A review by kghunter
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

emotional inspiring mysterious relaxing sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is the first book I’ve ever read that’s based where I grew up (not exact but in the N.C. OBX). It is now one of my favorite books ever, a heartbreaking but marvelous read. The ecological and environmental imagery is magnificent. My only critique as a born and raised local is that if you know the area you know the author, Owens, isn’t from here because she stays talking about Asheville like it’s a day trip. All I have to say to that is—sweet heart, dear darling Delia, I wish you’d of looked at the map just a beat longer when writing this because that kept breaking my immersion lol. But, the Greenville references were a solid addition so the occasional eastern to western N.C. space time continuum jumps were made up for in part. 

Update: I’ve gone back and forth on my rating for this, hesitating to give it a full 5 stars bc i felt it didn’t objectively measure up to the quality of the other books I’ve given 5 stars on this app so far. But ya know what, fuck that sound (if you didn’t understand this marsh adjacent pun then you ain’t my people and i need you to stop reading my reviews rn. like actually, i’m being so serious, please collect your belongings and vacate my account immediately thnkugudbye) because I love this book so much I considered buying my own copy to make a custom cover for it (I book bind as a hobby) and mailing to the authors P.o. box just as a thank you for writing it because I’m a massive dweeb. 

There were so many times reading this book that I cried, that I smiled until my cheeks hurt, that my pulse quickened in suspense. I love this book so dearly and I hope one day I find the time to make a custom copy for the author. 
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