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Kristina (502 KP) rated Where the Crawdads Sing in Books

Dec 7, 2020

Where the Crawdads Sing

Delia Owens | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry, Mystery

8.9

(13 Ratings)

Book Rating

The imagery in this book is phenomenal. I can't begin to describe the beauty in Owens' words, the scenery she implants straight into your head - it's incredible.
Kya, also known as the Marsh Girl by the local town residents, is an unbearably shy and skittish young lady who grows up within the deep recesses of the marsh (hence her name), abandoned - one by one - by her entire family and left to fend for herself. For over 10 years, she lives off the land, exploring and learning by watching life in the wild. Through different circumstances, she encounters a few acquaintances along the way, most of whom disappoint her enough that she's permanently convinced life is better alone, despite the yearning to be with someone who will never leave her.
I feel as if Kya can be understood and empathized with by just about anyone. She's relatable in so many ways, especially as she navigates the discoveries of new emotions, of life and love in general. You can't help but hurt for her, root for her, cheer her on and wish to physically defend her honor against the prejudices she endures. I loved this book so very much, and I think I loved Kya even more.

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ClareR (5906 KP) rated How Much Of These Hills is Gold in Books

Jun 12, 2020

This is not your typical Western, although it set in the old Wild West. Lucy and Sam, two Chinese-American children, set off on their own to bury their father and to find the life that their mother wanted for them. Their father had gold fever and gambled their money away, their mother wanted an education and choices for her children - as well as somewhere safe to live. The fact that this story is based on two children alone is enough of an indicator that their parents wishes weren’t successful.

There are flashbacks to the life that they had prior to the death of their parents, and these really showed what a hard life gold prospecting and coal mining was - particularly if you weren’t seen as true Americans.

I loved this book - the descriptions of the landscape were stunning, the story of the difficult, uncertain lives the main characters experienced was at times heart-rending. I liked that we weren’t involved in the thought processes of their persecutors - we see everything from Lucy, Sam and their parents perspectives. We get a glimpse into the world of an immigrant family and of how little it seems to have changed with regards to attitudes.

I’d really recommend this book - it was a rewarding, if sad, read.