Don't Miss the Book the New York Times Calls "The Most Enchanting Debut of the Summer"

In her rave review in today's New York Times, Janet Maslin calls The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, by David Wroblewski, the "most enchanting debut of the summer." In the novel, Wroblewski tells the story of Edgar Sawtelle, born mute, speaking only in sign, he lives an idyllic life on his family's farm in northern Wisconsin raising dogs. When his uncle Claude returns to the family and his father dies unexpectedly, Claude's intrusion into their lives, and his mother's affections, sets off a chain of events and Edgar finds himself on his own, struggling to come to terms with what has happened as he comes of age. Browse inside the book here, and look for Wroblewksi on tour here. Visit his website for the reading guide and more.

Comments

[Julie P.]

Of course I had to do a little research with your teaser! This looks wonderful. I'll be sure to read it this summer!

[Nancy Viens]

This looks like a lovely story. My favorite pet was Oliver, my blue-eyed Siamese, who loved everyone and who mothered both of my female kittens, Lizabeth and Maybel, to the extent where he even nursed them (to the best of his ability). Oliver lived to be 21 years old, and was the kindest cat I ever had.

[karen Haney]

I had a dog only once. He was my son's for his 10th birthday gift in 1987. Arthur, the basset puppy, was my first experience with a dog. At first I thought "I can't do this...mess, poop, chew things" but it took only a day of watching this sad eyed, tripping over his too long ears, sweet puppy to fall in love. Soon, Arthur was MY dog! I loved this dog so much. When my son was in college, and Arthur became sick one night and his tummy swelled in minutes, we rushed him to the ER to find he had a twisted intestine (?) and only very expensive surgery MIGHT save him. He was 11 at the time and had never been sick a day in his life! Of course, we did the surgery as the vet tried to tell us it might not work and we would spend that $800 for nothing...for nothing?!?!? This was a member of my family..my Arthur! He recovered groggily from surgery but wasn't himself and very weak. We took him to our own vet on Monday who lovingly helped relieve his pain due to air build up in his tummy and basically told us to take him home and love him as he wasn't suffering but due to an unknown heart problem, might not ever pull out of it. I stayed home with him 24/7 and on the third day, he died right there by my side. He was resting in his favorite position with his long ears flung back and his feet in a position that looked like he was running. The only time Arthur moved fast was when he was in the yard and we called out "cheese" which he loved and would come for that, not when we called him as despite obedience lessons (HA!) he had a mind of his own and only came when he wanted to...but when he heard cheese, he ran like a greyhound and we called him "the flash of fur". The hardest thing I think I had to do was call my son at college to tell him about his beloved pet. My son didn't believe me and I could hear his grown up macho college boy voice revert to the 10 year old whose voice shouted with unbelievable glee when we told him we had bought him the dog he long wanted it. He was heart broken. We gave Arthur a sweet burial in the back of our family home and to this day, I keep his pictures all over and some toys as well. I have his picture in my classroom and my students ask if that is my dog and I say yes but he is no longer with us and they get that 10 year old sad eyed look. He died in 1998 and yet I still think it was only yesterday. I have never gotten another dog. I want to but just can't imagine another puppy replacing that void in my heart! So that's my pet story and perhaps I will win the book as I would so love to read about the SAWTELLE's but if not, I have once again revisited this sad time but remember my Arthur with much love. Thank you! Karen Haney

[karen Haney]

I had a dog only once. He was my son's for his 10th birthday gift in 1987. Arthur, the basset puppy, was my first experience with a dog. At first I thought "I can't do this...mess, poop, chew things" but it took only a day of watching this sad eyed, tripping over his too long ears, sweet puppy to fall in love. Soon, Arthur was MY dog! I loved this dog so much. When my son was in college, and Arthur became sick one night and his tummy swelled in minutes, we rushed him to the ER to find he had a twisted intestine (?) and only very expensive surgery MIGHT save him. He was 11 at the time and had never been sick a day in his life! Of course, we did the surgery as the vet tried to tell us it might not work and we would spend that $800 for nothing...for nothing?!?!? This was a member of my family..my Arthur! He recovered groggily from surgery but wasn't himself and very weak. We took him to our own vet on Monday who lovingly helped relieve his pain due to air build up in his tummy and basically told us to take him home and love him as he wasn't suffering but due to an unknown heart problem, might not ever pull out of it. I stayed home with him 24/7 and on the third day, he died right there by my side. He was resting in his favorite position with his long ears flung back and his feet in a position that looked like he was running. The only time Arthur moved fast was when he was in the yard and we called out "cheese" which he loved and would come for that, not when we called him as despite obedience lessons (HA!) he had a mind of his own and only came when he wanted to...but when he heard cheese, he ran like a greyhound and we called him "the flash of fur". The hardest thing I think I had to do was call my son at college to tell him about his beloved pet. My son didn't believe me and I could hear his grown up macho college boy voice revert to the 10 year old whose voice shouted with unbelievable glee when we told him we had bought him the dog he long wanted it. He was heart broken. We gave Arthur a sweet burial in the back of our family home and to this day, I keep his pictures all over and some toys as well. I have his picture in my classroom and my students ask if that is my dog and I say yes but he is no longer with us and they get that 10 year old sad eyed look. He died in 1998 and yet I still think it was only yesterday. I have never gotten another dog. I want to but just can't imagine another puppy replacing that void in my heart! So that's my pet story and perhaps I will win the book as I would so love to read about the SAWTELLE's but if not, I have once again revisited this sad time but remember my Arthur with much love. Thank you! Karen Haney