From Taylor Swift, who was inspired to write an after reading , to my boyfriend, who caught an earful during our most recent road trip and then purchased his own copy to finish the story, it seems that anyone who has indulged in 's beautiful novel has been waiting for one thing—the chance see these characters come to life on-screen.
Produced by Reese Witherspoon's production company, Hello Sunshine, and Sony, with a worldwide release on July 15, the anticipated film adaptation of Where the Crawdads Sing is finally here! The novel has sold more than 12 million copies and has returned to the top of The New York Times fiction bestseller list in both print and audio. It is safe to say that with an opening weekend earning more than $17 million, the excitement that surrounds this novel remains high. But how does the film adaptation compare to the book? Read on to find out.
Warning: The following article contains spoilers for Where the Crawdads Sing novel and movie.
What is Where the Crawdads Sing about?
Where the Crawdad Sing travels between two timelines that slowly become a lyrical and poetic story. The first timeline starts with six-year-old Catherine Danielle Clark (also known as Kya) watching her mother walk away from her family—through most of the novel, she wonders in vain if she will ever return. Kya is left with her four other siblings, who soon follow their mother’s footsteps and leave their home in the marshes of North Carolina to escape their father’s abuse. Kya is devastated when her closest brother in age, Jodie, leaves without her. Little Kya is left alone with Pa, a physically abusive, alcoholic World War II veteran who, in a brief moment of kindness, refrains from getting too drunk and teaches Kya how to fish. When Pa receives a letter from Ma, he spirals out of control, burning any remaining reminders of Ma before leaving and simply never returning home. Kya begins to look at the plants and animals that surround her as a way to sustain herself. She trades mussels and smoked fish for supplies at a gas station owned by a Black couple, Jumpin' and Mabel, who befriend and look out for the young girl as if she were their own. She also develops a close friendship with an older boy, Tate, who teaches her how to read.
The novel's second timeline finds Kya as a young adult and further isolated from the people of the small town of Barkley Cove. Kya is pursued by Chase, who asks her out on a date that she reluctantly accepts. A year later, while still dating and believing they will be married, Kya makes the choice to sleep with Chase, only to be let down when she learns, through a newspaper announcement, that he is engaged to another woman. Three years elapse, during which Kya builds a career as a marsh wildlife expert and artist. Chase catches up to Kya with the intent of continuing their affair, which Kya refuses. Angered at being rejected, Chase beats Kya and attempts to sexually assault her. Kya is able to fight this attack off, telling him, “You bother me again, and I’ll kill ya!” Her threat is overheard by two men that Kya feels sure would never take her side if she reported the incident.
