WARNING: Here there be spoilers
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Let me preface this by saying that, due its status as a worldwide phenomenon, I wanted to *not* like Where the Crawdads Sing. I wanted to find something about it to pick apart so I could set myself apart from the millions who love it. And, aside from the at times ridiculous dialect, I found nothing to dissect except my own heart.
I fell head over heels for Kya, Jumpin’, Tate, Jodie, Mabel, and Scupper. (And Sunday Justice) I didn’t want the story to end.
By page 50, I was certain that Tate killed Chase. By page 250, I was certain it was Jumpin’. Imagine my surprise at the conclusion! I was so proud of Kya, of all she accomplished, of all she came through. I wish Owens had spent a bit more time exploring Kya and Tate’s life post-trial.
I even, halfway through, Googled Amanda Hamilton. Of course, the search results spoiled that particular plot point, but I was convinced A.H. was a real person, a real poet.
I highly recommend Where the Crawdads Sing. If, like me, you have a natural aversion to the über-popular, take yourself down a peg and just read it. It may not be for everyone, but it was absolutely for me.
Dates read: November 8-9, 2021
Do y’all want to know what became of my copy of Where the Crawdads Sing? I gave it to my mother as part of her Christmas gift. My J.D. Robb-loving mother. I wonder if she’ll actually read it.
In the meantime, I went to a place called Warrior Gabby’s that sells books by the pound and, lo and behold, found another copy of Where the Crawdads Sing (in arguably better condition than the copy I gave my mom). So now it has a place on my fiction shelves. Most of my fiction shelves are TBR, but a few that I really loved are still on there. The rest I share, sell, or donate to others. Migrations and Betty are two of a few others that have that distinction. My all-time favorites have a shelf all to themselves.
What did you think of Where the Crawdads Sing? C’mon, I know you’ve read it. If you haven’t it’s on your TBR, so let’s talk about it!
Til next time,
Emjay Reads 