SUMMARY: 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.
This book, chosen by Oprah as her latest Book Club Pick, has stirred up quite a lot of debate on line. Without giving anything away, I will say that the ending is unexpected, emotional and polarizing. Some people love it, some hate, and others are still questioning the meaning surrounding it.
Regardless of whether you loved it or hated it, THE STORY OF EDGAR SAWTELLE is a very special book because it gets people talking, opens up a debate and leaves the reader questioning virtually everything. Wroblewski has written a book that has a very special place in my heart because it reminded me of the first book that ever created an emotional reaction in my young reading life. It was WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS and it absolutely broke my heart. It was certainly one of the most emotionally heavy books I had ever read, and it brought me to tears. THE STORY OF EDGAR SAWTELLE did the same thing. What left me the most haunted emotionally was the relationship between Edgar and his dog, Almondine. Almondine reminded me of my own beloved dogs, those living and those that have passed.
Many people see reading as only a mindless escape, but good books should never be considered mindless. Maybe THE STORY OF EDGAR SAWTELLE is too heavy for those looking for light reading, but it is certainly a book to be experienced. Oprah just released the news recently that she is partnering with the film production company that has purchased the rights to the book and will be teaming up with Tom Hanks’ production company to bring THE STORY OF EDGAR SAWTELLE to the big screen.
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