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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I read this years ago, yet the story has stayed with me all this time. It was such a unique tale of a boy, Edgar, who could hear, see, and was intellectually fine, but he couldn’t speak. His mother and father raised and trained dogs, a unique (and fictional) breed called Sawtelle dogs. All seems well, until the father’s brother shows up, with a …
Wow! Never expected this kind of story – most of which I truly loved, except for the ending, which I didn’t love so much. Found the dog history & training to be quite interesting. Everyone should check this book out.
Some may find the amount of time spent on the dogs and their training too slow moving but I found it fascinating and I am not a “ dog person.” The development of the characters including the dogs, is amazing. I didn’t see the ending coming quite the way it did, and am somewhat puzzled by the number of years (almost 20) between the antagonist’s …
Truly one of the best books I have ever read – moving, compelling, exciting and a story that never leaves you.
What a strange and wonderful story. As a dog trainer I can relate to a lot of the content in the book which made it fun. However, it really flows but takes a while to twist and turn (which I loved). It is also somewhat dark toward the end, but I did not find the ending disappointing. Others may think differently.
A truly emotional book written through the eyes of “Mans Best Friend”
This is a story that stayed with me! Very good book!
This is a great book, not only entertaining, but enriching. A book that resonates long after the last page is read. I loved it.
This book was given to me by a friend. I’d never heard of it and didn’t know what to expect. What a wonderful and pleasing surprise it turned out to be! Such captivating writing and an original storyline that kept surprising me. I loved Edgar and am glad I met him.
One of the best books I’ve read in a long time! You’ll be rooting for Edgar and his dogs to overcome the enemy that threatens them. I couldn’t put it down. The ending is unexpected. Sad and triumphant all at the same time. I can see why it was an Oprah Book Club selection!
This book was really a page turner. A very detailed novel about a special breed of dogs that were brought up by the breeders, the Sawtelles who spent hours training them to be exceptional canines. Edgar who was born mute used sign language on the dogs to train them. I think this one will be read again and again. There’s so much more to this story …
The imagery in this book was stunning! David Wroblewski has such a way of painting an image. I would often reread a sentence because it was so beautifully written. It’s a modern-day retelling of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Haunting and sad. A must read!
Expected a better ending Had the book for awhile due to length, so I put off reading until I had more time. The author writes well about man and dogs, which I enjoyed. However, I felt let down at the end and had almost dismissed the book complete from my mind. Would not recommend to slow readers.
Long but engaging. Epic tale
Stephen King “flat-out loved” this book and called it “wonderful, mysterious, long, and satisfying; readers who pick up this novel are going to enter a richer world.” I wholeheartedly agree. While it was sometimes difficult to follow what was going on at times, I’m glad invested the time. It’s also an Oprah recommendation, so know going in that …
One of my all time favorite books
I couldn’t put this book down!
too long. The characters and story are interesting but I just couldn’t finish it.
It seemed too long towards the end. There was repetition and things that were not needed for the reader to enjoy this book.
David Wroblewski’s twist on a famous Shakespearean tragedy involving a unique breed of dogs. The familiar anti-hero in Wroblewski’s telling is a rural midwestern boy on the cusp of adulthood who lacks the power of speech. But Edgar communicates most effectively with and through the Sawtelle family’s exceptional dogs. You know something evil is …