I KnowWhere the Crawdads Sing

I’ve started the book when I had covid but just couldn’t get into it, after all these recommendations I’m going to have another go.

My husband watched "Where the Crawdads Sing" on the plane going to America. I told him he wouldn't like it as its not his kind of story, but he was engrossed and when it finished he said it was excellent.
I watched Arsenic and old Lace and had a good giggle.

Sarah75 I've got Cry of the Kalahari' It was a great read. I give my books away once I've read and having just moved got rid of lots before moving, so clearly mixed up the authors. 'An Elephant in my kitchen' is another good read by Franciose Malby set in the African bush. I lived in Africa for 6yrs, so love anything like that. Where the Crowdads sing reminded me of the African bush. 'Sunrising' & 'The sun is bright' by Susan Hubert, set in Rhodesia [now Zimbabwe] where I also lived for 2yrs are also a great read.

Karen Dionne wrote The Wicked Sister

grannyactivist
I’m always picking up books in the charity shops that I’ve read.
I’ve more than once seen a nice piece clothing and think ooh, that’s nice then I come to and realise I donated it.
And I haven’t got amnesia to blame 😂
Keep well.

Yoginimeisje

I've just finished one of her other books called The wicked sister couldn't put it down it was sooo good. Only problem for me was I read just before going to sleep, not a good time to read this book as it was a horror! I would never read a horror book or watch a horror film, but once I'd started reading, I couldn't put it down. I'm now reading the 'silent patient, that my DD gave me, halfway through so need a recommendation for my next, think I've read most of the author of 'crowdads'.

I wonder if you’re confusing the author of Where the Crawdads sing - Delia Owens - with someone else? Her other books are about the Kalahari.

I really enjoyed the book and watched the movie with reservations, because so much about the book I enjoyed was the descriptions about the setting.

The movie did not disappoint me though. It was beautifully filmed, and to me it captured the essence of the book.

Thank you MerylStreep and Farzanah - I’ve actually been poorly for the almost three weeks now, but I got up and dressed this morning, so things are moving in the right direction. 🥳 (Though I did fall asleep for the whole afternoon!)

My memory has great holes in it ever since I had my first episode of amnesia and I’m unable to read a book at the moment because I keep forgetting what I’ve read. 🤪

Luckygirl such a lovely write up by you, you could probably do a good book yourself!
A beautifully written book, it’s always a treat to find a decent read. I’m always nervous of watching a movie after that. So think I will pass.

Sorry to hear you’ve been ill grannyactivist. Just love your username.

I've just finished one of her other books called The wicked sister couldn't put it down it was sooo good. Only problem for me was I read just before going to sleep, not a good time to read this book as it was a horror! I would never read a horror book or watch a horror film, but once I'd started reading, I couldn't put it down. I'm now reading the 'silent patient, that my DD gave me, halfway through so need a recommendation for my next, think I've read most of the author of 'crowdads'.

grannyactivist

I watched this at the cinema just a few weeks ago and I hardly remember a thing about it.

grannyactivist
I wouldn’t worry about it 😄 I sometimes forget what I had for dinner the night before 😱
Considering how ill you’ve been it’s lovely that your out and about 😊

Seen the film and enjoyed it. Will now read the book.

I read the book, really good, would love to see the film.

Awful, boring film. So glad I’ve not read the book.

We are all different, and that is good. But anyone could watch it and not remember, seems so bizarre to me. Ah well...

I watched this at the cinema just a few weeks ago and I hardly remember a thing about it.

The book was OK, but I don’t think it lived up to its hype. It was similar to much literature I’ve read about the Deep South of USA.

Loved the book. I too was not keen to watch the film because they often over glamorise, and the film usually bears little resemblance to the book (plus this film had poor reviews).

I watched it in the end and loved it.

Fleurpepper

Sarah75

Fleurpepper

Crawdogs, btw.

???

Sincere apologies- just checked our CineClub list for 2022 season, and it said Crawdogs.

If anybody is still in any doubt as to what Crawdads are

Crawdad is an American slang word for crayfish: these crustaceans cannot sing, but when Kya's mother encouraged her to explore the marsh, she would often say: "Go as far as you can -– way out yonder where the crawdads sing. ."

Loved the book, resisted the film, because “the film of the book” so often disappoints (!) but I’ll give it a go now and from what I have read here and elsewhere, think I’ll enjoy it.

I loved the book and thought the ending was predictable. Haven't seen the film but might give it a go.

Sorry, that was meant for GrannyGravy13. I loved the book and the film.

I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

I read the book as it was so highly recommended here on GN. Thought it was just "meh". Wasn't surprised by the ending. Decided to give the film a miss.

Here is a review I did of the book for a local mag .......

Don't read on if you do not want to know anything about the plot!!! ...

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Kya Clark is born into a troubled family in post-war North Carolina, where they live in a glorified hut on the local marsh. Her father, once rich, fell on hard times and brought his wife and children to this isolated place, where family life falls apart under the influence of his drinking and violence, and over time they all leave, except Kya who is left behind to raise herself from a very young child. Dodging the education department officials, she earns her keep fishing for mussels and selling these on to “Jumpin’”, a black man who, shunned by the village, runs a small local shop selling petrol for the boats that use the lagoons and marshes, and basic food requirements. Kya too is shunned by the villagers, labelled the Marsh Girl, and treated with suspicion.
Her only friend is local boy Tate Walker, who coaxes her into conversation with gifts of feathers – a perfect lure for nature-loving Kya. Their paths diverge when he leaves for college and Kya is left as prey for the local buck, Chase Andrews.
Fast forward to the 1960s and Chase’s body is found at the base of an abandoned fire tower in the swamp. Kya is the sheriff’s first and only suspect.
The book is full of stereotypes: poor black families and rich middle class narrow-minded upright citizens who protect their children from the dangers of any fleeting association with the Marsh Girl. But the overwhelming redeeming feature of the book is the lyrical description of the marsh and its wildlife which peppers this novel. The author is herself a renowned naturalist, zoologist and conservationist who spent a large part of her life in near or true wildernesses both in America and in Africa where she and her husband worked to conserve lion and elephant habitats – the parallels with her protagonist are clear. And her love of the wild shines through the character of Kya. Owens’ story is somewhat marred by the fact that she and her (now estranged) husband are still wanted in Zambia for the alleged murder of a poacher.
Kya, having been steeped in the life of the marsh and isolated from human company, acquires her life lessons from the world of nature around her: “Most of what she knew, she'd learned from the wild. Nature had nurtured, tutored, and protected her when no one else would.” But it was not always a very helpful learning ground for establishing relationships with her fellow humans: “Female fireflies draw in strange males with dishonest signals and eat them; mantis females devour their own mates. Female insects, Kya thought, know how to deal with their lovers.”
There is some good writing here, and a well-constructed and suspenseful courtroom sequence. It is definitely worth a read – or a watch, as this novel has been turned into a successful film.