The Story of Edgar Sawtelle: A Novel

I am 3/4 through the book and don't believe I will finish it. I agree it is beautifully written, but I have read Hamlet a number of times and love dogs too much to see Almondine meet Ophelia's fate (I can see it coming).

I found this novel to be a beautifully written tale of the unique relationships formed between dogs and their owner/companions. However, where there once was hope of vindication, and a future full of promise, I, as a reader (of what I thought would turn out to be a great American novel), felt totally cheated. Not that I think ALL stories should end with a happy face, but I didn't bargain for such hopelessness. I was totally taken by surprise, and not in a good way. I immediately had to start a new read to pull me out of the funk I was in.

Didn't anyone think the ending of this book was downright depressing? Not to give anything away but really, I just couldn't believe it...I was stunned by what happened. The book was a fair read and some of the writing was quite good. I thought there were some really interesting and beautiful passages and I liked that the author gave the dogs a "voice" but in general, it was a loooong story with a terrible (to me) ending.

Edgar Sawtelle is born mute, speaking only in sign. He lives with his parents on their remote farm in Wisconsin, raising a special breed of dogs. Edgar's idyllic life is disturbed with the unexpected return of his paternal uncle Claude. When Edgar's father dies suddenly, Claude insinuates himself into the life of the farm and Edgar's mothers affection. This is when Edgar's life is turned upside down. Saying any more would lead to some spoilers so I will stop here, except for saying that..........................It is hard to believe that this is a debut novel. The writing is beautiful; you can envision the countryside, the woods, and feel the change of seasons as well. I loved the foreshadowing which created a sense of tension, but yet I could not wait to turn to the next page. The 550++ pages just turned so quickly.

If you love animals and enjoy coming of age stories, as I do, be prepared to be amazed and left with a feeling of total awe.

A senior, and a dog owner/lover, I enjoyed the theme and the characters. The author's descriptions are so emotionally captivating that it is hard to detach your hands from this lengthy novel. Each segment of the book quickly calls you back with greater interest. But, I must say, I was disappointed in the way the story ended. In the frenzy of the concluding segments, after all that Edgar and his family and associates endured, it seemed to me the author was himself lost to find the proper ending. And, alas, perhaps, with the assists from those he credits his achievement in the long process of writing the novel, there was no better way to end the story of Edgar Sawtelle. After reading this novel, I can appreciate the author's labor to achieve a ranking in the New York Times bestseller list.