Sunday Salon: The Story of Edgar Sawtelle
By Kristen on Sep 14, 2008 in Reviews, The Sunday Salon
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski
** Discussion Questions Available! **
Release date: 2008 / 562 pages
First Line: “After dark the rain began to fall again, but he had already made up his mind to go and anyway it had been raining for weeks.”
Synopsis (from back cover): 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…
Review: I have been waiting so anxiously to read this! It happened to arrive a day before we left for Colorado, and I was worried I wouldn’t be able to plow through the 500+ pages before it was due back (long waiting list = little reading time and no renewals, plus 48 hours in the car being a good co-pilot/driver).
Well, finishing it was not a problem — it is really hard to put down, despite its length. And I almost completely loved it. Well, I should say that I loved it most of the way through. But the ending was not what I would’ve liked, which doesn’t mean it wasn’t appropriate or fitting… just not what I wanted for almost any of the characters. And it didn’t quite live up to the rest of the novel. But enough of the negative!
What I did love about the novel was the writing, the setting (near our cabin, happily), the characterization, the gripping nature of much of the plot, and… Almondine. I so loved that dog and loved how Wroblewski included a few (very few) short passages from her perspective — these segments were truly a gift, even when they broke my heart.
I also loved the otherworldly quality of much of the novel. Edgar cannot speak, although he can hear. It is unclear why he is mute– meaning his doctors cannot find a reason – but since he is the protagonist, and the reader is privy to his thoughts, this aspect isn’t significant, simply interesting. We really get to know Edward, and his parents, and his uncle, and the dogs — partially due to the third person perspective that switches to each of the characters at times, but mostly due to Wroblewski’s deft and subtle character development — he is truly gifted.
Happily, thinking back to a recent BTT, the plot is just about as strong as the characterization — gripping, fast-paced, and suspenseful. The length — at over 500 pages — is a bit daunting and probably could’ve been shortened, although I can’t think of a particular section that I would cut.
In conclusion, I do think my passion for dogs and for the state of Wisconsin contributed to my enjoyment of this novel, but I also understand why it has been getting so much praise. I strongly recommend it…
Welcome back!
Thanks! I’ve added this to my wish list. Wisconsin is pretty much the only place that I still spend significant time when I’m in the US (my sister lives in La Crosse). So I’m developing an affection for it myself.
frumiousb | Sep 14, 2008 | Reply
Seems like a book I should read. Thanks for the review!
Waking upto SS after a day of serial blasts in Delhi
gautami tripathy | Sep 14, 2008 | Reply
A fellow friend of Wisconsin
Where do you live? La Crosse is particularly pretty with the river and terrain, too.
I hope you enjoy Edgar — let me know when you read it!
Kristen | Sep 14, 2008 | Reply
I’ve heard nothing but praise for this novel (I’m considering your review “praise”, even though you hit some rough spots with it). Glad to know you were able to get through it without any overdue fines
Dawn | Sep 14, 2008 | Reply
I’m so glad you consider my review praise — it really is
Let me know if you decide to give it a go, too!
Kristen | Sep 14, 2008 | Reply
Thanks so much for the review. I probably would never have picked this book up on my own. Now I’m going to have to go seek it out at the library.
Laurie | Sep 14, 2008 | Reply
You are very welcome, Laurie! Truly my pleasure!
Thanks for reading my blog!!
Kristen | Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
I loved the same things about the book and thought that Wroblewski is a master at weaving together a very complex story (when you sit back and try to explain it to someone) yet as a reader, you never feel lost. I think it has to do with how he filled in the backstory – so that when you come to present day – you understand the culture, the history, the reasons why and what for.
I didn’t have a problem with the ending – I cannot come up with a better alternative or a sequel so to me it’s as it should be.
What’s next on your list, K??
Cynthia | Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
So true, Cynthia! It is one of those books that is so much more than the plot — although the plot is really interesting, too! Good point about the ending, too — I have no idea how it could’ve ended better without cheapening the integrity of the story or nature of the characters.
I’m almost done with The Post-Birthday Club and can’t wait to review it — fascinating!!!
Kristen | Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
Hmmm – I’m on the third chapter of Tess Gerritsen’s “Keepsakes” as well as starting “Living Dead Girl” by Elizabeth Scott. I’ll be in HIGH need of a happy book after that – do you suggest the Post-Birthday Club for that or…?
Cynthia | Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
I really can’t recommend Post-Birthday as happy… at all… but Garden Spells is! I haven’t read either of the two you mentioned — maybe I should?
Kristen | Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
I dunno yet – Keepsakes seems to be okay so far but not life-changing. I picked up Living Dead Girl because it is supposed to be a YA novel and it’s creating quite a controversy (see some of our past thoughts about story content and YA) – so I picked that book because of the controversy and wanted to see how I chimed in. It’s a small book – less than 150 pg. I should be able to knock it out here pretty quick and let ya know.
Meanwhile, I was hoping to read a book in time with you – we almost had it with Edgar Sawtelle – but alas…I must travel in another direction – Cynthia Baxter, the author of many mysteries has sent me some books to read and then it will be Cynthia Baxter interviews Cynthia Baxter…I think we both want to have a lot of fun with that – she sounds like a really wonderful and cool lady!
Cynthia | Sep 18, 2008 | Reply
What a coincidence! Hope you like her/your work
I finished Post-Birthday World finally (and enjoyed it, but what a marathon). I think I’ll skip through In Defense of Food next for a bit of variety…
Kristen | Sep 18, 2008 | Reply
I live in the Netherlands. (Sorry that it always seems to involve a week time lag to answer questions!)
frumiousb | Sep 21, 2008 | Reply
The few times I’ve visited the Netherlands were very enjoyable — one Easter I visited the tulip festival and still have such fond memories…
Kristen | Sep 21, 2008 | Reply