Review of Where the Crawdads Sing, by Delia Owens (ISBN:978-0383409237)

Synopsis

Crawdads are really just crayfish by a different name. That theme is the basis for a long, boring book about pond ecology disguised as a variety show featuring singing crustaceans.

The Crawdads are a singing group from the Upper West side of New Orleans, down the block from the Lower Northwest side. They have been singing together for years, avoiding the clutches of restaurant owners and chefs daily. Though ostensibly a jazz quartet, they are more attuned to singing the Blues.

When Harry Crawdad falls in love with Susie Crawdad, the rest of the band gets jealous, and refuses to sing. Jerry Crawdad pulls the whiskers off of Harry, and flees for his life.

Part two of the novel is a prolonged description of pond life, from microscopic single-called creatures, up through Bob, the homeless man who often bathes in the pond each Saturday night. Some of the science in this section is questionable, especially as it relates to the dietary habits of Bob, but the non-discerning reader can overlook those parts.

Part three of the novel is an epic narrative poem sung by Harry Crawdad, where he expresses his love for Susie, and his despair at the prospect of her becoming Bob’s dinner. At the end of this section, we find out that there is, in fact, a musical score that accompanies the poem.

The final page of the book invites the reader to memorize the epic narrative poem, and to seek out “where the crawdads sing,” and join them in their lament for Harry and Susie.

Review

I cried.

I cried hard.

I cried hard and long.

Than, I memorized the poem, and hopped a flight to New Orleans.

I want to sing with the crawdads!

Many times, books become popular for non-obvious reasons. Take, for instance, the cultural phenomenon that caused everyone to love magical barbershop clayworks at the same time, through seven novels and ten films. Or the sudden compulsion of everyone to play with their food through three novels and four films, while a teen-aged girl shot everyone with arrows. Who can predict these things? Something that seems silly to one generation becomes a touchstone for the next.

Thus, it’s easy to see why this week’s featured book became so popular. A cuddly, grinning crayfish that can sing the blues? Who could resist that? No one here at Novel Premise, that’s for sure!

I’m still in New Orleans as I write this. I haven’t met any live crayfish, but I’ve met many Blues singers, and many more depressed, newly-minted homeschool parents who can sing the blues like they were dying of gnat bites. These folks really understand the ethos of the book. They are living it. Meanwhile, I sing at the corner of Lafayette and Grand for pocket change, selling copies of this book at cover price.

It’s a good living, it’s a good life. All because of a good book.

Conclusions

This book is a rare find, and deserves it’s place at number one on the New York Times book list. I am giving this book five out of five stars.

Signing off,

Cyril Martinelli, for Novel Premise book reviews.