Delia Owen’s 2018 novel has all the hallmarks of a modern classic. It holds a mirror to some of the worse traits of human society while exploring the complexity of human relationships. It exists in a space of moral ambiguity which challenges traditional values. It blends genre to create a compelling and interesting plot while exploring larger concepts. This is all presented in amazingly powerful prose with blend of descriptive and figurative language that can make the marsh come alive. As a result, it is a novel that appeals to multiple types of readers.
A story of continuous abandonment
Owen’s novel centres around a central protagonist in Catherine Danielle Clark (nicknamed “Kya”) who is abandoned by her mother at the age of six. Leaving Kya with her abusive father who sobers up for a short time but eventually disappears into the Marsh. It is from this point that Kya must fend for herself trying to get by selling fresh mussels and the kindness of Jumpin’ a black gasoline station owner and his wife Mabel.
Living alone in small shack in a remote section of the Marsh, Kya only companions are the birds, insects and crustations that call the wilderness home. In her quest to survive she learns from the patterns of life amongst the natural world. This is until an old friend of one of her brothers Tate Walker befriends Kya and teachers her to read. They quickly seem kindred spirits equally fascinated by the Marsh. However, there relationship follows the continue cycle of abandonment when Tate fails to return to Kya after time at college.
Once again Kya is left alone and with her faith in humanity further destroyed and she withdraws once again into the Marsh. However, at the age of nineteen she is once ageing drawn to connect with someone, this time Chase Andrews the former star Quarterback. Despite their different words the two form a close relationship with Kya introducing Chase to the Marsh. Amongst the social conventions of the 60s however their relationship is impossible, and Chase also abandons Kya for a more acceptable bride.
This ongoing cycle of abandonment not only builds sympathy for Kya but also means the for much of the book her only ongoing and positive relationship is with the Marsh. It is her teacher and her companion, her ongoing source of comfort and means of protection. Much like the values of the Barkley Cove community influence Tate and Chase’s behaviour Kya’s understanding of survival connected to the natural world also influences her morals which ultimately play out in the climax of the plot.
An intense look at 1960s prejudice
As mentioned, the setting of the novel takes place in the Marsh land of North Carolina and the nearby town of Barkley Cove primarily during the 1960s. This means that prejudice is a constant presence throughout the novel and influence the way the community treats Kya. Despite her obvious need for support as an orphan living alone, Kya is ostracized from the community as the ‘Marsh Girl’. She is a figure of ridicule, fear, and distrust as the community picture her as a wild freak that lives outside the rules of polite society. This is continually on display throughout the novel reaches a climax during the murder investigation and resulting trial as the it is more about Kya’s oddities then the evidence. Not necessarily a completely unique exploration of prejudice in fiction, however what does distinguish the novel is the depiction of different prejudices.
Beyond the central focus on Kya there is the ongoing struggle of the towns coloured community. This centres at times on the character of Jumpin’ and his Gas Station, which is the only shop which welcomes Kya. The fact that the young girl is only every taken in by Jumpin’ and his wife demonstrates the connection often seen between marginalized groups with a recognition of shared experience. The intimacy between the characters therefore allows Owen’s to highlight the broader experience of the coloured community including the segregation present in Barkley Cove.
However, it is not only the racism which is continuously woven into the life of 1960s North Carolina but the ever-present sexism of patriarchal society and the clearly defined expectations on women. In some ways some of these instances are not two dissimilar from the representation of racial segregation like the inability for women to be served at the local bar but is obviously more front of mind through Kya’s story. A large part of the prejudice Kya faces in the second part of the novel is the perception of her lack of virtue and therefore her failure to adhere to the expectations of the time. This is highlighted by the breakdown of her relationship with Chase Andrews as despite their connect she is not the type of women he could marry which is realistically to blame for the novel’s events.
The beautiful personification of the Marsh
The novel has an excellent level of thematic depth and complexity, but the real magic of Owen’s work is the detailed and colourful description of the Marsh. It is here that Owen’s experience as a Zoologist really allows her to distinguish herself and provide a level of detail that other authors couldn’t. This obviously builds credibility for Kya’s character as the detail of birds, insects and other aspects of the marsh is extreme. It not only helps to transport audiences but in turn educates us about different elements of the natural world.
Importantly, Owen’s description of the marsh is not just connected to providing detail, but she demonstrates a mastery of poetic language which helps the setting come alive. It is realistically the balance between detailed information and this softer more romantic description that really makes the setting come alive as the major secondary character of the text. Even in her description of the predatory elements of the creatures in the marsh often has if not a beauty about it provides a serene acceptance nature. Listing to the novel on Audible seemed to heighten this effect as it was almost possible to get lost in the marsh along with Kya without the need to concentrate, it might be the perfect way to experience Owen’s novel for this reason.
Final thought
Realistically I am very much a classicist when it comes to literary fiction so when I find a modern text that has a level of complexity that for me places it with some of the great novels from the 20th century it feels special. This is the sort of place I find fitting for “Where the Crawdads sing”, it won’t be to everyone’s liking as it is far from an easy read but will reward those that seek something with multiple layers.
Read more of my recent reviews on Asimov’s Foundation, Jane Harper’s The Lost Man and Elliot Page’s Pageboy
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