Reading: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

"I'm equal parts excited and terrified to see how Hollywood handles the movie."

I realize I’m late to the book party on Where the Crawdads Sing, but guess what? That’s the beauty of books. They don’t expire.

My husband read this two or three years ago, and he said then: You have to read this book.

And then my friends would read it, and one-by-one, they’d all say: You have to read this book.

But here’s the thing, most readers have books on their TBR (to be read) shelf or on their night stand for as long as it takes to get to that particular book. And it takes as long as it takes. It’s been on my radar for a while.

I did the same thing when Gone Girl released, and I did it again with Girl on the Train. It took me a while to pick up both of those. If I had to guess, I probably heard they were going to be made into movies, and only then did I decide to give them a read.

Again, there is no expiration date on books. You can read books whenever you decide the time is right.

For me, when I heard Where the Crawdads Sing movie is being released in July, I decided now was the time to read the book—just in time for the movie. Anyone else noticing a pattern?

And holy cow… WOW! Days later, I am still processing everything I loved about this book.

Where the Crawdads Sing was everything I loved in a story. The characters were incredibly developed. I adored Kya and her will to survive everything life threw at her.

The setting was a well-developed character (I love when writers do that), placing the reader directly in the middle of the story (or directly in the middle of the marsh :-) ), as if they’re truly there.

I loved that a murder mystery was woven throughout the story, yet I wouldn’t consider this story a mystery necessarily. I’m still thinking on that aspect.

I loved the courtroom drama, yet I wouldn’t consider this a legal thriller.

I love that there was romance woven throughout the book, yet I wouldn’t consider the book a romance.

Where the Crawdads Sing is mostly a literary coming of age story. And, to be honest, that’s probably why I was slow to pick it up. I don’t typically rush to read coming of age stories. But so many people told me I had to read this one, so here we are. And now I’m telling you: If you haven’t already, go pick up a copy of Where the Crawdads Sing. And do it fast before the movie releases next month. (I am equal parts excited and terrified to see how Hollywood handles the movie. Anyone else?)

For those needing a description of the book, here’s what the publisher says:

For years, rumors of the “Marsh Girl” have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. So in late 1969, when handsome Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals immediately suspect Kya Clark, the so-called Marsh Girl. But Kya is not what they say. Sensitive and intelligent, she has survived for years alone in the marsh that she calls home, finding friends in the gulls and lessons in the sand. Then the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. When two young men from town become intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new life—until the unthinkable happens.

Where the Crawdads Sing is at once an exquisite ode to the natural world, a heartbreaking coming-of-age story, and a surprising tale of possible murder. Owens reminds us that we are forever shaped by the children we once were, and that we are all subject to the beautiful and violent secrets that nature keeps.

If you’ve read Where the Crawdads Sing, I’d love to discuss it in the comments. If you haven’t read the book and don’t wish to read spoilers about the book, don’t venture into the comments.