Where the Crawdads Sing is a crime novel built upon elements of Southern Gothic, coming-of-age, and romance. Delia Owens blends this concoction of literary ingredients into a narrative I did not want to let go of, surrounding a character I would die for.
Kya Clark, a ten-year-old girl, lives alone in the marshes of North Carolina, abandoned by her family and shunned by her small town as trash. Without school, a job, or friends, Kya only has the marsh to turn to, leading to a fascination with the other marsh-dwelling creatures. The gulls become her friends, the waves her teachers, and the sand her home. Kya’s connection with the marsh runs deep, but it is not enough; her desire for human connection draws her towards the townspeople whom she could never trust. In finding love, Kya opens herself up to new possibilities for an integrated life. The choice is stolen from her when the golden boy of the town is found dead in the marsh, and Kya, the so-called “Marsh Girl,” is thrust into the town’s spotlight as fingers start pointing. Battling a town riddled with prejudice and a taste for vengeance, Kya must protect herself and find her way back to the marsh, the best friend she’s ever known. Continue reading “Delia Owens, Where the Crawdads Sing”
