Helpful Score: 9
Yikes! I am shocked by the negative reviews of this book. To each their own; personally, I am not usually a fan of Oprah's book club picks, but this one came recommended to me by many different people so I decided to give it a try, and I'm glad I did. Shakespeare adaptations are often hit-or-miss, but this re-imagining of Hamlet set in Northern Wisconsin was very moving. The landscape and setting are huge draws for this book, and I found all the characters, even the villains, to be well-rounded and meaningful. Warning: If you do not own a dog before reading this book, you will probably want to by the end of it! I'm a huge Stephen King fan, and his recommendation of this book sealed the deal for me in terms of reading it; I echo his sentiment that "I closed the book with that regret readers feel only after experiencing the best stories: It's over, you think, and I won't read another one this good for a long, long time." Negative reviews aside, please give this one a try; for me it was an awesome, moving experience.
Helpful Score: 5
This seems to be a book that either people absolutely love or absolutely hate. I loved every minute of it!! I understand why some are upset by the ending, but if you know that this story parallels "Hamlet", then the ending is not a shock. I just really enjoyed everything--the characters, the descriptions, the writing style and pacing of the book. It's a book I really found myself immersed in while I was reading it, and I couldn't stop thinking about it for several days after I was done.
Although I did enjoy the portion of the story where Edgar runs away, by and large this book was tediously long. Had I not been on vacation when I read it, I doubt I would have finished it. It was very repetitive in regards to the dog training (yes, I get it, the dogs were well trained!). If you are looking for a way to kill a lot of time, then this book is for you. If you want to sit and relax while you enjoy a story, I don't recommend this book.
Helpful Score: 4
One of the best books I've ever read. I'll certainly go back and read it again one day. I hated the end, but it really was the only ending there could be.
Great book.
Great book.
Helpful Score: 3
Great writing, but lousy ending. There were so many wonderful moments in this books - the ghost in the rain, the Almondine chapters, the old woman in the store - that I will never forget because they were drawn so skillfully, however, as a whole, the narrative failed. One example: Throughout the book, the author provided pages of information about dog breeding, and the importance of certain features in the Sawtelle dogs, which created the expectation that this information would become key to the narrative - in other words, I expected that the Sawtelle's dogs' breeding would enable them to make an independent choice at a crucial plot moment, but it never happened. I expected Fourte to play a key role in the ending, but it never happened. I expected to discover Claude's motivation, but it never happened. For this reason, the author failed overall, although I was not sad that I read this book.
Helpful Score: 3
OMG!! I finally finished this freakin' book! A first novel for the author. Overall the story is enjoyable, well-written, but contains a bit too much detail about dogs, their training and breeding for me. The characters are well developed, including the dogs. The main character is a boy with no vocal ability to speak. He has enriching relationships with his family and the family dogs. He endures his own coming of age journey. A great book for dog lovers who enjoy reading long stories. Not my favorite book, but Stephen King loved it, so what do I know? P.S. I would rather actually read the real Hamlet.
Helpful Score: 2
This story was just okay for me. I like dogs but reading about dog training over and over again was a bit much to take. I really wanted to like this book since I had heard so many good things about it, but I had a hard time getting into this one and I am so glad to be done with it.
Helpful Score: 2
If you're looking for beautiful lyrical writing, then you'll love this book. It is based on Hamlet, but the characters in this book are painted with lyric prose. I read it over a year ago and still think about Edgar and his dogs. I really enjoyed this book.
Helpful Score: 2
I enjoyed this book very much. It is well crafted, well written, and haunting.
It is one of those books that will stay with you - the ending will haunt you.
After awhile I realized why the author ended the book as he did, but geez.....
it still haunts me. The ending first shocked me; then disappointed me; but then
I "got it". And I'm still thinking about it.
It is one of those books that will stay with you - the ending will haunt you.
After awhile I realized why the author ended the book as he did, but geez.....
it still haunts me. The ending first shocked me; then disappointed me; but then
I "got it". And I'm still thinking about it.
Helpful Score: 2
Loved the book, hated the ending.
Helpful Score: 1
I find myself among the lucky ones who discovered this book and its author, who makes beautiful use of our language to portray a truly American life - a life of a boy-to-man and the life of a dog. Rarely does a book make me cry, but this one did. What a joyful read.
Helpful Score: 1
I LOVED this book. After reading each night, I would go to bed and worry about the characters as I was falling asleep. People love or hate this book and I really do not mean this to come across as condecending, but from the people I know who have read this book-the ones who love it 'got it" and the ones who hated it didn't "get it". It really is a novel that you think about long after you've finished it. I had a difficult time enjoying any other books for some time after finishing this one, it was that thought provoking.
Helpful Score: 1
I loved this book! I am a dog lover so this book hit a chord with me. The story was very well written with wonderful imagery. I love books that draw you into the story, where you feel like you are actually "there".
This is a book that will be etched in my memory for years to come.
