than five decades, through the memories of Kya, as she is called, and it is read expertly by the narrator, who interprets the different characters with perfect pitch.
The book begins in 1969, with a mystery. A body is discovered in the swamp. It is the body of the local hero, the upper class, Chase Andrews. Was his death an accident or was it murder? An investigation is begun. The novel then goes to 1952, and continues to switch back and forth from the past to the present as Kya grows up and tells her story, until she and the murder exist in the same place and time, in 1969, the year the body is found.
So we meet Kya, almost 7, in 1952 as she watches her mom walk down the road, never to return. Soon after, most of her siblings are driven away also, by their father’s brutality; he is a violent drunk. One sibling, Jody, was the last to leave her, and she always remembered him and the advice he had often given. When her father left, too, and never returned, seven year old Kya was completely on her own. She did not let anyone know that her family was gone because she was afraid of going into foster care. With the limited knowledge she had gleaned from watching her mother, she taught herself to cook. She took her father’s boat and shopped in town by bartering with Jumpin’, the man who ran the store where they had bought supplies. She brought him things, like mussels and smoked fish, and he gave her grits and gasoline in exchange. His wife Mabel taught her how to garden and she grew her own vegetables. Jumpin’ became like a parent, always watching out for her well being, warning her of danger. Jumpin’ lived in Colored Town with Mabel who took it upon herself to gather hand-me-downs for Kya, from their community. The people were happy to give her the things they no longer needed, unlike the whites in town who shunned her.
After the truant officer took her to school, one day, promising her a good hot meal, she vowed never to return because the children bullied her. So she never had an education. One day, while she was out in the boat, exploring, she got lost. An old friend of her brother’s, Tate, saw her all alone, and he guided her home. They became friends, although he was older than she. When he discovered she was illiterate, he taught her to read and do simple arithmetic. Her world opened up. He brought her books and encouraged her to study them. She soon educated herself. She loved the natural sciences and read every book she could get her hands on. Soon she was cataloguing the things she discovered in nature, using her own artistic and writing skills. She grew to trust and love Tate, but when he too was gone, she lost her faith in people.
As time went by, she developed into a young woman and she caught the eye of Chase Andrews, a local boy who was handsome and rich. At first, because she had been abandoned by everyone else, she avoided him, but he made promises to her, even though he knew he couldn’t keep them, because their worlds were too different. She was naïve, and soon, she was persuaded to trust him. When he betrayed her too, she withdrew into her own world even further. She was a simple soul who only wanted to love and be loved, but she kept failing to achieve that.
Kya’s life story is heartbreaking and breathtaking all at once. She spent her life running and hiding, protecting herself from the outside world. They did not understand her or want her in their midst and she feared them. The marsh became her mother, her world, when she had no place else to turn and felt completely alone and lonely. Through her scientific studies, she learned about the dominance of hierarchies in the natural world and she translated it into her knowledge of man. She observed behavior and the need that dominance inspired, and she witnessed inequality in the natural world and actually experienced it in her own.
The novel has something for everyone. It is very intense as injustice, arrogance, class warfare and racism raise their heads. It is a love story, a mystery filled with intrigue, and a legal drama with nail-biting court scenes. Each of the themes in the book is handled perfectly and culminates in satisfying conclusions. Toward the end, the tension builds on every page as Kya, accused of murdering her former boyfriend, awaits the verdict. The ending has unexpected twists and turns. While at times the story line stretches credulity, as we watch Kya come of age, it also begins to seem quite possible that someone so bright could accomplish all she did. We want to believe in her.

** spoiler alert ** I loved this book - I loved the descriptive writing, the relationships, the intricate story.
Kya Clark is a young girl who lives in the marsh in North Carolina, and becomes known as The Marsh Girl. The story begins when Kya's mother walks out on the family, abandoning Kya and her siblings, due to their father's drinking and abusive nature. One by one, the siblings also abandon young Kya, and she is left alone to fend for herself, as her father only comes home sporadically. Kya learns to search for food, and to sell what she can. The black townspeople look after Kya, protecting her and providing her with food.
Kya's brother's friend, Tate, befriends Kya, and teaches her to read. With his help, Kya blossoms and although she has no formal schooling, is able to publish books on marsh life. Yet, when Tate betrays Kya, she feels she can no longer trust him.
Kya takes up with Chase, the local boy who is a hero to the town. Chase woos Kya, promising her a future. But, eventually Chase betrays Kya as well.
The story is told between 2 time frames, from when Kya was a young girl, to when Kya is in her 20s. Chase is found dead, and Kya is arrested, but she claims innocence. The trial takes its toll on Kya.
The story is beautifully told and is haunting. It is amazing to read about all of Kya's observations about the marsh and about the relationships we have.
The novel has a stunning ending.
Wonderful novel!
#WhereTheCrawdadsSing #DeliaOwens

One of the best books I have ever read. So moving.

