Edward Sawtelle - Fab read!

17 years ago

I don't recall if we have discussed this. A few months ago I read an excellent novel called The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, by David Wroblewski . It is very well written, well-told, and haunting, about a boy who is mute, whose family has bred extraordinary dogs for a couple of generations. The story is based on Hamlet in plot, but will appeal to anyone who "knows" dogs and dog training. Not a warm and fuzzy book, but heart wrenching.

"This will be his earliest memory," "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle" says about its title character. "Red light, morning light. High ceiling canted overhead. Lazy click of toenails on wood. Between the honey-colored slats of the crib a whiskery muzzle slides forward until its cheeks pull back and a row of dainty front teeth bare themselves in a ridiculous grin."

Here is a link that might be useful: Review

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Comments (9)

housefairy
17 years ago
Looks like it was released June 2008. Sounds interesting.
kathy9norcal
17 years ago
This book has a lot going for it, but if you decide to read it, be prepared for a terrible, hateful ending that did not have to be that way. For me, it ruined the book. Had I known, I would not have chosen to read it.
Take a look at the reviews on Amazon if you are deciding whether or not to read it.
Kathy
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Elly_NJ
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks Kathy.

Just so you know, it's fiction. Didn't really happen.

We are all grown-ups.

So glad I made the recommendation.
stir_fryi SE Mich
17 years ago
We just discussed possibly reading this in my book club. We ultimately decided against it because the Amazon reviews (which are usually right on) were so mixed. It is a long book -- too much investment in time for our group if the book is iffy.

We did read Marley and Me though and really like it.
cynthia_gw
17 years ago
The book is not 'iffy' it's an excellent read not to be missed. The ending is appropriate for the story, and I give the author credit for avoiding a trite or predictable ending in favor of one that packs an emotional punch. It's a very thought provoking story, exquisitely written.
prairie_love
17 years ago
elly,

I just finished this book. I bought it based partly on your recommendation and also that of another friend. I found it to be an amazingly poignant book. The author's writing is beautiful, and his descriptions of the bond between a human and dog is so insightful. Thank you for posting this thread.

Yes, the ending was difficult but, in my opinion, it was right. Yes it could have had the fairy tale ending in which (without giving away too much) the bad guy gets caught and the good guys all live happily ever after. But why? Personally I get tired of books (and movies) that always have the same predictable and boring ending. Like cynthia, I admire the author for ending it the way he did.

I will be reading this one again. After I lend it to several friends :)
jcin_los_angeles
17 years ago
Beautifully written, extremely sad. I wouldn't recommend the book if you're in a difficult time in your life.
Elly_NJ
Original Author
17 years ago
Guys,

Did you grow up reading literature? I understand that reading is a matter of taste, but many great works are complicated, to say the least. All of Shakespeare's tragedies, for example; Tale of Two Cities, by Dickens; Henry James's novels. There are more.

Not all stories have happy endings, and in life that is sad; in fiction, it is kind of vicarious, as happy endings.

This kind of reminds me of the parental uproar about the wildlife documentary The March of the Penguins. Parents and Disney-reared folk recoiled.

It was about Emperor penguins in the harshest environment in the world. Duh.

Then Happy Feet came out, which satisfied them.

I love good reads, and have no patience for nonsense. So if anyone wants to exchange good titles with me, I have a bunch!
Bumblebeez SC Zone 7
17 years ago
Well, it does help me to know the ending ahead of time since I prefer happy endings to tragic ones. If I chose to watch (or read) the story, at least I am prepared.
Real Life is indeed filled with happy endings and great literature has nothing to do with whether it's tragic or not but whether it's well written and not formalistic.