Book Review: Where the Crawdads Sing - Delia Owens

When I picked up this book I had no idea how much of an impact it would have on me. Kya’s story had me hooked from the very beginning enlightening me as I followed Kya’s journey from her difficult upbringing (if you can even call it an upbringing) to her as a blossoming, successful adult.

I think there is a lot to take away from this book. It highlights the hope that no matter what your background looks like, there will always be something you can achieve and be successful at – you just have to put your mind to it. I think Delia Owens also highlights how important it is to recognise your surroundings and learn from them. If you’ve read the book you’ll know this helps Kya create a career for herself, but is also tantamount to her survival.

I found Owen’s novel is very similar to ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ following court proceedings against prejudiced folk – I loved Harper Lee’s tale just as much and appreciate how delicately the books are written to deal with these topics.

Where the Crawdads Sing made me feel so many emotions, I was happy and sad and anxious (and that was just in the last 5 chapters). Sometimes when I read I really feel it in my heart and this was definitely one of those books. I spent the whole 3 days reading it on the edge of my seat, I remember getting frustrated when people tried to talk to me while I read it. Oh, how it lives rent free in my head.

The twist at the end of the book is what sealed the deal for me. I was expecting the book to finish after we hear of Kya in old age in her boat. I think I would have been satisfied with that ending too but Owens wrote on and blew my whole world apart in the last few pages. Admittedly, I think deep down I knew what was going to happen but the way it was written was so fantastic that even though I knew what was happening I was far from disappointed.

This was the first book I read in 2025 and as soon as I’d finished it I said it would be a contender for book of the year. I am writing this in March (I am very behind) and I still believe that this is a high contender for book of the year. I simply cannot give this any less than five stars!