Penguin Random House Audio staffers know that there’s nothing better than gathering together to discuss a great story, which is why it’s only fitting that we’ve started a (audio)book club! While some of us opt to read the hardcover, others have found that the audiobook edition of our book club picks are an excellent fit for our busy lives.
We’ve found that audio has added an extra layer to our book discussions. From tone to character descriptions to plot points, audiobooks shape the way we experience stories. More than once we’ve heard something along the lines of, “Oh! I didn’t read it that way—I’ll have to try listening.”
One of our most recent reads/listens was Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, narrated by Cassandra Campbell. While the consensus was that everyone adored this book, those who listened said that the nuances of Campbell’s southern accent added texture to an already special story. Read on to see what some of our book club members (and Cassandra herself) thought!
“Sometimes a books transports you from the studio setting to the world of the author’s creation in such a vivid and indelible way that even months later you can still conjure those places. Such was the experience of being inside the life of Kya Clark, in that house, on those marshes and in town. With prose that leads and a world so distinct and unique, recording this book was a transformative journey.”— Cassandra Campbell, narrator of Where the Crawdads Sing
Listen to a clip:
“Not only is Where the Crawdads Sing full of lush, lyrical descriptions of the coastal swamplands that Kya lives in, but Kya herself is one of those incredible characters you won’t soon forget. She’s strong yet vulnerable, savvy yet naïve, shrewd yet kind; in short, she is a strong heroine that isn’t always found in fiction. There’s a little bit of everything in the story: mystery, courtroom drama, survivalist tale, romance, and coming of age. Where the Crawdads Sing is such a fantastic story.” –Taraneh DJangi, Senior Manager, Creative Marketing
“If you loved The Signature of All Things, or more recently, My Absolute Darling, this is the next listen for you! As with those books, the heroine is a remarkable woman who sets her own standards independent of society’s.”—Megan Mills, Assistant Editor
“Where the Crawdads Sing has everything I look for in a story: gorgeous, lyrical writing about nature and the human spirit, a murder mystery, a circumstance-conquering romance, and, most importantly, the kind of protagonist you only find once in a great while. Kya is remarkable: she’s as resilient as she is innocent, and as intelligent as she is quiet. She’s lion-hearted. I loved hearing the story of her beautiful home, and the life she built herself from a marsh.”–Erin Murphy, Marketing Assistant, Creative Marketing
“I LOVED this book! I both read and listened (depending on whether I was sitting on the train or walking) and I found the dual format experience to really enhance the story. From my perspective, this is a completely unbelievable story, yet I found myself gripped by it and in love with so many of the characters. I definitely recommend it, especially to those looking for a really good, quick read to break them out of a reading slump (if there is such a thing)!”—Vicki Tomao, Associate Director, Strategic Marketing
Do you want more great listens that you can try with your own book club? Browse our audiobook club suggestions here.