Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens is a memorable book on many levels: complicated family dynamics, a little girl’s struggle to survive, wildlife, and the nature of people. The story takes place almost entirely in North Carolina marshland and toggles between the 1950s and 1960s.
Catherine Danielle Clark, called Kya, watches as one at a time her family members leave home because of her abusive father. First her older siblings, then her mother, and finally her beloved older brother closest to her in age. It’s not unusual for her father to leave her alone for days. When he’s home and sober, life isn’t too bad. At least she feels some protection and they sometimes fish together. But then one day he doesn’t come home at all. She’s seven years old and alone in the world with no one to protect, guide, or provide for her.
Toggling into the 1960s, a young man’s body is found. It looks as though he’s fallen, or perhaps pushed from an old fire tower. Clues are scarce, but people have their suspicions.
Kya remembers seeing her mother prepare some food, but she soon runs out of money to even buy grits. She gathers mussels and trades them for cash to a kind black man who sells gasoline to boaters from a pier in the closest town, Barkley Cove.
As the story develops, we see how Kya views a world that ignores her. Very few people even take notice of “the Marsh Girl.” Her heart and soul develop in the marsh. For her, the marsh is family.
I found this a remarkable story, emotional and moving. I couldn’t put the book down. And I learned a lot, too, about life “way out yonder, where the crawdads sing.”
I read a review of this book in the WSJ when it first appeared in print. I took heart from the author’s ;senior citizen’ age of 69 and the fact her debut novel took her 10 years to write. (There’s hope for all of us.) In the article Ms. Owens, a wildlife scientist, recalls her mother telling her to explore the Georgia marshes and “go way out yonder where the crawdads sing.” What a lyrical invitation to inspiration. I need to get reading this book—thanks for the nudge.
What an interesting story, Judith. As I read the book I thought that the author certainly knew about marshland wildlife. Now I know why.
A great review, Mary. I’ve had it in mind for a while to read Where the Crawdads Sing. My list just gets longer and longer.
I loved this book, Irene. The marsh details are amazing.