The story “Bolotyanka” helped me see the bitter and sweet life

“Read ten thousand books and your pen will be guided like gods” is an ancient Chinese idiom that can be found in school textbooks. China’s Ministry of Education has published an action plan to further promote reading among students across the country. Thanks to new and diverse book recommendations, reading is expected to be revived not only in schools, but also throughout society. To help with this, Global Times launched an essay contest for high school students called “My Reading Life.”

Please pick up a pen and share your stories with us at [email protected]

After selecting an article, participants will receive a reward.

Photo: VCG

Alexander Fuller once raved about this haunting composition written by Delia Owens: “A sumptuous debut; Owens conveys his mystery, wrapped in beautifully lyrical prose.” As can be seen from the comment, Where the Crawdads sing showcases a stunning story of growth along with an unmissable celebration of nature that made this book a success.

Where the Crawdads sing is an Owens novel that combines elements of mystery, romance, and a coming-of-age story. The story follows the life of Kia, a young girl who grows up isolated in the wild after being abandoned by her family. Known as “Swamp Girl”, Kya becomes a keen observer of nature and develops a deep connection with her environment.

The story alternates between Kia’s childhood and a murder investigation in a nearby town, where she becomes the prime suspect in the death of local resident Chase Andrews. As the story unfolds, themes of loneliness, resilience, and the complexity of human relationships emerge. The novel beautifully depicts the natural world and explores the inner strength of man.

Some details of the book were fascinating. As I read the stories of Kia’s life journey, I felt that deep within her bitter demeanor she was also seeking connection, in other words, interaction and relationship with others.

On the one hand, she wanted to be loved. And so she decided to start a new life when she found herself attracted to two young men from the town, Tate and Chase. Unfortunately, limited by the Swamp Girl’s unacceptable “calling card”, Kya was betrayed and abandoned by them.

On the other hand, I was impressed with the heartbroken story of growth, seeing how this strong-willed girl kept moving forward after being hurt. The story directly reflects how prejudice destroys a person. So the next time we face a similar situation, we should strive to welcome new members despite some differences and gaps in experience.

It’s okay to not be okay. I always believe in the motto: “Be kind, because everyone you meet is facing their own problems.” When we embrace someone else’s imperfection, we not only gain a deeper appreciation for Kia’s journey, but also take advantage of a valuable opportunity for personal growth – the story of growth we write about ourselves.

In addition, the picturesque landscapes and various swamp creatures described in the book not only treat us to a visual feast, but also offer us the opportunity to talk to ourselves.

Every creature belongs to nature. Regardless of whether we were born and raised in a concrete jungle or not, there is some primitive desire hidden in our bodies. We store these instincts in our genes, and they are expressed when certain circumstances prevail.

When this happens, we begin to wonder what we are to nature and what is the true essence of our humanity. Thanks to this book, we have another precious chance to ask again: Who are we? What do we live for?

As humans, we are an integral part of the natural order. As the book says, “Our secrets are hidden right in the rogue signals of fireflies.” So, it is definitely worth discussing what we can and should do with nature.

The novel, released in 2022, was adapted into a film of the same name. The narrative weaves together themes of isolation, resilience, and the search for belonging.

Go as far as you can – to where the crowds sing, where instead of betrayal and prejudice, there are only whispers of fireflies.

The author is a student of Baotou No. 9 High School