Loved this book! I couldn’t put it down.

Could not put it down. Extremely well written. Ending was incredible

I loved every page of this book and didn't want it to end. Kya took my breath away and took my heart away to a way of looking at the world that most of us miss.
This is my favorite book I have read in the last several years. I am telling everyone to read it!

On our list as one of the best books of 2018.

This story captivated me to the very end. I had to read it a second time so that I could be close to the characters once again. Delia Owens breaths life into Kya’s surrounding creating a picture so vivid you can easily place yourself there. Highly recommend!

Loved it. I really felt like I knew the characters and I was totally in that world.

I could not put this book down. Amazing read!

I liked it, but not the ending. The characters were all believable & easy to imagine. I was happy to find out the mom didn’t really abandon her children in the cold hearted way the author led us to believe. I’d rather she be mentally ill than
be an awful mom. Overall, I loved this book.

I enjoyed many of the characters. I was surprised at the end. I wonder why she kept the necklace?
This is a trial journal entry.
Maureen.

I was almost afraid to read this book due to all the hype and was afraid i would be disappointed. I was watching the sunday am CBS show and there was an interview with the author --- she now lives in Idaho and is 70 years old. this is her first fiction book. So that intrigued me It took her 10 years to write it. For someone to put in that effort, I figured I should at least give it a shot. So I purchased the book rather than wait for my turn at the library. I did enjoy reading this book immensely. Its a great story and you really wonder how Kya ends up the way she does!! well worth the read

I found this book difficult to put down. It was compelling and brilliantly written.
I was intrigued by the strength of the human spirit - the book provided an insight into finding the joy and perseverance of our fragile existence. Kya was a charter with incredible internal strength
And perseverance.through her difficult life
Surprised at the ending- the writing is brilliant
Can’t wait to read more by the author ...!

I absolutely loved this book! I am a huge outdoors person and this was a perfect blend between nature and drama. It kept me intrigued and on my toes. Love!

I found this book to be a great adventure and escape into a different world. This brave young woman endured and overcame so much and yet thrives throughout. I LOVED the ending where she really did take back her life!

Fast read, but Unconvincing and not realistic.

Great, interesting read but hard to believe that she raised herself at such a young age. The ending was unexpected so worth reading.

Wow a must read loved it!

I am in love with this book! It had my emotions all over the place and goosebumps with every page turn!

Completely satisfying. The characters were relatable and original, and I found myself stopping reading to make it last longer. It was captivating with the subtlety of a storyteller who doesn’t offer gratuitous bait. One of the best books I’ve come across in years.

Our book club chose this book and absolutely all of us adored it and fell in love w Kya. The sense of place is incredible- could hear the gulls, smell the salty air and just FEEL we were there.

I found it slow to start but I couldn’t put it down about 100 pages in!

Book was well written and very description. Characters were well developed and relatable. Story might have pushed plausibility a bit, but the book club found the book very readable, engaging, and touching.

A picture of the swamps so beautifully depicted. The characters so lovely, you can’t help but fall in love with, “The Marsh Girl”.

Well written, informative about nature, good mystery and twist at the end.

Loved it. Be sure to read to the very last word

Amazingly, this young adult romance novel with a cliched plot has been swamped with attention. The most unique thing about the plot is the mushy setting for mushy love. I'm sure Ms. Owens is an excellent nonfiction nature writer. Her descriptions of the North Carolina marshlands' ecosystem are informative. Her hackneyed fiction is not so good.

Loved this book that Kya turned out to be a strong woman under the circumstances of her early years.

Just finished my latest novel. My book club picked this book. It’s not one that I would have picked myself, but I still enjoyed it. Set in the marshes of North Carolina in 1950s-1970+. It was an interesting story of life’s hardships, the human condition (good, bad and ugly) and appreciating and truly viewing the beauties of nature, then relating the natural world to our human one.

I thought the book was just OK. The ending was interesting I will give the author credit for that. To me, a lot of it was very unrealistic and I could not relate to it. It did keep my attention and she is good with detail.

Glad I went to the end. Made it worth the read.

This book has it all... it is a story of resiliency, survival, hope, love, loss, loneliness, desperation, prejudice, determination and strength. A very likable main character that pulls at your heartstrings, a murder mystery, drama, coming of age and romance. A must read!

Beautifully descriptive novel of the marshlands, the novel evolves into a murder mystery/ love story.