A month ago while visiting my sister in the Palm Beach area, I stumbled across Where The Crawdads Sing, a debut novel by Delia Owens. At first I was skeptical if the book was any good, but upon reading the first few pages and per my sister’s enthusiasm I decided to give it a go.
I finished Crawdads less than a week later.
Lately, I have been fortunate to experience several pieces of art and literature that have left a deep impact on my artistic soul, as well as changing my perspective on both life and culture. I know I speak for many when I say I haven’t been able to have an immersive artistic experience in a long time. Given the on-going global pandemic, finished with the lack of authenticity and talent in any artistic venture you look at, it feels like everything is overly saturated with plasticity and fake idols. Our world is over-polluted than ever. With the whirlwind rise of social media, online streaming apps and tech devices, coated with overrated, high paid influencers across all medium channels (who have the audacity to tell us who we should be, act, look, dress and sound like on a day-to-day basis) much of our society today is dictated by these individuals and companies that sadly hold the upmost power and control. Unfortunately millions of people, even children nowadays, suffer in severe anxiety, depression and unhealed trauma because of this. At this point it is beyond transparent that such individuals and businesses have no interest in trying to help heal us in any way shape or form. It is no wonder people are going crazy. Not to mention, the ongoing lack of communication, listening, justice and compassion in the world. So to find a hidden gem like Crawdads and to be fully immersed in this beautiful, dark tale of love, loss and murder set within the deep south is something truly rare and something I don’t take for granted.
Spoiler Alert: Crawdads is an illustrious tale of a young girl named Kya, who after experiencing painful loss, learns to live life on her own, surrounded by the deep, marshy waters of North Carolina. In time, she experiences her first love, grows into the woman she’s destined to become, all the while making her mark as the Marsh Girl. Eventually things take a turn for the worse when Kya is forced to prove herself during a sudden murder case to the very same people who outcasted, bullied and shamed her.
Life imitates art. Art imitates life. Two years ago, pre-Covid, there has been a lot of changes within my family and our way of life. My parents relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina in the spring of 2019. My sister relocated to Florida after her college graduation a year later. We all discovered the south’s rich history and culture, developing a fondness for both North and South Carolina’s nature, lifestyle and of course - its food and historical venues. For a brief time when the pandemic first hit the United States in 2020, prior to my sister’s relocation, the four of us quarantined within the healing areas of Charlotte for over four months. We escaped to parks and animal sanctuaries, while also heading down to Charleston and Floridan coastlines, to allow their oceans to heal our minds and bodies. Needless to say, we were very fortunate despite a devastating time to have such luxuries.
I have learned a lot about myself over the last few years and the type of artist I am. Ever since I can remember I have been a lover of history and art. I have always craved adventure and wanted to travel the entire world and witness her treasures. Give me any time period and I will spend weeks immersing myself in its history. I have been taught from a young age to learn as much as possible about other people, their cultures and to never be afraid. To understand people’s way of thinking was imbedded in my brain since I was a little girl. I believe it is important for people to remember where they come from and why. As a first generation Polish-American citizen, I have been very fortunate to reunite with my family every year (except last year and now due to Covid-19). I have always known since I was a child that my roots and family would shape me into the woman and artist I am.
Since 2019 we have witnessed more of the south’s beauty and understand its past history. It has been a privilege to travel to the Blue Smoky Mountains, explore southern contemporary museums and historical venues that once belonged to past political figures. It is a reminder that while the past is rich, it is not kind either. Human nature has proven that since the test of time. But if you pay close attention, like taking a hike within the deep southern forests, you may be lucky enough to witness the beauty it holds.
Crawdads is a unique and hauntingly, beautiful tale reminding everyone that we are always surrounded by beauty in nature. The south, like the north, east and west of this beloved country, is rich. It is a reminder that at some point of our lives, loneliness will occur - and it is our job to acknowledge it and move forward relying only on ourselves. It is a reminder too that there are always helpers along the way. Kya crosses over these fears and finds solutions as quickly as possible, from the time when she’s a little girl to when she’s a woman. We each have choices. Life will throw shit our way and unexpected events can lead to trauma or worse. But it’s what you do with it that defy who you are and what will transpire next.
Kya represents each and every one of us. It’s a novel reflecting points in our lives while unfolding an original tale. It inspires us to hold our ground, stay strong within the eye in the storm. It inspires women to remember their strength. Crisis reveals character. When people are tested in life, it is because it wants to reveal their flaws or weaknesses, or discover and prove their strengths. It solidifies the historical and natural richness of the south and what I still believe is apart of a great nation. The United States can continue to be great if we allow ourselves to break free from its dark past and reconsider others no matter what their opinions may be, where they’re from, their race, gender, sexuality or heritage.
While the world waits for Covid to finally cease and life to go back to normal, Crawdads is an exceptional story that I know will inspire generations of readers to come, especially for women to find their path, stay true to who they are and the strength that lies within them during these dark times.
-Natalia Ortonowska ©
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