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The Story of Edgar Sawtelle
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The Story of Edgar Sawtelle
Author: David Wroblewski
Retail Price: $25.95
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Book Information
Publisher: HarperCollins
Book Type: Hardcover

ISBN-13: 9780061768064 - ISBN-10: 0061768065
Publication Date: 9/19/2008
Pages: 576


Other Versions of this Book: Paperback, Hardcover, Paperback, Paperback, Paperback, Hardcover, Paperback, Audio CD

Book Description:

Born mute, speaking only in sign, Edgar Sawtelle leads an idyllic life with his parents on their farm in remote northern Wisconsin. For generations, the Sawtelles have raised and trained a fictional breed of dog whose thoughtful companionship is epitomized by Almondine, Edgar's lifelong friend and ally. But with the unexpected return of Claude, Edgar's paternal uncle, turmoil consumes the Sawtelles' once peaceful home. When Edgar's father dies suddenly, Claude insinuates himself into the life of the farm-and into Edgar's mother's affections. Grief-stricken and bewildered, Edgar tries to prove Claude played a role in his father's death, but his plan backfires-spectacularly. Forced to flee into the vast wilderness lying beyond the farm, Edgar comes of age in the wild, fighting for his survival and that of the three yearling dogs who follow him. But his need to face his father's murderer and his devotion to the Sawtelle dogs turn Edgar ever homeward.

David Wroblewski is a master storyteller, and his breathtaking scenes-the elemental north woods, the sweep of seasons, an iconic American barn, a fateful vision rendered in the falling rain-create a riveting family saga, a brilliant exploration of the limits of language, and a compulsively readable modern classic.


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Top Member Book Reviews

17 member(s) found this review helpful.

I was so excited to read this book after hearing all of the spectacular reviews. However, I found myself incredibly disappointed. The plot is muddy and plodding, the writing is far from interesting, and the characters are so boring that, by the time I was halfway through this book, I couldn't have possibly cared less whether any of them lived to the end or what they did on the way there. I honestly do not understand the hype over this book at all. I've read hundreds of books that were far more interesting, engaging and memorable. This was a huge, huge disappointment. Hours of my life I will never get back....


Kimberly L. (LaskyK) reviewed 7/14/2009...
11 member(s) found this review helpful.

I absolutely loved this book. The writing is beautiful and incredibly insightful. The author drew me in so much so that I felt I was part of the story. Yes, the ending is rather abrupt, and it left me wishing it turned out another way, but after thinking about it for some time and rereading the last two chapters, I've come to understand and accept it. Again, loved the book.


8 member(s) found this review helpful.

I did not love this book like so many others that I have heard. It was just okay. I found it so filled with details and long meandering asides that it became a distraction. I like the general story, but I think it could have been told in half the pages. I found myself skimming at certain points, which I rarely ever do. This book did not keep me eager to know what happens next, by the end I just wanted to finish so it would be over. I did find the chapters from Almondine's perspective beautifully described.


6 member(s) found this review helpful.

This selection was chosen for our book club and everyone was excited about reading it, as it had been a popular and talked about book for quite some time now. The book immediately drew me in. I enjoyed the characters, liked the plot, found the writing style to be creative. About 1/2 way through the book my interest began to wane a bit and I found the ending pretty unsatisfying. Similar to nearly all of Oprah's book club selections, this book is depressing and a bit of a downer. Regardless, I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an emotional read.


5 member(s) found this review helpful.

I absolutely loved this book. It pulls you in and you feel you are truly part of the Sawtelle family. Very well written, it is a story I will never forget. If you love animals and wonder at how much they understand this book clarifies what all of us animal lovers already know. I didn't like the ending but that's the way it goes. I look forward to more books by David Wroblewski.


5 member(s) found this review helpful.

This book is a very long 562 pages. I found it hard to get into at first. The writing is very descriptive, and while reading many of the passages I wondered if they really had anything to do with the story or if the author was just verbose. In my opinion, the author was just verbose.

After about the first 120 pages the book started to pick up, and held my interest much better. I kept reading, hoping that something more would happen. It did, but as in the first 100 pages, it was very long and drawn out, and much of it had little to do with the actual plot.

The ending was quite unexpected, and I did not find it satisfying. It did not make me think, nor did it lead me to wonder what comes next. After investing my time in 562 pages, I was disappointed in the ending. I honestly cannot recommend this book, and would hesitate before reading any future works by this author.



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Interesting book. A bit far fetched at times, but it's entertaining and a good story.


I chose this title because of the buzz about it....but like many recent Oprah selections, I was left unmoved by it. It relates the story of a hearing boy who cannot speak, and the adolescent issues of his reaction to his father's death, learning that his father's death was at his uncle's hands, and then, as icing, that his mother has 'taken up with' that very uncle. A troubling time for any young man, Edgar's solitary and internal natures make these events quite difficult for him to deal with. While I thought the story intriguing, I ended up feeling like the author had flitted back and forth between the adolescent reaction issues and the plot events and had not wrapped them up together by the end, or even as they played out.

This is a nice read and I enjoyed it; I thought the ending abrupt and unfinished.


I had a hard time getting into this book. Finally when Edgar was traveling with the dogs I got into it but I was so very disappointed in the ending. It left me with lots of questions.


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