September 12, 2018

On Going Way Out Yonder Where the Crawdads Sing

Our September book pick author, Delia Owens, explains the reason why it was so important for her to write this book.

Story By: Delia Owens

On Going Way Out Yonder Where the Crawdads Sing

Our September book pick author, Delia Owens, explains the reason why it was so important for her to write this book. Story By: Delia Owens

When I was a young girl growing up in south Georgia, my mother encouraged my girlfriends and me—whether we were exploring on foot or riding our horses—to venture as far into the oak forests as we could go. She wanted me to experience true nature, to find that place where the deer and foxes still behaved as they always had in the wild. She’d say, “Go way out yonder where the crawdads sing.” And we did.

Of course, my mother probably never dreamed how seriously I would take her advice until she saw me boarding a plane for Africa with just a backpack and a one-way ticket. I spent more than two decades studying wildlife in some of the remote regions on that continent. And since then, I’ve spent as much time as I can in the wilderness.

During all those years of research in Africa, I was fascinated to find that in species of mammals who live in strongly-bonded groups—the pride of lions, the troop of baboons, or the herd of elephants—the groups are not made up of both sexes, but rather, are made up exclusively of females.

Because of our distant past, human females have a strong genetic propensity to associate in such tightly-bonded groups. There are many other behaviors, such as self-defense, protection of young, and competition for resources that can be traced back to our survival on the untamed savannas.

“…in species of mammals who live in strongly-bonded groups, the groups are not made up of both sexes, but rather, are made up exclusively of females.”

As I watched the lionesses of the Blue Pride tumble in play with each other’s cubs, or sleep in easy piles with paws draped over each other’s faces, I thought of the girlfriends I left behind when I boarded that plane. I had lost my troop. I lived remotely for years and felt deeply how isolation from one’s group changes a person.

I longed to write a novel immersed in nature writing, which would examine how our behavior today is influenced by ancient genes. I wanted to write a mystery that didn’t just ask the question who-done-it—but why the culprit behaved as they did. To explore human nature with nature writing.

I wrote a story of what happens to an isolated young woman, Kya, who’s been deprived of a pride. She learned about loyalty from herring gulls, and about dishonesty from fireflies, who change the pattern of their flickering lights to get what they want. The nearby villagers, who lived in a strong ‘troop,’ discriminated against Kya simply because she was different—and alone. Just as wild creatures do.

“‘Where the Crawdads Sing’ is a mystery and an intense love story, but more than that it is an exploration of the raw center of human nature.”

Living in the wilderness for years taught me that while humans should behave better than other primates, we also need to better understand why sometimes we do not. Where the Crawdads Sing is a mystery and an intense love story, but more than that it is an exploration of the raw center of human nature. Some of that core can only be seen in the deeper shadows of Nature itself.

I learned from a book that crawdads don’t really sing; I learned from my mother that if you go far enough into the wilderness you will hear them anyway. And my mother was right: We need to go way out yonder where the crawdads sing. That is where our secrets lie among the dishonest signals of fireflies.

Autumn has arrived and we’re kicking it off with a list of page-turners perfect to fall into this season! What’s on your fall TBR? Let us know below 👇
GIVEAWAY! We're giving away 10 copies of Bog Queen, the newest book by Reese's Book Club author @AnnaNorthBooks! This one will have you on the edge of your seat! ✨

To ENTER:

1. Like this post 💙
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Giveaway ends 10/10/25 at 11:59 PT. (10) winners will be notified by DM from @reesesbookclub. No purchase necessary. U.S. only. See official rules in our link in bio.
There’s something magical about experiencing a favorite story in a new format 💙 This weekend, we’re revisiting the perfect book (and movie) to kick off cozy fall, Where the Crawdads Sing by @authordeliaowens. What’s a book-to-screen adaptation you can’t get enough of?
Craving a powerful story about love, family, and a young woman’s journey to find space for herself? Then we’ve got the perfect read for you: To the Moon and Back by @elianaramage. Head to our link in bio to discover the rest of the story. ✨
We’re feeling extra lucky to have a front-row seat to a worldbuilding class from the queen herself, @LBardugo. Leigh, author of the The Familiar, Ninth House, the creator of the Grishaverse and Shadow and Bone series, knows how to create magic on (and off) the page. ✨

In this episode of Bookmarked, the Reese’s Book Club podcast, Leigh and @DanielleRobay dive into the art of worldbuilding, growing up as a child prodigy, and why stepping into discomfort is the key to leveling up. 

Listen now on the @iHeartPodcast app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you love to listen! 🎧
Time to turn on the Do Not Disturb and curl up with our September pick, To the Moon and Back 📖 🫖
Our bags for Shine Away 2025? Already packed with all the essentials. And the authors you’re seeing here? Just a glimpse of the lineup, along with our September Pick! ✨

#ShineAway, THE weekend for book lovers, is taking place on October 11 & 12 in Los Angeles! Grab your tickets at the link in bio.
This one's for our fantasy fans out there! ✨

This week on Bookmarked, the Reese's Book Club podcast, the iconic @LBardugo joins @DanielleRobay to talk about the pressures of being a prodigy, world-building in her acclaimed series, and the discomfort needed for success.

Start listening at @iHeartPodcast app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you love to listen. 🎧
We asked “what’s a thriller you can’t stop recommending” and Bookstagram did not disappoint. 💙 Which of these page-turners have you read? Let us know in the comments 👇