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.
more
Unbelievably beautiful story. Not for those who look for sweet, happy endings. Realistic issues. Enchanting dogs also. Must read for those who like real life drams. Beautiful book.
Excellent
One of my favorite books of all time! Edgar and his family, both canine and human, grab the reader from page one until the end. A modern take on one of Shakespeare’s greatest & most beloved protagonists.
I can’t believe I forced mtself to finish this book. It just got weirder and weirder with no explanation for the actions of the uncle. And then the end! What an odd book. Really, Oprah, what did you see in this book that you thought was so great.
Not your regular read. Very informative.
This is a fine novel. It borrows some elements from Hamlet for its plot, but doesn’t go overboard. The characters are richly drawn, even the dogs.
This was so well written it was my second time through it. What a graceful way to put words together. Kept my interest from beginning to end, especially since I’m a dog lover!
After all the wonderful things I had heard (Oprah loved it, right?), I was hoping for a great reading experience. At about page 50, I was bored, but thought “it’s GOT to get better”. Every 50 pages after that, I would hold to that optimistic thought, and turn another page. And the darn book is really looooonnnnnngggggg….and boring the whole …
Disappointing ending…
I read this book some time ago but I still remember the story. It left a big impression on me. It was beautifully written as well.
Started off being a great book about dogs, but became so much more, for better or worse.