Delia Owen’s novel Where The Crawdads Sing has been an international best-seller for a couple of years, topping book lists for weeks on end, and I have been late reading it.
But this is a perfect case of better late than never. ‘Crawdads’ is a magical work, a novel of the highest order and a perfect balance in modern literature – classic, almost mystical writing but at the same time a compelling, commercial book able to satisfy readers across all sectors of society.
The tale of Kya, a little girl living and growing up alone in the Carolina marshland – a life spent at one with the nature around her and touched by love and murder – ‘Crawdads’ is achingly moving and full of wisdom.
It is also a book depicting an incredible sense of place. Living and growing with Kya, the reader is completely centred in her marsh world. We become acutely aware of the ebbs and flows of the water, the sweep and noises of the trees and birds and the highs and lows of a life living at one with her environment.
Writing this good is rare and when you discover it you are sad, as I was, when the book comes to an end. If you are late to Where The Crawdads Sing too then you have a remarkable jewel to relish.
Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens is published by:
Hardback – G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Paperback – Corsair
Kindle – Corsair
Also available on Audiobook
Delia Owens - https://www.deliaowens.com