Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens and Cheese Grits
First, if you have read this book, you know why I chose grits! Second, what true Southerner does not have grits in the refrigerator (if you don’t, please keep to yourself…shameful 😜)? I basically cooked these for an afternoon snack! No one really needs a recipe but in case you do, here you go.
Recipe: https://www.spendwithpennies.com/cheese-grits/
Now to the book…
I put off reading this book because I got sick of hearing about! Seriously, I am one of those people who actually does not read the book or watch the movie if that is all I hear about. I mainly heard good things about the book (just look at the Amazon reviews 😲) but did hear a few that didn’t like it. After running out of stuff to read, I decided to give it a try.
I am always amazed how a person’s first novel can be such a hit. After reading the book, I can honestly say why people are mesmerized by it. The imagery and descriptions are incredible, enabling the reader to truly experience life in the marsh. It did take me about halfway through the book for me to become engaged, though. When I did get about midway, I had to finish it. What stood out to me the most, unlike probably the main purpose of the book, is how many times are we the “towns people” who judge a person based on rumors, whispers, and “stories”? We all are guilty of showing prejudice. How often do “haves” people look down on the “have nots”? Or what about the “have nots” being prejudice against the “haves”? Cars? Homes? Clothes? I hope this isn’t a spoiler but how often do we not help those in need but instead choose to talk about it? Did we “love thy neighbor”? Did we offer help in time of need? Do we choose to believe what is told to us (accuse, shame, ridicule) instead of showing grace as Tate. I am guilty of all this as much as the person reading this post.
I know the writer probably did not intend for my takeaway to be the main purpose of the book; however, if there is any purpose you can leave from reading this book (other than the very, very ending 😮), please read with the purpose to evaluate your own prejudices.
James 2:1-26
My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? …
