BOOK REVIEW
Where the crawdads sing
Author: Delia Owens
I know this novel has already been read by many and I might, in fact, be one the last to read it, however, it has made such an impact on me that I cannot refuse to review it.
The story is set in the 1950s/ 60s and covers the life of Kya (Catherine) who at the age of six, with the exception of her drunken and abusive father, has been deserted by all her family. Not long after her older siblings leave, her mother also departs under very distressing circumstances.
The family home has been a ‘shack’ in the marshlands of North Carolina.
The only friends Kya has are an older negro couple in the nearby town of Barkley Cove who, after her father finally leaves, supply her with her immediate needs.
Kya grows up with just the marshland birds and animals for comfort and friendship and her knowledge of their habitat, breeding patterns etc provides her with a focus and immense satisfaction.
She is intelligent and artistic and over a period of time produces artwork and books featuring the wildlife creatures of her environment. She spends one day at school after acknowledging that that environment is not suited to her. Consequently, she spends many months dodging the truant officer, who finally decides to leave her be.
As she enters womanhood she has a great yearning to be loved. When two (very different) men from the town enter her life a series of complications arise. There is, unexpectedly, a murder, a court case, and a general feeling of suspicion as to Kya’s involvement, from the townspeople.
This story is painfully beautiful in its innocence. It is beautifully and intelligently written, a book where you ‘just have to turn the next page”.
I would recommend it to anyone who has not yet read it.
ROSALIE HOWARTH
Author: Delia Owens
I know this novel has already been read by many and I might, in fact, be one the last to read it, however, it has made such an impact on me that I cannot refuse to review it.
The story is set in the 1950s/ 60s and covers the life of Kya (Catherine) who at the age of six, with the exception of her drunken and abusive father, has been deserted by all her family. Not long after her older siblings leave, her mother also departs under very distressing circumstances.
The family home has been a ‘shack’ in the marshlands of North Carolina.
The only friends Kya has are an older negro couple in the nearby town of Barkley Cove who, after her father finally leaves, supply her with her immediate needs.
Kya grows up with just the marshland birds and animals for comfort and friendship and her knowledge of their habitat, breeding patterns etc provides her with a focus and immense satisfaction.
She is intelligent and artistic and over a period of time produces artwork and books featuring the wildlife creatures of her environment. She spends one day at school after acknowledging that that environment is not suited to her. Consequently, she spends many months dodging the truant officer, who finally decides to leave her be.
As she enters womanhood she has a great yearning to be loved. When two (very different) men from the town enter her life a series of complications arise. There is, unexpectedly, a murder, a court case, and a general feeling of suspicion as to Kya’s involvement, from the townspeople.
This story is painfully beautiful in its innocence. It is beautifully and intelligently written, a book where you ‘just have to turn the next page”.
I would recommend it to anyone who has not yet read it.
ROSALIE HOWARTH
