The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski

I recently listened to the unabridged audio version of The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski and narrated by Richard Poe. Listening time is 21 hours, 39 minutes.

I've had The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski in my collection for quite awhile and am finally glad that I listened to it. I thought that this audiobook was really well narrated by Richard Poe. 

I enjoyed David Wroblewski's prose and writing style quite a bit. I also enjoyed reading The Story of Edgar Sawtelle quite a bit in and of itself... Although, I'll readily admit that I wasn't completely in love with The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. For starters, I didn't like the ending of this novel as the ending just kinda happened... On the other hand, I can't imagine it ending any other way. I just have a couple of questions, I'd like to ask the author about the ending of The Story of Edgar Sawtelle that I didn't quite understand. Also, about halfway through The Story of Edgar Sawtelle I became frustrated with the main character of Edgar Sawtelle as he doesn't tell his mother what's really going on and runs away from home. His time spent away from home seemed pointless to me. Also, I didn't pick up the Hamlet references in this novel and only learned about them after the fact when I was reading online reviews of The Story of Edgar Sawtelle.

The following is the plot summary for The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski from Amazon's website:

The extraordinary debut novel that became a modern classic. 

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 remarkable gift for companionship is epitomized by Almondine, Edgar's lifelong friend and ally. 

Edgar seems poised to carry on his family's traditions, but when catastrophe strikes, he finds his once-peaceful home engulfed in turmoil. 

Forced to flee into the vast wilderness lying beyond the Sawtelle farm, Edgar comes of age in the wild, fighting for his survival and that of the three yearling dogs who accompany him, until the day he is forced to choose between leaving forever or returning home to confront the mysteries he has left unsolved. 

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.

My favorite character in The Story of Edgar Sawtelle is Almondine. Gar Sawtelle is my second favorite character in this novel followed by Henry. I didn't like the the character of Claude... And sometimes I found Edgar's character a bit annoying, but otherwise likable. I also liked learning about the Sawtelle dogs.

I am giving The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski a rating of 3.5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!