Delia Owens | Fiction
Three out of the last five books I read were non-fiction, and I claim to be primarily a fiction reader, so it was terrific to be deposited into the arms of a wonderful novel. I felt like I was lying in a big pile of pillows whenever I read a few chapters from Crawdads.
This is the story of Kya, “The Marsh Girl” who grew up completely alone in the marshland of North Carolina. When her tale begins, it is 1952, Kya is six, and for a few chapters she has family around her. And then no more. We live with her for 18 years, through 1970, and participate in her remarkable development as a marsh specialist, having attended school for only one day. In 1969, this isolated young woman who has no friends and no standing at all in the nearby community, except as an anomaly to be feared, is accused of murder.
This is a great read! I am quite enamored. I must eat a bit of crow, however, for my criticism in other blog posts of The New York Times Bestseller List. During my reading of Where the Crawdads Sing, it was in the top spot on The NY Times list.
I watched an interview with the author on CBS Sunday Morning a month or two ago (do you watch that – it’s usually very good). Like her character, she is an interesting person. Have this on my list. I think this author now lives in the NW but I can’t remember where.
I’m so glad you liked this one. I loved it too.
Just finished – what a great read. The author’s writing is engaging, especially her use of metaphors. I tend to shy away from “southern fiction” – usually too syrupy sweet – but this is almost a genre of its own. I felt like I was living in the marsh with Kya.