Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia OwensMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Author Delia Owens uses the North Carolina marsh as the setting for this captivating story. Its main character, Kya -- also known as the "marsh girl" -- finds herself isolated from the townspeople. Abandoned by her parents and siblings, she in effect, raises herself. Kya develops an intimate relationship with the flora and fauna around her. They are her refuge from a community that has relegated her to the lowest rung of their society.
My favorite part of this book is how the author constructs a richly detailed geographical environment that becomes central to the novel's plot. Without knowing it, the reader cannot help but to develop a reverence for this place. Kya's ability to navigate the water, and to live in harmony with her surroundings give her the skills that, one could argue, saved her life.
Owens deftly explores several overlapping themes in this novel: race relations, class divisions, environmentalism, family, love. This is a murder mystery and a whole lot more. I give this book 5 stars.
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