This is a book that will be etched in my memory for years to come.
Helpful Score: 1
This is not a quick read. The book is over 500 pages, and the story moves slowly. It managed to hold my attention enough (sometimes just enough) to keep trudging through, but I could have done without quite so much filler. It also felt like several books in one. The first fourth of the book felt like a Steinbeck novel, then it abruptly changes on you - part Call of the Wild, part Fugitive, part ghost story, all wrapped up in a coming-of-age story of loss and redemption. It is definitely not an uplifting book. I made the mistake of finishing the last 100 or so pages before bed, but the ending had me so wound up, I could not get to sleep for quite some time after putting down the book. In fact, part of me wanted to throw the book across the room. That being said, the book is not without its merits. Despite the wordiness and the slow unraveling of the story, it is well written. The are some amusing, lighthearted moments with the dogs and some touching moments that had me in tears. As one of the other reviews stated, I think this is a book you have to digest awhile after you've finished it. It leaves a bitter taste in your mouth and you think, "I pushed through 566 pages for THIS?" But usually a strong reaction - even if it is negative - tends to imply the book acheived its purpose.
Helpful Score: 1
The story of Edgar Sawtelle, a fourteen year old mute boy and his parents' kennel of dogs. Christian Science Monitor said it best, "Hauntingly impressive...Edgar might be silent, but his story will echo with readers for a long time."
Good, interesting read. It really takes you into the mind of a dog.
Good, interesting read. It really takes you into the mind of a dog.
Helpful Score: 1
I wanted to love this book, I really did. For over 500 pages I did and but the ending left me totally unfulfilled. So many questions went unanswered. Had the ending not been so poor I would have given this book 5 stars. Hamlet, Schmamlet....
Oprah's book club picks never fail to enthrall you! What a heart wrenching, coming of age story. The title character, Edgar, was born into a family who makes their living and reputation raising Sawtelle dogs. The dogs are highly trained, intelligent animals. Edgar was born a mute and learns to sign as a toddler. The family dog, Almondine becomes his nanny and a lifetime friend. When his father dies suddenly, Edgar and his mother are devastated and move through their days in a fog. But when Edgar's uncle, Claude, moves in it creates tension in the house and, eventually, Edgar must make a decision to stay or leave. There is a mystery threading through the story that creates suspicion about the father's death and Edgar is determined to figure it out. Anyone who loves dogs will fall in love with this book.
Beautifully written and a New York Times Bestseller.
A definite must read. Book is engaging with excellent character development throughout. Will appeal to all dog lovers.
Interesting story and a nice read.
I found the first half of the book intriguing and well-written. I was excited about reading the remainder when the pivotal moment happened, and unfortunately what followed was an excruciatingly long, drawn-out section which bogged the story down tremendously. I sped read through the last half to the end. The first half tried to build a sense of mystery and suspense that ended with a "thud" for me.... my response was "Oh, that's obvious."
I would not rate it as a complete loser, but it is certainly not a book I'd recommend to any but the most dedicated reader. I'm not familiar with "Hamlet" beyond overview discussions back in high school, so perhaps it would appeal more to those who would appreciate that perspective.
I would not rate it as a complete loser, but it is certainly not a book I'd recommend to any but the most dedicated reader. I'm not familiar with "Hamlet" beyond overview discussions back in high school, so perhaps it would appeal more to those who would appreciate that perspective.
This is a well written story and should have been captivating, but I struggled to keep the momentum of reading it and only kept reading because it was a pick in my book club. Although suspenseful, it never captured my attention enough to really want to know what would happen next. However, many people I have spoken with have really enjoyed this book. I think it is the type of story that you really love or find yourself just not enjoying. My advise, if you are not liking the book, put it down, it really does not get any more exciting.
Not everything in life has a happy ending. Loved this book, although not a happy ending! If you want an Eat, Pray, Love kind of book, don't read this one! If you want to read great literature, read this book!
Unlike other reviewers, I enjoyed this book immensely. Yes, it was long. Yes, some chapters felt unnecessary. But the writing itself is excellent and as I read it, it became a movie playing out in my mind. In fact, in my opinion, it would make a great PG-13 movie with all the adventures of the mute boy and his dogs. I hope someday it will be made, depicting all its mystery, joy and heartache. Riveting!
I absolutely loved this book until about the last quarter of it. I thought it was an incredible story that just sort of petered out. There are too many unanswered questions for my liking. I do think it's worth reading but I was generally disappointed in the way it ended.
This book might be very good if you can get through it...I could not and stopped half way through which is more than I would normally give a book that doesn't hold my interest...it had some high points but there are just too many good books to wade through this one.
This book was an odd one... It kept me turning pages. I loved the story and could wait to see how all the parts worked out. HOWEVER the ending was NOT what I expected. I did not like the ending. The ending is why I only gave 4 stars.
unbelieveable story, with dogs, I loved it
This is, without a doubt, the worst book I have ever read in my life.
