Where the Crawdads Sing is a novel by American author Delia Owens. It unfolds through dual timelines—the story of Catherine "Kya" Clark, growing up in the marshes of North Carolina from 1952, and the investigation into the death of Chase Andrews, a young man from a prominent family in the nearby town, in 1969.
Kya's young life is marked by abuse and abandonment. At the age of 10, after being abandoned by her battered mother and older siblings, and eventually her volatile father, Kya is left to fend for herself in the marsh. She is ostracized by the townsfolk of Barkley Cove and dubbed the "Marsh Girl." Despite her lack of education, she grows up with a deep understanding of the natural world around her. On the strength of her own resilience and with the help of a few kind locals, including Jumpin' and his wife Mabel, and Tate Walker, who becomes her friend and, later, her lover, she not only survives but thrives. Eventually, she becomes the respected author of reference books on seashells and seabirds. Kya's isolation and unique way of life, however, make her the subject of suspicion and gossip.
When Chase Andrews is found dead, Kya becomes a person of interest, due to her outsider status and their romantic history. Before long, she is arrested and charged with murder. Ultimately, thanks to a dedicated lawyer and the support of her friends, Kya is acquitted. She reconnects with her siblings and goes on to enjoy a fulfilling life with Tate. But the novel leaves her innocence open to question until the very end.
Where the Crawdads Sing also explores themes of loneliness, survival, and the human connection to nature. The novel's title, inspired by a phrase used by Kya's mother, signifies the vast, untouched reaches of the natural world that play a critical role in Kya's life.
Since its publication, Where the Crawdads Sing has achieved significant commercial success, becoming a #1 New York Times bestseller, with sales of more than 18 million copies worldwide, and being selected for Reese's Book Club. It was adapted into a major motion picture in 2022.
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About the author
Delia Owens is an acclaimed American author, zoologist, and conservationist recognized for her contributions to wildlife science and literature. Best known for her 2018 debut novel, Where the Crawdads Sing, she has significantly impacted both scientific and literary communities. Born in Southern Georgia in 1949, Owens was mesmerized by the wilderness from a young age, a fascination that shaped her academic and professional paths. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in zoology from the University of Georgia, followed by a PhD in animal behavior from the University of California, Davis.
During the 1970s and '80s, Delia Owens and her former husband, Mark Owens, embarked on extensive wildlife research and conservation efforts in Africa. Their experiences became the subject of three bestselling nonfiction books—Cry of the Kalahan, The Eye of the Elephant, and Secrets of the Savanna—illustrating their dedication to conserving African wildlife and battling poaching. These works, combined with their scientific research, established Owens as a prominent figure in wildlife conservation, earning her several awards, including the John Burroughs Award for Nature. She is co-founder of the Owens Foundation for Wildlife Conservation.
After returning to the United States, Owens continued her conservation efforts, focusing on bear conservation in Idaho, where she resided for many years before relocating to a former horse farm near Asheville, North Carolina.
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