The Story of Edgar Sawtelle: A Novel

I bought this book based on Oprah Winfrey's recommendation and it will be a long time before I buy another book that she suggests.

The author is a gifted writer so reading his prose is no punishment but the book has no other redeeming qualities. Evil and Envy prevail, Goodness dies, Innocence is lost, Trust is forsaken.....Yuck! If you want to spend a long time reading and an even longer time regretting that you did...buy this one.

This is a long, long, long book. There were times when I was wondering if it was ever going to go anywhere and times, particularly the last third of the book, when I was engrossed. I admit that I would have given up on the book if it weren't for my book club, but having finished it, I still don't really recommend it to anyone unless you really, really, really love dogs AND you have lots of time to spare.

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle is a fascinating tale of dogs and humans and their relationships. Edgar is a boy, born mute, who actively participates in the family business, the breeding, raising and training of dogs. Edgar's disability is no hinderance in his becoming a gifted canine handler. It is evident that the loyalty and companionship of his dogs is as central to his personal well-being as is the love of his family.

The story is a page-turner from the beginning, interestingly written. The author weaves a great yarn about this boy and the reader is soon caught up in the family saga and the adventures that ensue.

My problem with the book is that the adventures of Edgar Sawtelle go on and on and, even though they are interesting to follow, at some point the story has to take the hero back home. Herein lies the rub. I was vaguely dissatisfied with the book's conclusion--it was quite abrupt and one wonders what happened to the characters left at the end.

I bought this the very day Oprah almost fainted over it. I was so disappointed and struggled to get through the entire book. The story was so fragmented, going from one story to another without a tie or character change to allow you to smoothly transition. I would go back and read the previous paragraph to make sure I was not skipping pages when a new paragraph would be talking about someone and some events totally different. The story lagged, the characters and their relationships were not fully developed and the ending left you just sitting there saying, ok, so that is it? I cannot for the life of me understand Oprah's over the top embracing of this book.

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle is a modern tragedy, harrowing, haunting , and beautiful. Half of me is sorry I ever read it, and the other half rejoices in the mind that created it.
I am a dedicated breeder of dogs and was struck by the discussions of breeding theory.
However, in the end, the blurring of our common sense teaching of that which separates man and beasts is FREE WILL, and the Sawtelle dogs' evolution where they choose their destiny, is inspiring.
And then there's, Almondine...
Wroblewski,
Thou hast cleft my heart
in twain.