Where the Crawdads Sing is a novel by Delia Owens, set in the North Carolina marsh, that follows the life of Kya Clark, a girl who grows up alone in the marsh after being abandoned by her family. The audiobook is narrated by Cassandra Campbell and published by Penguin Random House. In this review, we will examine the audiobook’s plot, the narration, the writing, and the overall experience of listening to the audiobook.
Where to Listen to Where the crawdads sing Audiobook
The audiobook version of Where the Crawdads Sing is available on various platforms such as Audible, Amazon, and iTunes. Audible provides an option to listen to a sample of the audiobook before purchasing it. Additionally, some public libraries provide access to the audiobook for free with a library card.
where the crawdads sing audiobook Summary
The audiobook opens with a six-year-old Kya, who watches her mother abandon her and her family due to violent abuse from her husband. Alone with her father, who eventually leaves, Kya learns to fish and survives by trading fish for money and gas from Jumpin’, a black man who owns a gasoline station at the boat dock. As Kya grows up, she faces prejudice from the townspeople of Barkley Cove, North Carolina, who nickname her “The Marsh Girl.”
Kya becomes friendly with Tate Walker, an old friend of her brother, Jodie, who sometimes fishes in the marsh. Tate teaches her how to read and write and leaves her feathers from rare birds. The two form a romantic relationship until Tate leaves for college and never returns.
Kya then enters into a relationship with Chase Andrews, Barkley Cove’s star quarterback and playboy. However, Chase is not faithful, and Kya ends their relationship. Tate later returns and attempts to apologize for leaving her and confesses his love for her, but Kya rejects him.
Kya publishes a reference book on seashells and seabirds, renovates her home, and forgives her mother for leaving but still cannot understand why she never returned. Kya is later confronted by Chase, who attacks her, and she threatens to kill him if he doesn’t leave her alone. Later, some boys find Chase dead beneath the fire tower, and the sheriff believes it to be a murder.
Part I: The Marsh
The first part of the audiobook covers Kya’s childhood in the marsh. The opening scenes are heartbreaking as Kya is abandoned by her mother and then her father. Kya’s story is one of survival and resilience as she learns to take care of herself and make a living from the marsh’s resources. Kya’s relationship with Jumpin’ and his wife Mabel provides a much-needed positive influence in her life.
The writing is descriptive, and the audiobook’s narration captures the beauty and isolation of the marsh. The audiobook’s pacing is slow, reflecting Kya’s isolation and lack of human contact. Cassandra Campbell’s narration is superb, providing different accents and inflections for the different characters, making it easy to distinguish between them.
Part II: The Swamp
The second part of the audiobook picks up the pace as Kya enters into a romantic relationship with Chase Andrews. The audiobook explores the themes of love, betrayal, and forgiveness, as Kya learns to trust others and build relationships. The audiobook also touches on issues of race, prejudice, and justice.
The writing in the second part of the audiobook is more fast-paced, reflecting the more action-packed scenes. Cassandra Campbell’s narration is excellent as she captures the intensity of Kya’s emotions and the tension in the scenes with Chase.
Part III: The Trail
The third part of the audiobook focuses on the murder investigation of Chase Andrews and the trial that follows. The audiobook explores themes of justice and prejudice as Kya faces suspicion from the townspeople due to her isolated lifestyle and reputation as “The Marsh Girl.”
The writing in this part of the audiobook is tense and dramatic, with the trial scenes being particularly engaging. Cassandra Campbell’s narration is top-notch as she provides distinct voices for the different characters in the courtroom, capturing the drama and tension of the proceedings.
