Where the Crawdads Sing
by Delia Owens
About this Book
For years, rumors of the 'Marsh Girl' have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. So in late 1969, when handsome Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals immediately suspect Kya Clark, the so-called Marsh Girl. But Kya is not what they say. Sensitive and intelligent, she has survived for years alone in the marsh that she calls home, finding friends in the gulls and lessons in the sand. Then the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. When two young men from town become intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new life—until the unthinkable happens. 'Where the Crawdads Sing' is at once an exquisite ode to the natural world, a heartbreaking coming-of-age story, and a surprising tale of possible murder.
Discussion Questions
How does the novel's setting in the marshes of North Carolina contribute to its atmosphere and themes?
Discuss the character of Kya and her relationship with the natural world. How does her isolation shape her identity?
How does the novel explore the themes of prejudice, loneliness, and the human need for connection?
What does the ending of the novel reveal about the truth of Chase Andrews' death, and what does it say about justice and morality?