Synopsis: 

For years, rumors of the “Marsh Girl” have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. So in late 1969, when handsome Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals immediately suspect Kya Clark, the so-called Marsh Girl. But Kya is not what they say. Sensitive and intelligent, she has survived for years alone in the marsh that she calls home, finding friends in the gulls and lessons in the sand. Then the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. When two young men from town become intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new life–until the unthinkable happens.

*Insert several deep sighs here* A good friend of mine suggested that she, I, and another one of our good friends read this story together as we have read a few other good books in the past and have been left—to say the least— “beautifully scarred.” Some of them, containing unforgettable characters and storylines, have left a lasting impression on us. Believe me, it helps to have someone to unload on when you’ve just experienced literary trauma. Book clubs are a wonderful thing.

Also, seeing as this was selected for Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine Book Club—and I’ve always loved her (she’s a southern girl. I’m biased.)—I figured, why not.

Now, I have to say, the story started off a little slow for me, but the fact that I knew that there was love and murder involved was enough to keep me reading. With that said…let me tell you…Where the Crawdads Sing did not disappoint!!! In fact, I finished the book days ago and I still find myself pondering the contents of this story.

(Standing Ovation) Well done, Ms. Delia Owens!!!

Set over a period of time, starting from the early 1950s, Where the Crawdads Sing takes place in the small fictional town of Barkley Cove, North Carolina, where racial segregation is the norm and the poor caucasians who live in the marsh lands are treated just as unfairly as the African Americans. Kya—also known as the marsh girl—is considered nothing more than poor white trash to the town’s residents and spends most of her time alone, living in a rundown shack in the swampy region. As Kya comes of age, we see her battle the woes of loneliness and heartbreak at the hands of the people she loves the most. Of course she has help along the way from—might I add—some of my favorite characters like Tate, Jumpin’ and Mable, but overall, Kya ends up depending on herself in order to survive...by any means necessary.

Which brings me to my next point…

!!!SPOILER ALERT!!!

IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE BOOK, I RECOMMEND THAT YOU CLICK OUT OF THIS REVIEW IMMEDIATELY!!!

LAST CHANCE…

Okay, if you haven’t read the book and you’re still reading this review, then I guess spoilers don’t bother you much. That’s your prerogative. I trust the rest of you have read it and are eager to read someone else’s thoughts on the ending. Here’s mine…

I CAN’T BELIEVE SHE ACTUALLY DID IT!!!

She killed Chase after all! I have to admit, I was rooting for Kya during the trial like we were childhood best friends, and come to find out, the girl actually killed the man. I would have pointed the finger at anybody else! Jumpin’, Tate, Jodie—shoot—even Chases wife, Pearl! Finding out that it was Kya gave me conflicting feelings about her like I’m sure it gave Tate when he found that poem hidden in the floor boards. Imagine his surprise to discover he’d been living with a killer all those years!

Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t a fan of Chase’s, and I even understand why Kya felt like she had to do it, but my girl…murder is murder! I must have stayed up for hours after finishing the book, staring big-eyed at the ceiling, thinking to myself that Kya actually took the bus back to Barkley Cove dressed as either a man or an elderly woman (who knows which…maybe both!), hopped in her boat and zipped across the waters to the fire tower, pushed Chase clean off it, walked up to his dead body, retrieved the shell necklace, and left like it was all in a day’s work. *Deeeep sigh*shaking my head*clutching my nonexistent pearls *

Overall, the book was good. Really good in my opinion. I hear Reese is turning it into a movie. Hey, I’m looking forward to it. Now, Reese, I’ve been watching your movies since your Freeway days, so I'm trusting you’ll do your best to make this good. Don’t let us down, girl. I even went through google images and casted the characters myself.

(Kya…Tate…Chase)

In any event, like I recommend with all books turned into movies…READ THE BOOK FIRST! Movies tend to add, cut, copy, and paste in areas the author never intended. Next thing we know, Kya is blonde and blue-eyed instead of having her signature, long dark hair and black eyes. Stick with the story, Reese!

Anyway, that’s all for now.

Ms. Delia, thank you for this riveting read! I wish you continued success during your writing journey.

As always, happy reading ya’ll!