Where the Crawdads Sing

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock the last two years, you will have heard about the publishing juggernaut of a book that is Where The Crawdads Sing. If you’re an avid reader, it’s very likely that you’ll have read it. And loved it.

First published in hardback in the UK in January 2019 by Corsair, an imprint of Little, Brown, it put debut fiction author Delia Owens firmly on the map aged 70.

Crossing genres in style, this was one of the LoveReading team’s favourite novels of the year, way before it became a mass market phenomenon. 

Set in the marshlands of North Carolina, the majority of this story takes place in the 1950’s and 60’s. The prologue begins in 1969 with the body of Chase Andrews being found in the marsh. 

The central character is Kya, we meet her as a child, and the truth of her life is immediately apparent. As the novel moves backwards and forwards in time, Kya emerges as the Marsh Girl, and suspicion begins to hound her after the body is found. 

It’s an ode to the natural world, a heart-breaking coming-of-age story, and a surprising tale of possible murder. Owens reminds us that we are forever shaped by the children we once were, and that we are all subject to the beautiful and violent secrets that nature keeps.

You fall in love with the marsh and the girl who lives there. It’s truly touching, almost hauntingly beautiful, and opens a doorway to a different world. 

Reese Witherspoon chose the novel as her book club pick back in September 2018 and acquired the rights to develop the hugely successful book into a movie.

By December 2019, the book had sold over 4.5 million copies and sold more print copies in 2019 than any other adult title, fiction or non-fiction. 

In October 2020 it was announced that Normal People’s Daisy Edgar-Jones had landed the starring role of Kya in the film adaptation from 3000 Pictures, Hello Sunshine and Sony. What’s not to love about the whole project!?

In May 2021 it was announced that the book had sold 11 million copies around the globe. It’s currently the number 1 again on the New York Times Bestseller List and has been on the list for a total of two years and eight months. Wow, that’s quite a journey for a debut novel.

Also in May it won the British Book Awards Book of The Year (Page Turner).

Just this weekend Edgar-Jones shared the exciting news on Instagram that they have completed filming along with some behind the scenes pictures. 

Now we just have to wait as the movie isn’t set to hit movie theatres until June 24, 2022. Pop the date in your diary, we are sure it won’t disappoint. And, just to be clear, if you haven’t read this book. DO!