Literary Letters Vol. 2- Where the Crawdads Sing
In July I read Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. It was a highly recommended read by all types of friends and family, and even suggested (not directly to me, of course) by Reese Witherspoon. Ultimately, it did not disappoint.
Immediately, her familiar way of writing makes you feel like you've already known the characters a while. She dives right into the main conflict of the story- which I loved. It captures your attention immediately. She also does a great job of describing not only the situation they're in but also the actual landscape, which I came to find out is a surprisingly important detail. The landscape helps set the tone and the emotion of the scenes and immerses you fully in the story- as well as aids in character and story development. So don't tune out when she talks in length of the landscape.
The story actually begins many years prior to the conflict she brings up first. She sets the scene ad begins the tale as quickly as she reveals the conflict. I admire the way she matter-of-factly states the story, I suppose you might have to read the book to truly understand what that means. Even though it happens super quickly, not a detail is missing. In the beginning we live Kya's childhood with her, experiencing her daily struggles and thoughts in a firsthand account. We experience her relationship to important characters and get to know her independent personality.
Owens flits between Kya's story and a few other important mentions- always being sure to properly tie Kya in somewhere. This writing style allows you to form personal bonds with most of the characters instead of just the main. It's important and unique to see not only Kya's angle but also the perspective of the other members of her community.
After the first few "chapters" (they're more just scenes) the book tends to drag along. Personally, after the beginning, I couldn't get fully immersed in the book again for a long time. Around 3/4 of my way through the book, right as it seems the mystery will be solved, it's not so slow anymore. But here is where it does feel as if something is missing. Like things may be too simple or something. I can't quite put my finger on it but I was longing for something more to happen! Odd as it sounds, after the book was a slow read, and this part happened so quickly, I almost wished it would have been another slow part of the book 😂 I'm not usually this hard to please! But, the ending. However quick the ending seems, it's where you really get pulled in and the rest of the slow paced book is made worth it. The ending was so well written that I literally felt the emotions Delia Owens was describing, down to a fast-paced heartbeat and sweating palms! For the first time I truly felt like I had been immersed in the story, which is all you could ever ask from a fiction story!
Let me know if you read this book and what you think! Or if you have differing opinions, please leave them in the comments, I'd love to hear other perspectives and opinions.
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