Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens is one of the best books I’ve read in recent memory. It is Owens’ debut novel and she delivers a well paced story that keeps you interested for every word.
Where The Crawdads Sing is the story of Kya Clark, The Marsh Girl, a young girl left on her own in the marsh as each member of her family leaves for some place better. Kya has never known anything but the marsh and she loves it so even when everyone has left her, she doesn’t leave the marsh. The secondary story line, one that eventually merges into Kya’s story, is that of the death of Chase Andrews. Owens explores how prejudice plays out in a small town and how individuals are more than what they appear at first glance.
Kya’s story is that of a little girl who has known nothing but abandonment her whole life. Her mother leaves when she is seven years old and she loses her siblings shortly after that. Eventually her abusive father stops showing up and she is all alone. She went to school for one day but was teased for being marsh trash and never went back. Each time she goes into town people look away and refuse to let their children near her. The marsh is the one constant in her life. It gives her food and it gives her purpose. She longs to let someone into her life but the pain of being abandoned again drives her decision making.
Owens tells the story of the town through the Andrews investigation so that by the time Kya’s story catches up in time to Andrews’ death the reader has an understanding of who she truly is and who the town thinks her to be. One cannot help but be impressed by Kya’s ability to survive while also identifying a little too closely with the townsfolk.
It is a mystery but a mystery that isn’t really relevant to the story. Andrews’ death moves the story along but ultimately, I didn’t care how Chase Andrews died. Take your time and savor this book. I loved it.
