I started reading this book with high expectations, based on the many glowing reviews. As I read, I grew more and more disappointed. Too much like chick lit. Too predictable. Characters lack complexity, lack depth, and seemed insipid to me. Perhaps I am being overly harsh, as I had recently finished several Elizabeth Berg novels (including Truluv), as well as Olive, Again, and some Anne Tyler and Annie Proulx. All these writers and novels, including Crawdads, feature unique female protagonists, but Aya, the marsh girl of Crawdads, is nowhere near the nourishing literary meal and depth of character of Olive and her ilk. By comparison, Crawdads seems like chick lit.