One of my all time favorite novels has been Where The Crawdads Sing, by Delia Owens. This read has left me with a roller coaster of emotions. While this book started out slow for me, about one-third of the way through, I could not put it down. I started this book over the summer, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a crime-drama and emotional read.
Summary:
The novel takes place in the North Carolina marshes, where Kya begins her childhood. The beginning of the story is heartbreaking as we see how unsettling Kya’s youth is. She deals with constant loneliness when her mother and older siblings leave her with her abusive and alcoholic father. Kya is left with false hope for a while as she genuinely believes that her mother will come back to her. After accepting her fate as an abandoned child, we see how she survives on her own in the marshes. Kya tiptoes around her father and tries to avoid him at all costs while struggling desperately on her own. Eventually, he too leaves her, and she is in complete isolation on the marsh. During Kya’s teenage years, her natural beauty catches the eye of two men in town. Unfortunately for Kya, she is pinned as a top suspect when they find a body in the marsh. Her once alienated life is turned upside down as she is forced under the spotlight of her town.
Why I Recommend It:
Author Delia Owens brings in many parallels to nature in the sunny marshlands, giving insight into Kya’s internal thoughts. This novel contains heavy imagery and description of life in the marshes. I would definitely categorize it as a melodrama filled with suspense and romance, making it one of my favorite books of all time! Once the trial and investigation approached, I was hooked and could not put the book down. This story’s ending was unpredictable, with many twists and turns, which left me in complete shock. I would highly recommend “Where The Crawdads Sing,” by Delia Owens. Anyone would love this book!
