Delia Owens is the author of the best-selling debut novel, Where the Crawdads Sing, which has been on the New York Times bestseller list. However, she has written other books that are equally captivating and worth reading. This article will explore some of her other great works.
Who is Delia Owens?
Delia Owens is an American author, zoologist, and conservationist. She was born in Georgia in 1949 and spent most of her early life exploring the outdoors.
Education
She received a bachelor’s degree in zoology from the University of Georgia. Afterward, she earned a doctoral degree in animal behavior from the University of California, Davis, for her work on the evolution of social denning in brown hyenas.
Time in Africa
Delia and her husband, Mark Owens, ventured into the remote Central Kalahari of Botswana in 1974. Her research and experiences in the Kalahari inspired the bestselling and award-winning book, Cry of the Kalahari.
After their time in the Kalahari, the Owens went to the North Luangwa Valley of Zambia. Delia studied the social behavior of elephants for twenty-three years, publishing her findings in scientific journals like Nature and Animal Behavior.
Following her time in Africa, Delia resided in the Northern Rockies of Idaho before eventually relocating to the mountains of North Carolina, where she currently lives.
Awards
Her research and conservation efforts earned her the Order of the Golden Ark order of merit from the Netherlands and the University of California Award for Excellence. The John Burroughs Award for Nature Writing is another accolade she has earned. Her works have been featured in publications such as Nature, The African Journal of Ecology, and numerous others.
Owens is known for her work in wildlife conservation and has co-authored three non-fiction books with her husband, Mark Owens, about their time living and working in Africa.
The best Delia Owens books
Where the Crawdads Sing
Where the Crawdads Sing, Delia Owens’ first novel, is a coming-of-age story of a young marsh girl named Kya who grows up in the marshes of Barkley Cove, North Carolina. Kya is abandoned by her parents and must fend for herself in the marshlands outside town.
As she grows older, Kya begins to crave touch and love. Two local young men become fascinated by her natural beauty, and Kya embraces a new life until an unimaginable event occurs.
Delia’s scientific research on the significance of female community bonding in social mammals impacted her work as a fiction writer. In the novel, Where the Crawdads Sing, she delves into the behavioral consequences a young girl faces when compelled to live much of her early life without a community.
The novel alternates between Kya Clark’s life in the marsh and an investigation of the murder of Chase Andrews. Reese Witherspoon produced the movie adaptation.
The Eye of the Elephant: An Epic Adventure in the African Wilderness
In the 1970s and 1980s, over a thousand elephants were killed each year in Zambia for their ivory tusks. Biologists Mark and Delia Owens, who were studying lions in Africa, took a stand against poachers and worked to save the elephants.
Their journey to protect the animals included finding ways for villagers to support their communities and raising global awareness for elephant conservation. The Eye of the Elephant is a captivating story that combines adventure, travel, and preservation.
Secrets of the Savanna
Mark and Delia Owens share their captivating tale of fighting to save elephants, villagers, and themselves in their last years in Africa. As award-winning zoologists and conservationists, they worked in the remote and rugged Luangwa Valley of Zambia.
They studied the recovery of the elephant population after poaching. Through their research, they found striking parallels between humans and elephants, and a young elephant named Gift played a crucial role in uncovering the animals’ survival secrets.
Cry of the Kalahari
Mark and Delia Owens, two young Americans, embarked on a journey to Africa with minimal belongings and a thirdhand Land Rover. They drove deep into the Kalahari Desert, where they lived for seven years, conducting zoology research among unexplored wildlife.
Cry of the Kalahari is their international bestselling book, detailing their experiences living among lions, brown hyenas, jackals, giraffes, and other creatures in one of the last remaining untouched areas on Earth. It is also a thrilling narrative of their survival against the dangers of the vast wilderness.
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FAQ
What book should I read after Where the Crawdads Sing?
The Great Alone is highly recommended for fans of Where the Crawdads Sing and has gained a similar reputation. However, if you’re interested in Owens’ non-fiction writing, The Eye of the Elephant is a great place to start.
Why is Where the Crawdads Sing controversial?
Similar to other popular novels depicting the South during the mid-20th century through a white protagonist, Where the Crawdads Sing has been accused of perpetuating Black stereotypes. Throughout Kya’s coming-of-age story, she receives assistance from her friendly Black neighbors, Jumpin’ and Mabel.
Is there a second book to Where the Crawdads Sing?
Now We Shall Be Entirely Free, co-authored by Andrew Miller, is a sequel to Where the Crawdads Sing.
Where is Delia Owens from?
Delia Owens is from rural Georgia in the United States.
What are the themes in Where the Crawdads Sing?
The themes explored in Where the Crawdads Sing include survival, human connection, education, and prejudice. Despite growing up without parents or formal education, the protagonist Kya manages to forge a life on her own terms.
