The Story of Edgar Sawtelle in Around the World in 80 Books

Apr 01, 2024 Stacey rated it it was amazing

Reread on the heels of finishing the long awaited prequel Familiaris. I enjoyed Edgar all over again though 15 years older, it did not conjure the same feels I recalled from the first read through. This time I knew where the story began which added some depth and also a a few rounds of applause for the author, it felt at times like this wasn’t a second book at all, the details in this book were developed in Familiaris and provided a foundation for each character, a foundation I didn’t realize I ...more

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Jul 24, 2014 Anna rated it it was amazing

Shelves: e-books-i-own, authors-i-want-to-read-more-of, for-everyone, current-timreline-quiet-suspense

Edgar Sawtelle is the only surviving child of Trudy and Gar, and has been mute since birth. His extraordinary ability to communicate by sign with humans and the Sawtelle dogs they raise is extraordinary. Claude Sawtelle, his uncle, returns home from war and stays with his brother Gar and Trudy. Sawtelle dogs are wonderful, the research done by David Wroblewski is prodigious and his imagination extraordinary. "Hamlet" came to mind as I was reading this, and the ending is as tragic ...more

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Apr 09, 2009 Carla rated it liked it · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Aug 24, 2009 Kay Green rated it it was ok

Shelves: probably-wont-finish

I give up. Maybe I will finish this book someday, but this is not what I want to be listening to while driving from place to place finishing up my semester and doing my Christmas shopping. I just got to the part where the father dies, the mother has pneumonia, and there is a horrendous dog fight. I know something bad will happen to Almondine and I can't deal with it. I get so agitated and upset whenever i read it that I have to stop. What is the point? For a good dog story read "The Art of Racin ...more

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Dec 05, 2008 Jenifer rated it liked it

I just finished this book for my book club and I have to say that while I expected it to be good, I was truly surprised with how it affected me. I hadn't read any of the reviews prior to starting the book and I'm glad I didn't as this allowed the book to surprise me in so many ways.

I felt like parts were a bit wordy (reminded me of the farming chapters in Anna Karenina) but this did not detract from my enjoyment.

I can definitely recommend The Story of Edgar Sawtelle ...more

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Jan 14, 2009 Lisa rated it liked it

I was listening to this book in my car and when the narrator said, 'The End', I was completely stunned! I was really enjoying the story, waiting for some conclusion I hadn't thought of yet and then it ended, just ended! I guess it is supposed to keep me thinking about it for days now but I'm just frustrated and upset with it. Really a let down. DONE! Moving on to other books! ...more

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Jan 14, 2014 Beth rated it really liked it

Took me a long time to 1. Get into it and 2. Finally finish it! In the end I am glad I read it. I hated the ending but couldn't see it ending any other way. I can honestly say I have never read another book like it.
This title also makes me smile because I remember my dearly departed friend Kristen raving about it. ...more

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