This eloquently written novel by Delia Owens follows a young girl named Kya who is abandoned by her mother and siblings and left with an abusive father. Eventually, Kya’s only companion is the marsh and the life within it. Living in a shack and sometimes under the stars, Kya learns to survive at a young age in the harsh conditions of the North Carolina cost. Her only companions become the birds and the fish of the marshlands. As she grows, so does her isolation, her fear of people, and her need for love.

When Kya becomes a teenager, a boy named Tate who knew her as a small child befriends her, teaches her, and soon falls in love with her. When Tate leaves for college Kya feels even more abandoned than ever before. Looking for something to abate the loneliness, Kya is intrigued by a boy from town, Chase. He cannot resist Kya’s wildness and soon she is the object of his desire.

Born an outcast, Kya’s soul is in the land, but not in the ways of society. Time doesn’t change the community’s view of her, but only hardens it. Kya’s reputation of leading a savage existence in the marshlands brings her danger and more heartache than she could ever expect. When Chase is found dead, Kya’s secret world in the marshlands is put at jeopardy.

The chapters flip between Kya’s coming-of-age story and the investigation of Chase’s death. This story is a mix of romance, mystery, and nature which is right up my alley. However, I normally don’t dive into coming-of-age stories. To top it off, Delia Owens uses extremely descriptive and flowery language. At first, I was afraid I would be left feeling like I was reading a literary work of art instead assigned in school instead of a heart-wrenching love story. Boy, was I wrong! After the first few chapters—which were admittedly a bit slow while adjusting to the author’s writing style—I was hooked.  

The extremely artistic language and poems throughout the novel created an ambiance where I felt like I lived in the marshlands with Kya. I finished this novel in two days because I didn’t want to leave the lowlands of herons and shrimp to enter reality. In truth, it was the isolation felt by Kya that gnawed at my soul. She is relatable beyond measure. Feeling alone in the harsh world, without a tribe, is something I believe we have all felt at one time or another.

I think it is fascinating how Delia Owens created the character, Kya, from her own experiences with isolation while studying wildlife in Africa. She rips at the reader, page by page, portraying the changes in the human spirt and psyche due to seclusion. Delia illustrates the similarities and differences of life in the wild versus human nature in society. It left me wondering what would become of me if I faced Kya’s same challenges. I can guarantee you I wouldn’t be as brave as this girl!

This novel made me wish I could befriend Kya and live in the marshlands, watching the birds and the tides all day. I don’t believe you can read this book without craving the cost. I highly recommend Where the Crawdads Sing if you are in the mood to read a deeply painful, but inspiring novel. Make sure to make your favorite coffee and bring the tissues because you’re going to need some comfort when you step into Kya’s marsh.

Leave me wild and free. I’ll meet you where the crawdads sing.

If you’ve read this book, please let me know what you think!