For those of you who enjoyed resding Where the Crawdads Sing

Not read the book, but went to see the film the other day. Just wonderful. With the young actress from the series 'Ordinary people'.

My husband, having heard the radio version, recommended the book to me. I loved it and was delighted to find the film was on show locally - in Orkney! - so soon after publication. We attended an afternoon showing, along with other pensioners, and were not the only viewers who sat for a long time after the credits had rolled past with tears streaming down our faces. For us, t was a beautiful clear interpretation of the kind of love that is seldom portrayed these days whilst still showing how destructive another kind of 'love' can become. I found it true to the book and just accepted its beauty as a key part of its message(s)....

It’s a good film and ,yes, Kye does look very clean and wholesome but it didn’t particularly bother me. Nice twist at the end as in the book.

I have not read the book but thoroughly enjoyed the film.

All I can say is if you have read the book and enjoyed it, then do do not hesitate to watch the film; it is excellent!

I loved the book, and look forward to seeing the film. Years ago I travelled to North Carolina and went on a tour of the marshlands. I hope that the film captures the beauty of the wetlands I remember.

I loved the book and today went to see the film. Take no notice of the poor reviews - the film is great and two hours sped by.

Whether you've read the book or not, watch to the very end for the twist - I'd forgotten the ending, as is my wont!

Lucca regarding alligators... within the first minute or so there is a brief glimpse of one, then that's it no more gaters!

I loved the book but after poor reviews may give it a miss. Would rather remember it as read. Seems its had a glamour makeover!

Going to see the film today in Port Solent with DD and DGD. We’ll no doubt go for something to eat and a browse around the shops afterwards.

I read the book, excellent! saw the trailer I thought it looked worth watching, but the reviews aren't favourable, so maybe I'll wait till it's on Netflix or wherever. Daisy Edgar Jones, as wonderful as she was in Normal People, looks too well turned out Jack Wills clad to convince as the feral girl Kya eeking out a solitary existence on meagre rations whilst living in a shack all alone on the edge of the remote bayous of Louisiana.

The book is on my list .
I thoroughly recommend the film .
Not too many alligators !

I thought the book was great. I read it during lockdown in 2020 and recommended it highly to others. I think I’ll swerve the cinema although might be tempted when it eventually lands on Netflix! Thanks for that link MOnica it was interesting and to be honest, that photograph at the start of the article is EXACTLY how I had imagined Kya’s home to look, so I’m impressed already!

Shirley48

I enjoyed the book. Saw the film this week and found it very sanitised - you didn’t get the feeling of the likely filth and smells of the swamp. All the clothes were spotlessly clean and the environment was almost always bathed in glowing sunlight. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it!

★*****

Mark Kermode also said "No one gets their hands dirty" - it seems that many people feel this way about it.

* Shirley* So pleased to hear you enjoyed it

I enjoyed the book. Saw the film this week and found it very sanitised - you didn’t get the feeling of the likely filth and smells of the swamp. All the clothes were spotlessly clean and the environment was almost always bathed in glowing sunlight. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it!

I enjoyed the book - it was a bookclub read and everyone gave a high mark.

From what I've read of the film it's a bit sanitised and glossy with not enough Southern swamp and grit. I'd like to see the film.

I enjoyed the book and I’m going to see the film on Friday. Looking forward to it.

I find it problematic that someone is making money from this while, as the link suggests, there are deeply problematic aspects to a crime that she was, at the minimum, a spectator of and where the Zambian authorities are still trying to interview her.

I think your version of the story, CocoPops is somewhat sanitised - compared with the link.

Yes, I see what you mean Monica. Delia Owens was a wildlife biologist and worked in Africa for 20 years before writing fiction. She said using her experience as a nature lover helped her to write "Where the Crawdads Sing". When she, her husband and stepson worked in Zambia part of the conservation work involved an anti-poaching patrol to try to prevent the killing of elephants. An unidentified, alleged poacher person was shot. Delia Owens said she had nothing to do with the killing and has not been accused of anything.
Apparently the Zambian authorities do not believe she was directly involved in the killing but view her as an important potential witness. I don't know if the publicity is good or bad for the movie ratings.
The movie has had mixed reviews and I agree that the marshes look beautified (super photography) on film as did Kya's dresses. The book location was North Carolina and the movie location was Louisiana. The movie is only 2 hours 5 mins long so not everything in the book could be crammed in. The romance was revved up a bit, great scenery and posh frocks gets bum on seats though!

I haven't read this book, but when searching for something else, I came across this review of the book/film and article on the back ground of the author. www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2022/07/where-the-crawdads-sing-movie-review-delia-owens/670533/?utm_source=pocket-newtab-global-en-GB ,, which left me feeling very uneasy about whether the author is fictionalising a very troubling (to others) period in her life.

CocoPops

Lucca. I remember seeing one alligator at the beginning.

Thank you !

It made me go back and reread East of Eden.

JackyB

I can't say I "enjoyed" the book. I think, though, that I would prefer to keep it in my memory as I read it and won't be going to see the film (if it should ever be screened here in the original English)

I think this is how I feel too.
It is a really well written book and I felt so sorry for that brave girl but also upset that so few people helped her.
I did feel bored too at times and think maybe it needed to be a shorter book? There were a lot of drawn out descriptive pieces.Perhaps others liked those though.

I knew it had been filmed but won’t go to see it. I didn’t think much of the book. The descriptions are lovely but the murder story is clumsy and stupid and the poems are awful.

Lucca. I remember seeing one alligator at the beginning.