Where the Crawdads Sing: Chapter 1-14

[Winter, Group Reads]

This is the discussion thread for Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens Chapter 1-14

[Susan]

Starting this the second the sun is up as well as my husband :) I am so SO excited to start this book with all of you (whoever is joining that is)

[SarahKat, Buddy Reads]

I'm liking the dual timeline. A lot of books I've read that have that, the timelines are decades apart, while this one is only about 15 years to begin with I think? But the "past" is catching up pretty quickly.

Kya interests me from a psychological standpoint. Growing up the way she is will not leave her unscathed.

[Winter, Group Reads]

Began reading today. Just one chapter so far, but I have a weekend home and hoping to read more then.

[L Y N N]

I am so curious about the red fibers! And poor Kya! Those boys coming out to the cabin just to bang in the door. Sounds like it was probably a dare. I just hope whoever is leaving feathers is trying to be nice and not lure her into some evil trap!

[Ilona]

I have read the first 7 chapters so far, and have a bit of trouble with the writing style. At times this (what I assume is) North Carolina dialect is quite hard to understand. Hopefully, I'll get used to it soon.

[Catherine]

I was worried I would have trouble with the dialect too, but I got used to it. I’m really enjoying this! I have somehow managed to avoid spoilers so I wasn’t sure what this book was about. It’s very good so far.

[Winter, Group Reads]

Ilona wrote: "I have read the first 7 chapters so far, and have a bit of trouble with the writing style. At times this (what I assume is) North Carolina dialect is quite hard to understand. Hopefully, I'll get u..."

I'm not quite used to the dialect yet, but it's a bit easier than the first chapters and definitely intriguing so far.

[Dan]

I have been pleasantly surprised by this book so far. I guess I wasn't sure what to expect. The murder mystery element has me engaged.

[Catherine]

Dan wrote: "I have been pleasantly surprised by this book so far. I guess I wasn't sure what to expect. The murder mystery element has me engaged."

I had no idea there was a whole murder mystery element to this book. I'm amazed that I really didn't read or hear any spoilers about this because I'm in several Facebook groups where this book has been discussed for months. It was a nice surprise for me since mysteries are my favorite genre. I had put off reading this book in part because I thought it was mostly about nature and I wasn't sure whether it would hold my interest for a whole book.

[Winter, Group Reads]

I'm still in these first week chapters, but it's been very interesting. I'm curious to how the murder connects to her.

[Ashleigh]

Started listening to it on audio. So far, IIM finding it interesting and engaging :)

[Catherine]

This would be a very interesting book to do as an audio book. Does the narrator have an accent?

[Ashleigh]

Catherine, I'm LOVING the accents from the narrator. I actually think it's making the story more interesting!

[Catherine]

That is great! I loved the book so I am happy to hear that the audio version is just as good or better.

[Jenn]

I just finished this first section and I am enjoying the book so far, but looking forward to a more grown up Kya. I'm hoping she'll begin to have more interaction with other people because I think it will make for a more interesting read. I'm a little surprised that everyone in her family managed to leave and never return - it seems like someone would have ended up in a bad enough situation to go back. Or if they were in a better situation, that they might go and check on her.

I definitely want to know more about the murder investigation.

[Ashleigh]

I also just finished listening to the first part. I have done some other group reads on audio and was beginning to wonder if audio just wasn't for me, but this book is proving that it may have just been the other books haha.

I really like Kya. I feel for her, the fact that everyone has abandoned her in her life, and she's trying to make it on her own as a young girl. I am looking forward to seeing what comes of her as she grows too.

Very interesting and well written story so far!

[Kelly]

It’s funny- I am Canadian but having spent enough time in the States I hardly notice the “accents”- I think It just makes sense to me because I can hear it in my mind. Kya initially made me so sad- I have two young daughters and the thought of leaving them or having them try to grow up alone just breaks my heart. It is obvious though that she is going to mature into a fiercely independent girl. I like the two parallel stories and I am intrigued my the murder aspect of this novel.