David Wroblewski
Fiction 2008| 562 pages
First, to begin, I wouldn't call this a novel ... but a saga or an epic. It is very long, very detailed, with much depth. Yes, our main character Edgar is born mute, and it IS his story as our primary point of view throughout, but yet, I don't see his perspective, ability, and disability, as the focus of the book. The tragic story about the family plays out against the backdrop of the breeding of Sawtelle dogs. If you don't love dogs, I cannot see how you would love this book.
Edgar's grandfather began the breeding program for a fictional dog breed many years ago. Our current date in the telling of this story is various years in the early 1970's. The kennels are on a farm in Northern rural Wisconsin. It gives a very visual picture of the rural Midwest at this time, small town happenings and all.
Of course, it isn't only about breeding and training a new dog breed. Edgar's father is Gar, and Gar's brother is Claude. Claude has been away from the farm for 20 years when the novel begins, but he returns, with much of his kenneling knowledge intact. And thus begins the mystery, the tragedy, the deep sorrow in The Story of Edgar Sawtelle
I believe the writing is extraordinary. The characters, the essence of the story, the depth. There is some minor and delightful magical realism that augments the tale. Some reviewers argue that Wroblewski doesn't explain adequately why characters do things. Why did Edgar run away ... really? Why does he show the dogs to the man from Austin in the manner he does? I am wondering if patience is the needed trait as a reader? Your imagination must fill in the gaps, and yet the story line runs true and clear.
My one criticism is it could be better edited. There are sentences and sections that repeat pretty close to verbatim, and a good editor should have caught these.
I must recommend this saga. It may not fit everyone's taste, but it is worth a try. Just know that you will be reading for a long time. It is a compelling saga ... almost a compulsive read. I never for a moment thought about not completing yet. And yet, it is quite a challenging read. I would love to hear from anyone who has read it or chooses to read it now.
July 2025