Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Narrated by Cassandra Campbell

Synopsis (via Goodreads): A novel about a young woman determined to make her way in the wilds of North Carolina, and the two men that will break her isolation open.

For years, rumors of the "Marsh Girl" have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. She's barefoot and wild; unfit for polite society. So in late 1969, when handsome Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals immediately suspect Kya Clark.

But Kya is not what they say. Abandoned at age ten, she has survived on her own in the marsh that she calls home. A born naturalist with just one day of school, she takes life lessons from the land, learning from the false signals of fireflies the real way of this world. But while she could have lived in solitude forever, the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. Drawn to two young men from town, who are each intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new and startling world--until the unthinkable happens.

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Saying Kya was abandoned at age ten is a kindness. She was basically on her own as soon as her mother and older siblings left. Her good-for-nothing father was around, but not in any way that mattered. His presence wasn't a positive point in Kya's life, but merely something to be tolerated and avoided (if possible). The two eventually shared a few meaningful moments; however, it was hard to overlook how her father had abused his family in the past. His few minutes of sobriety do not outweigh the years she suffered because of his decisions (drunken or otherwise). 

I don't really use the word poignant when writing reviews, because I feel like it only really applies when a book can evoke strong feelings of sadness that have the capability of overwhelming me. Where the Crawdads Sing was both poignant and powerful. Kya learns to love the land she lives on, and she survives on a strong-will and the unexpected kindness of Jumpin' and Mabel. They were two people that loved her like she was their own, but also gave her the space she desired and maybe didn't always need. They helped whenever they could, and I think their presence was a big part of Kya's survival, and definitely the majority of her social interactions. It was also during a time when people of color were still treated abhorrently, but Kya only ever saw their kind-heartedness and understanding. They never pushed her to do anything more than she was comfortable with, but were always there if she needed something (even when she didn't necessarily know how to ask for it).

Tate. Sweet, adorable, gentle Tate. I really loved him from the start, and appreciated his approach to Kya. It was endearing to see how long he had been in her life without her realizing it, and that he'd always done what he could to help her survive in a world that wasn't necessarily fair or kind. His presence was a solid aspect of the story, and he felt like an immovable rock in her ever-flowing life. I'm not thrilled with how he chose to handle certain aspects of their friendship-turned-relationship, but they were both children and didn't always make the best decisions. I can blame their thick-headedness on age and circumstance. Tate is genuinely good though, and I really loved his interactions with Kya over the years. Their dynamics may have changed as they got older, but there was a deep-rooted love that transcended time. 

Where the Crawdads Sing evoked very visceral feelings from me. My emotions were all over the place while reading this book, and it's a credit to the author that I could experience multiple feelings simultaneously. I'm pretty sure Owens made me feel every single known emotion (and even some that don't have names) with her writing, as well as the story she created. Kya is a character that has had a profound impact on my life, and the fact that she's fictional, only makes it that more remarkable. I also think the narrator did a wonderful job with this book, and cannot wait to listen to more books read by her.

The murder mystery was an interesting addition to the story, and it added another -- more immediate -- level of tension that was always hovering in the background. I kept trying to figure out who was responsible for Chase's death, and using the new information I gathered each chapter to figure it out. It was incredible how the author seamlessly weaved something so significant into the rest of the story. I honestly had no idea who it was, and kept circulating through most of the characters until it was revealed at the very end. Side note: Kya's lawyer was one of my favorite characters. He understood her on a level few others did, and he seemed to grasp what she needed without her having to say anything. 

The ending was bittersweet, and left me feeling both satisfied and wanting. I wanted more for Kya, but appreciated that she was happy with the life she lived. I enjoyed watching her grow from a child to an adult, and seeing all of the hard lessons she had to learn along the way. Owens painted an authentic picture that included the intricacies of family and finding oneself in an unforgiving world. It was a very eye-opening experience for me, and one I will treasure always. Where the Crawdads Sing is a story that will stick with you long after you've turned the last page. (★★★★★)