The Story of Edgar Sawtelle: A Novel

David Wroblewski

Oct 2009 · Sold by Harper Collins

About this eBook

An Oprah's Book Club Pick

#1 New York Times Bestseller

“A mystery, a thriller, a ghost story, and a literary tour de force . . . an authentic epic, long and lush, full of back story and observed detail . . . the author exercises a certain magic that catches and holds our attention, a magic that is undeniably his own.”—Los Angeles Times Book Review

Born mute, speaking only in sign, Edgar Sawtelle leads an idyllic life on his family’s farm in remote northern Wisconsin, where they raise and train an extraordinary breed of dog. But when tragedy mysteriously strikes, Edgar is forced to flee into the vast neighboring wilderness, accompanied by three yearling dogs. He comes of age in the wild, struggling for survival, until the day Edgar is forced to choose between leaving forever and returning home to learn the truth behind what has happened.

Filled with breathtaking scenes—the elemental north woods, the sweep of seasons, an iconic American barn, a fateful vision rendered in the falling rain—The Story of Edgar Sawtelle is a meditation on the limits of language and what lies beyond, a brilliantly inventive retelling of an ancient story, and an epic tale of devotion, betrayal, and courage in the American heartland.

Ratings and reviews

Forced myself to read it to the end and really didn't like it. Can't for the life of me, figure out why there was so much detail on the genealogy of the dogs.

I love this book but at the same time hate it. The ending... Just one question David why did you do it?! Why poor Edger had to die! That poor poor boy...

I LOVE this book and the variety of point of views. I was actually disappointed at the end, not bc of the ending but bc it was over and there was no more to read. I look forward to reading it again.

About the author

David Wroblewski grew up in rural Wisconsin, not far from the Chequamegon National Forest where The Story of Edgar Sawtelle is set. He earned his master's degree from the Warren Wilson MFA Program for Writers and now lives in Colorado with his partner, the writer Kimberly McClintock, and their dog, Lola. This is his first novel.