The Story of Edgar Sawtelle
Ratings22
Average rating3.4
15
Ratings22
Average rating3.4
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.
Reviews with the most likes.
I'm really glad I that I forgot how Hamlet unfolded..
I'm really not glad that it's got the label of ‘modern classic'
I always enjoy a good Shakespearean tragedy and in this book Wroblewski delivers Hamlet for the twenty first century.
While I enjoyed this aspect of the book, I found the beginning especially to be rather long-winded and all the descriptions of dog-training a little unnecessary.
However, being a dog-lover, I enjoyed Almondine's narrative -it was beautifully written and quite unconventional.
I kind of put off reading this book for awhile, I am not a dog person and really am not fond of books or movies that feature animals, but I kept hearing how great this one was, so I relented and picked it up! What can I say, I LOVED it, so much in fact I finished it in two days! The writing is just gorgeous, the characters beautifully written, just a really, really great read!
Edgar Sawtelle is a fascinating character. What I loved about this story was the complexity and believability of the family dynamics. The dogs are also such a big part of this dog breeding family. I learned a lot about the business as I was taken for this wonderful ride.
The author took his time building Edgar's world and I appreciated the pace. Though he is mute, Edgar is larger in life through his thoughts and motivations. The family is so true to life, it's heartbreaking to read how each member gets so much wrong even when love is what binds them to one another. The prose is exquisite. Though it's a big book, it's one I wouldn't mind reading again.
