m.a.g.

WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING by DELIA OWENS

A fine line is drawn in this wonderful story between despair, loneliness, devastation, longing but also wonder, beauty, simplicity, intellect and hope. Demonstrated by ubiquitous and intense themes of abandonment, the most prevalent being that of the departure of our protagonist’s (Kya) mother and its crippling effect. This leads Kya down a path of trying to comprehend her acts, to conduct a near constant comparison between human actions and sentiment, and those displayed in nature. On the flip side, sheer fascination – or blind devotion as the story progresses- for the marvels surrounding Kya and the acceptance of a self-made family balances out what otherwise would be a gut-wrenching tale.

We can see how small town prejudice hinders intellectual brilliance of those who don’t conform to society’s concept of what is “normal”, one that is powered by love of nature, not by status, money or looks. Fortunately for Kya, her geniusness is brought to life by the most valuable gift: the written word. This is what enables her to excel; no more illiterate marsh girl but a bright, young, poetic naturalist.

The arrival of womanhood launches childhood friendship into romantic interest. The challenges that surface from puberty, both emotional and physical, are experiences that most women struggle with and no one more so than Kya, who has no maternal figure other than mother nature herself.  As it often does, young love crumbles dealing Kya, yet again, another blow, forcing her once more to seek solace in the wild marshes and their inhabitants, their constant presence the reassurance she needs and desires, and which people, time and time again, have never been able to offer her. Through coincidence and perhaps fate, romantic interest then develops into an aromantic relationship with a local womanizer, the strange, misunderstood Marsh Girl is the obvious choice for the key suspect in the murder case. Once again, humanity fails our protagonist and how can we blame her when this cements in her mind the malice of mankind?

This book, although filled with the beauty and wonder of the wild marshes, as seen through the eyes of a child who had known nothing else her whole life, highlights societal cruelty and detrimental preconceptions. The freedom literacy brought Kya at the age of seven, is ultimately what sets free the truth behind the murder.

Where the Crawdads Sing is a combination of a coming-of-age story and an intriguing murder mystery. It tells the story of Kya, a child left to fend for herself in the marshes of North Carolina outcast by the town. Known as the “Marsh Girl » the townsfolk are happy to forget of her existence until the body of a popular, handsome young man is found under mysterious circumstances. The book weaves two timelines together, one being that of Kya’s adolescence and growth, and the second of the discovery of the murder. I found myself on an emotional rollercoaster whilst reading this book, juggling the pity I felt for Kya but also the admiration of her resilience when faced with tragedy time after time. I would highly recommend reading this marvelous tale but be prepared for tears of anger, sadness and, finally, satisfaction at the ending twist.

This book in no way references the movie which was released in 2022

Words: Emma Ambros