Delia Owens Follow

Beautifully evoked setting and fascinating characters with great story drew me and kept me reading. Some elements didn't ring true, and I felt the last few chapters weren't necessary, but despite that, a great read.

“Where the Crawdads Sing” is written in beautiful prose that is very hard to read. I found myself having little reading ‘rests’, especially during the first chapters. My heart broke for little Kya in her solitary plight. She was such a forgotten soul. During this time there were very few social agencies that would help – a time when segregation was still practiced, a time before ‘welfare’ checks, a time when a tiny girl could get lost right in front of everyone’s noses.

Not many readers could even imagine Kya’s life. She was socially isolated. Completely self-reliant from the age of six. She lived her life with no instruction, no telephone, no electricity. She never had a birthday party, never had a Christmas tree, dinner, or gifts.

I was very surprised to learn that this is a first novel. The author has published a few non-fiction books before this, so obviously she has honed her writing skills before her fiction debut. The characterization and imagery were nothing short of outstanding.

This novel highlights the strength and resiliency of the human spirit as well as the more negative aspects of prejudice and bigotry. It is a book about loss, hope, friendship, and human kindness. It clearly demonstrates the profound impact of social isolation.

This literary fiction novel was as much of a treasure as Kya’s beloved feathers. A rare treat for fans of the genre. A masterpiece. Highly recommended!