Chapters of Where Crawdads Sing Audiobook
| Chapter | Description |
|---|---|
| Prologue | Introduces the main character, Kya Clark, and the marshland where she lives. |
| Part 1: The Marsh | Follows Kya’s childhood and adolescence as she grows up alone in the marsh after being abandoned by her family. |
| Chapter 1: 1952 | Kya’s mother leaves the family, and her father begins to drink heavily and eventually abandons Kya and her siblings. |
| Chapter 2: 1953 | Kya tries to cope with her new life in the marsh and learns to fend for herself. |
| Chapter 3: 1956 | Kya makes her first friend, Tate Walker, who teaches her how to read and write. |
| Chapter 4: 1957 | Kya and Tate’s friendship grows, and he introduces her to the world beyond the marsh. |
| Chapter 5: 1965 | Kya is betrayed by Tate and starts a relationship with Chase Andrews. |
| Part 2: The Swamp | Follows Kya’s relationship with Chase and the events that lead to his death. |
| Chapter 6: 1969 | Kya and Chase’s relationship starts to sour, and Kya suspects him of infidelity. |
| Chapter 7: 1970 | Kya breaks up with Chase and tries to move on with her life. |
| Chapter 8: 1970 | Tate returns to Barkley Cove, and he and Kya attempt to reconnect. |
| Chapter 9: 1970 | Kya is accused of killing Chase, and her trial begins. |
| Part 3: The Trail | Follows Kya’s trial and the aftermath of the verdict. |
| Chapter 10: 1970 | The trial continues, and the jury hears testimony from various witnesses. |
| Chapter 11: 1970 | Kya’s fate is determined, and she must come to terms with what has happened. |
| Chapter 12: 1971 | Kya tries to move on with her life after the trial, but she remains haunted by her past. |
| Chapter 13: 1972 | Kya’s work on a book about the marsh brings her fame and recognition, but she still feels isolated. |
| Epilogue | Ties up loose ends and reveals the fate of some of the characters. |
Overall Experience
Where the Crawdads Sing is an engaging and beautifully written novel, and the audiobook version is just as captivating. Cassandra Campbell’s narration is excellent, bringing the characters to life and immersing the listener in the story. The audiobook’s pacing is slow in the beginning, but this reflects Kya’s isolation and the setting’s beauty. As the story progresses, the pace picks up, and the audiobook becomes more fast-paced and intense.
In conclusion, I highly recommend the Where the Crawdads Sing audiobook to anyone looking for an engrossing and beautifully written story. The combination of Delia Owens’ writing and Cassandra Campbell’s narration make for a compelling and unforgettable listening experience.
Things to learn from-Where Crawdads Sing Audiobook
| Learning Points | Examples from the Audiobook |
|---|---|
| Resilience and survival skills | Kya’s ability to survive and provide for herself in the marsh |
| Importance of education | Tate teaching Kya how to read and write |
| Prejudice and racism | The townspeople’s prejudice against Kya and Jumpin’ because of their race |
| The power of friendship | Kya’s relationship with Jumpin’ and Mabel providing a positive influence in her life |
| Betrayal and forgiveness | Kya learning to forgive her mother for abandoning her and forgiving Tate for leaving her |
| Love and heartbreak | Kya’s relationships with Tate and Chase, and how they shape her as a person |
| Environmental awareness | The audiobook’s descriptions of the beauty of the marsh and its ecosystem |
| The impact of domestic violence | Kya’s mother’s decision to leave her and her siblings due to domestic abuse |
| Importance of community | The support Kya receives from Jumpin’ and Mabel and the help she receives from the townspeople of Barkley Cove when she needs it |
| The justice system and injustice | The investigation of Chase’s death and the treatment of Kya by the sheriff |
| The power of perseverance | Kya’s determination to succeed despite the odds against her |
| The complexity of family dynamics | Kya’s strained relationship with her mother and how it impacts her life |
| Mental health and trauma | Kya’s struggles with isolation and the impact of her traumatic childhood experiences |
| The beauty of self-discovery | Kya’s journey of self-discovery as she learns about herself and her place in the world |
FAQs
Where can I listen to the audiobook version of Where the Crawdads Sing?
The audiobook version of Where the Crawdads Sing is available on various platforms such as Audible, Amazon, and iTunes. Some public libraries also provide access to the audiobook for free with a library card.
Who is the author of Where the Crawdads Sing?
Where the Crawdads Sing is a novel written by Delia Owens.
Who narrates the audiobook version of Where the Crawdads Sing?
The audiobook version of Where the Crawdads Sing is narrated by Cassandra Campbell and published by Penguin Random House.
Is the audiobook faithful to the novel?
Yes, the audiobook version of Where the Crawdads Sing is faithful to the novel. It captures the same story and themes as the novel, and the narration brings the characters and setting to life.
What is the length of the audiobook version of Where the Crawdads Sing?
The audiobook version of Where the Crawdads Sing has a total running time of 12 hours and 12 minutes.
Is the audiobook version of Where the Crawdads Sing suitable for all ages?
While there is no explicit content in the audiobook, the themes and content may not be suitable for younger audiences. It is recommended for mature audiences.
Can I listen to the audiobook for free?
Some public libraries provide access to the audiobook for free with a library card. Additionally, some platforms such as Audible provide a free trial period for new users to access the audiobook.
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