The Story of Edgar Sawtelle: A Novel

· Sold by Harper Collins
3.7
172 reviews
Ebook
584
Pages
Eligible

About this ebook

An Oprah's Book Club Pick

#1 New York Times Bestseller

“A mystery, a thriller, a ghost story, and a literary tour de force . . . an authentic epic, long and lush, full of back story and observed detail . . . the author exercises a certain magic that catches and holds our attention, a magic that is undeniably his own.”—Los Angeles Times Book Review

Born mute, speaking only in sign, Edgar Sawtelle leads an idyllic life on his family’s farm in remote northern Wisconsin, where they raise and train an extraordinary breed of dog. But when tragedy mysteriously strikes, Edgar is forced to flee into the vast neighboring wilderness, accompanied by three yearling dogs. He comes of age in the wild, struggling for survival, until the day Edgar is forced to choose between leaving forever and returning home to learn the truth behind what has happened.

Filled with breathtaking scenes—the elemental north woods, the sweep of seasons, an iconic American barn, a fateful vision rendered in the falling rain—The Story of Edgar Sawtelle is a meditation on the limits of language and what lies beyond, a brilliantly inventive retelling of an ancient story, and an epic tale of devotion, betrayal, and courage in the American heartland.

Ratings and reviews

3.7
172 reviews
A Google user
June 17, 2011
I bought this novel 2 years ago when it first came out and just now got around to reading it. Wonderfully written, engaging, yet with just the right amount of clouded mystery to keep the reader interested but asking questions. I am not a dog lover, nor am I interested in farm life, but this book grabbed me and I read it steadily. To me the Hamlet storyline was obvious and I loved comparing the the parallels of each work of literature, and so I was not disappointed in the ending as other reviewers seemed to be. Shakespeare wrote tragedies and the word "tragedy" doesn't evoke happy endings. In that each character's point of view is explored as well as the dogs makes Wroblewki's style unique. I offer my congratulations on his first novel as being a success.
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Maureen
December 19, 2014
This is the second time I read the book in about 4 years and in a couple more I'll read it again. Loved it would recommended highly . Sometimes it's gritty sometimes very sad and sometimes it makes you angry. Brings out all the emotions that a good book should .
4 people found this review helpful
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Felice Sweeney
March 5, 2013
I LOVE this book and the variety of point of views. I was actually disappointed at the end, not bc of the ending but bc it was over and there was no more to read. I look forward to reading it again.
2 people found this review helpful
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About the author

David Wroblewski grew up in rural Wisconsin, not far from the Chequamegon National Forest where The Story of Edgar Sawtelle is set. He earned his master's degree from the Warren Wilson MFA Program for Writers and now lives in Colorado with his partner, the writer Kimberly McClintock, and their dog, Lola. This is his first novel.

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