The mystery surrounding the “Marsh Girl” is part of the appeal of Where the Crawdads Sing, skyrocketing this debut book by Delia Owens to the New York Times bestseller list.

Kya Clark lives by herself in the marsh, where she befriends seagulls and offers readers a glimpse of the beauties of nature. But her new desire to be loved—and the arrival of two handsome young men from town—turns this story into a coming-of-age tale that opens with a mysterious murder. Clearly, this literary fiction novel has all the emotional stirrings readers can ask for! 

So if you’ve already finished this book and fallen in love with it, how do you find another read that’s just as compelling and moving?

16 Books Like Where the Crawdads Sing

Where the Crawdads Sing has many elements that enthrall us. While this story is unique and captivating in its own right, you can find many of those elements in the following books: 

1. Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance by Ruth Emmie Lang 

This novel follows the story of Weylyn Grey, who, like the Marsh Girl, lives alone in a nature-rich landscape. Weylyn was orphaned when he was a baby, and rumor has it wolves raised him. He now lives in a cabin in the forest with his pig Merlin. 

2. My Absolute Darling by Gabriel Tallent 

Julie Alveston, also known as Turtle, is a girl whose father taught her all about shooting and hunting. Despite her father being an abusive sociopath who mistreats her, she struggles with Stockholm syndrome and only awakens to speak up when he brings home another little girl. 

3. Where the Line Bleeds by Jesmyn Ward

This debut novel features twins Christophe and Joshua, who each live on their own after high school and choose different routes. Joshua immediately starts a job, while Christophe ventures into drug dealing. What happens when their parents come back?  

4. Sycamore by Bryn Chancellor 

This psychological thriller also includes a coming of age story set in scorching Arizona. The novel begins with the arrival of a newcomer who stumbles upon human remains while on a hike. The townspeople suspect the remains belong to Jess Winters, who disappeared 18 years ago. 

5. The Wildlands by Abby Geni

This novel follows a group of orphaned siblings who live very close to nature. Tucker, the oldest brother, ends up getting involved with an animal rights group/ He takes his youngest sister Cora all across the country in his extremist efforts, leaving their sister Dora to search desperately for them. 

6. Milkman by Anna Burns 

Set in the 1970s in a Northern Ireland town, this coming-of-age story features Middle sister as the narrator and protagonist. A  married man, whom she calls “Milkman,” starts harassing her, which stirs up a plenty of gossip and judgment in their tight-knit community. 

7. The Round House by Louise Erdrich 

This novel is also a coming-of-age story in many ways and contains an element of mystery. On a North Dakotan reservation, a young man searches for the suspects who assaulted his mother. 

8. The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah 

This story of survival is set in the unforgiving Alaskan wilds. Ernt Allbright comes back from the Vietnam war as an aggressive, traumatized man unable to maintain a job. He decides to move his wife and 13-year-old daughter Levi to live off the grid in North Alaska. 

9. The Good Dream by Donna Vanliere 

Set in the 1950s South, this novel follows old maid Ivorie Walker, who lives alone on her family’s farm. What happens when she encounters a wild boy stealing food from her garden? 

10. The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey 

This story, set in 1920s Alaska, follows Jack and Mabel, a childless couple struggling to survive in the wilderness. In the midst of busy farm work and bouts of loneliness, they build a snow child, which has disappeared the next day—and in its stead, a little girl named Faina who survives off the land. 

11. The Marsh King’s Daughter by Karen Dionne

Helena grew up in an isolated cabin in the woods with her parents, who taught her all she needed to know to live off the land. But years later, when she’s grown up and her father escapes from prison, Helena is the only one who can find him. 

12. Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman 

This story is about 29-year-old Eleanor Oliphant, a socially awkward but extremely intelligent woman who thrives on routine. What happens when meeting the dashing lead singer of a local band challenges her to face her past and why she became the way she is? 

13. Let’s No One Get Hurt by Jon Pineda

Almost nothing moves our hearts like a tale of poverty contrasted with privilege, and this story set in the South is one fine example. Pearl is a teen girl squatting on vacant land with her father, while Main Boy, the son of the wealthy landowner, starts an unhealthy power relationship over Pearl. 

14. Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah 

Also featuring a six-year-old girl who grew up savage in the woods, this story takes place in the Pacific Northwest, where a child psychologist tries to dig into the child’s past in order to understand her better. 

15. Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

Based on the true story of a kidnapping scandal, this novel tells the story of Rill Foss, who at 12 years old gets kidnapped with her four younger siblings and ends up in an orphanage, where she struggles to make sure they all stay together. 

16. Himself by Jess Kidd 

This story is about Mahony, a young man in Ireland searching for his mother, who gave him away as a child. Along the way, he befriends an elderly woman, and together they start a quiet revolution to unite their town against corruption of power.

Is There a Movie Based On the Book Where the Crawdads Sing?

Although there is no set release date, Reese Witherspoon’s production company, Hello Sunshine, announced that a film adaptation of Where the Crawdads Sing is in the works. The role of Kya will be played by Daisy Edgar-Jones.

Heart-Wrenching Books to Add to Your List 

If you like reading heartbreaking stories of struggle and survival but also appreciate the wonders of nature, this book list is a great place to start. 

Take a look at some of these books and you’ll be reminded of how even the youngest of us can find ways to survive. 

Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!

 

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