Where the Crawdads Sing *may contain spoilers

[Wallabyone]

I just finished this book. It took me a while, because I couldn't really get into it. Then I did, and read it all, and I'm just a bit 🤷🏻‍♀️ about it! Am I missing something?! It was ok, nothing awful but also nothing brilliant. Why is there such hype about it? I didn't think it was really well written, and the plot was fairly predictable.

Also, any brilliant book recommendations would be gratefully received. I'm currently reading Skellig to my eldest and thoroughly enjoying it (I've read it a couple of times already).

I've picked it up twice and not got into it, it's still staring at me from the shelf.

I've read about half and got so bored with it I've left it and moved on...

Read it for bookclub. Thought the nature descriptions of the marsh were interesting, but the story really far-fetched. How on earth would she have survived on her own? And the ending?
No.

I haven't read it but listened to it on audible. Thought it was an amazing story and was quite sad when it ended

I really enjoyed although talking to others I seem to be in the minority. I thought how she survived was described well and made me quite invested in her

I really enjoyed it and enjoyed the descriptions about the Marsh and was sad when it came to an end. It is one that I will read again.

I enjoyed it. I felt the descriptions about her life in the marsh were really good and I felt like I was actually “there”. I can see it would work well as a film, I think they were going to or have made one.

I started reading it after being told it was amazing and finished after the first few chapters as I cant get in to it and find it boring.

Yes, I agree that the film will probably work well. The actress is British though, from Normal People.

I'm not sure, it's obviously a book that some people love, as here, and there are so many positive reviews online. I just don't get why myself! It's quite a divisive one.

I found it very atmospheric. The last few chapters were the best bit, where things got interesting, and I cried at the end! Although I didn't buy the ending, and I didn't like the way so much was just explained, eg about the poetry - never heard of "show, don't tell"? But people (freed slaves) really did live like that, and I would recommend it. As for what to read, easy: The Star of the Sea by Joseph O'Connor.

I mean, I would recommend Crawdads, not living like that. Oops.

I tried several times to read it.
It was boring - I got about halfway through and figure if a book isn’t interesting by then it’s not worth any hype!

I read it last year. The nature writing about the marshland is beautiful. Delia Owens has written nature books and is knowledgeable about this. However I thought the plot of the novel lacked credibility and the ending was a let down and disappointingly bad. I didn't think it lived up to its hype at all.

It's a marmite book. I didn't get the appeal at all, but some people do. I would recommend Piranesi by Susanna Clarke as a good read.

Definitely marmite it seems! Thank you for the recommendations; I'll look them up.
I will probably watch the film, as I'll be interested to see how it adapts-I think it will probably work better onscreen.

I really enjoyed it.

I think the descriptions of the marsh are very evocative. I did enjoy it when I read it and was caught up in the story and enjoyed the reveal of the story. However the ending is very weak and it's not a book I'd recommend. It's junk literature really and that's why it's so popular but it has lots of weaknesses. Agree the film might well be better (like Normal People!).

Oh I loved it so much!

But of course the main character was a wild beauty. No dental issues, or vitamin deficiency, and scabby feet from her way of life but hey I can handle a few artistic liberties for the good of the story

I really enjoyed it. Partly because I listened to it as an audio book and had an accent I couldn't have rendered myself in my ears.

It wasn't the most believable tale and the poetry was dreadful. However I liked the sense of place.

I listened to it as an audio book and I really enjoyed it

I was going to read it next as I am one of a minority who found Hamnet disappointing. Now can’t stand another disappointment. Will pick up that Girl, Woman Other ( can’t remember the title properly but the one that shared Margaret Atwoods Booker prize), Loved Bridge of Clay and The Secret History.

I agree with the recommendation of Star of the Sea - it's been years since I read it but it stuck with me. The writing is beautiful.

Crawdads? I've read it, and found it unputdownable! Brilliant! Especially the sting in the tail!

I thought it was very original and I enjoyed the wildlife element but some of it wasn't very believable. I'm enjoying The House on Carnaval Street at the moment although I'm not very far in.

If you want a great read try Donal Ryan “ Strange Flowers” wow!