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The Story of Edgar Sawtelle
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle
Author: David Wroblewski
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 Clau...  more »
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ISBN-13: 9780061768064
ISBN-10: 0061768065
Publication Date: 9/19/2008
Pages: 576
Rating:
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 491

3.5 stars, based on 491 ratings
Publisher: HarperCollins
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback, Audio CD
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

twylah avatar reviewed The Story of Edgar Sawtelle on + 21 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 23
I was so excited to read this book after hearing all of the spectacular reviews. However, I found myself incredibly disappointed. The plot is muddy and plodding, the writing is far from interesting, and the characters are so boring that, by the time I was halfway through this book, I couldn't have possibly cared less whether any of them lived to the end or what they did on the way there. I honestly do not understand the hype over this book at all. I've read hundreds of books that were far more interesting, engaging and memorable. This was a huge, huge disappointment. Hours of my life I will never get back....
reviewed The Story of Edgar Sawtelle on
Helpful Score: 15
I absolutely loved this book. The writing is beautiful and incredibly insightful. The author drew me in so much so that I felt I was part of the story. Yes, the ending is rather abrupt, and it left me wishing it turned out another way, but after thinking about it for some time and rereading the last two chapters, I've come to understand and accept it. Again, loved the book.
brandyjp avatar reviewed The Story of Edgar Sawtelle on + 58 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 13
I did not love this book like so many others that I have heard. It was just okay. I found it so filled with details and long meandering asides that it became a distraction. I like the general story, but I think it could have been told in half the pages. I found myself skimming at certain points, which I rarely ever do. This book did not keep me eager to know what happens next, by the end I just wanted to finish so it would be over. I did find the chapters from Almondine's perspective beautifully described.
TarynC avatar reviewed The Story of Edgar Sawtelle on + 213 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 10
I couldnt wait to get my hands on this book and it started out great, engrossing......then it went on and on and on and the end was just uncalled for depressing and made me feel like I had wasted my time reading it! I can read the newspaper if I want to be depressed. This is the last time I am going to be burned by investing in "Oprah's" bok suggestions - We oblviously dont see eye to eye.I am also a dog lover and even part that got boring.
reviewed The Story of Edgar Sawtelle on
Helpful Score: 9
I was thoroughly enjoying this book in the beginning. The story revolved around a small but engaging family unit that was wholly caught up in their dog breeding business. The relationship between the mother and father and their child, and the relationships with the dogs were heartwarming and interesting. Spoiler alert - don't read on if you don't want information about the direction in which this story turns.

I was incredibly disappointed when the clunky references to "Hamlet" began appearing. I felt totally let down, and as I read the book found myself not caught up in the story as I had been in the beginning, but rather searching for Hamlet parallels, which were abundant and, in my opinion, inelegant. This writer has a true gift for storytelling, and I think he could have made this book something more. I will read books by him again, if he writes them, but I cannot recommend this book.
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paigu avatar reviewed The Story of Edgar Sawtelle on + 120 more book reviews
Since the book description mentions this is a retelling of Hamlet, then most people should understand the basic plotline of this story. The part I really can't comprehend is where the dogs fit in. I guess I did not fully appreciate the book because I am not a dog owner myself. I felt I wasn't getting the full impact of what the author was trying to say about dogs and people- the emotional bond, the "seen through the eyes of a dog" sort of thing. I admit, I probably started skimming the last hundred pages or so, where Edgar begins his "journey" with his pups. The beginning is interesting with lots of subtle nuances about Edgar's family and the locals. But that last part...ugh...I also suppose people would argue the author is brilliant in the last section where you have no "voice" for the most part and we can only read description after description of the dogs and Edgar. Then the Hamlet-analogy gets too bogged down, like the author was trying to force it into the book. If I recall, Hamlet is trying to prove his uncle poured poison in his dead father's ear (sorry if I'm not 100% correct, I haven't read Hanlet in years) so guess what Edgar keeps searching for? And really, who cares? The author doesn't paint the "bad guys" as 100% bad; Edgar is not the total hero. I guess the real heroes are the dogs, as dog lovers might rejoice but the rest of us are left scratching our heads.
reviewed The Story of Edgar Sawtelle on + 2 more book reviews
Did not finish the book. I skimmed to the end in the hope it would resolve things but I found the ending even more unsettling.
Grinnin avatar reviewed The Story of Edgar Sawtelle on + 5 more book reviews
I loved this book. It captured my time for a couple of days, much like only a few books: Thornbirds, Clan of the Cave Bear, Pillars of the Earth... The writing is so easy to read with Wroblewski's cadence and beautiful poetic descriptions. On the internet there's an interview with the author and he was asked point blank about the Hamlet comparison. He set out to write a dog story that followed the Hamlet story line. So now I want to reread Hamlet. At the end of the book there was some resolution but not what I would have preferred happen. So in my mind I continued the story and MY version of the end is more satisfying.
vallipow avatar reviewed The Story of Edgar Sawtelle on + 40 more book reviews
This memorable novel will remind many readers of Shakespeare's "Hamlet." However, resilient, thoughtful and observant Edgar Sawtelle is not another Prince of Denmark. I doubt that everyone will love this pensive book set in rural Wisconsin in the middle of the 20th century. But I can predict that no one who reads this beautifully written book will ever forget Edgar or the dogs and people he loves.
rudolph7 avatar reviewed The Story of Edgar Sawtelle on
This book is very popular with Book Clubs, as there is a lot to discuss once you finish it. However, for pleasure reading I found it to be a little grim.
reviewed The Story of Edgar Sawtelle on + 20 more book reviews
I loved this book. It's beautifully written and a great story. Very few books hold my attention like this one.
reviewed The Story of Edgar Sawtelle on + 2 more book reviews
LOVED this book. The beginning was slow but the story line is engrossing. After a few chapters, I couldn't put it down. It is beautifully written - the author truly has a gift for storytelling. I'm an animal lover and the viewpoint of Almondine is exquisite. I cried throughout her chapter. The story does move a bit slowly but it's worth it for the detail and truly adds to the richness of the story. In truth, this writing style may not be for everyone but I highly suggest you give it a chance.
reviewed The Story of Edgar Sawtelle on
It was a quick read, and I enjoyed it up until the end when i remembered/realized that it was a Hamlet story. That was a little depressing.
reviewed The Story of Edgar Sawtelle on + 15 more book reviews
a unique and poignant story of a young boy and his incredible story.
reviewed The Story of Edgar Sawtelle on + 3 more book reviews
I was not sure about this book when I started, however, as I read deeper into the story I could not put it down! Interesting characters and situations. Loved the interaction between the boy and his dog.
reviewed The Story of Edgar Sawtelle on + 529 more book reviews
I read this book about a year ago. This was one of the
best books I have read. The author's writing captivated
me until the end. However, the ending wasn't what I
expected. It left me unsettled after reading such
a great book.

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