The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski

"I think we ought to read only the kind of books that wound and stab us. If the book we are reading doesn’t wake us up with a blow on the head, what are we reading it for? We need the books that affect us like a disaster, that grieve us deeply, like the death of someone we loved more than ourselves, like being banished into forests far from everyone, like a suicide. A book must be the axe for the frozen sea inside us." -- Franz Kafka

This hamlet-inspired tragedy tells of the world of a mute boy named Edgar Sawtelle and his dogs. However, they are not just any dogs rather they are the Sawtelle dogs, a breed all their own. They are full of intelligence, heart, wit, and purity. They are the amalgamation of all of our beloved animals.

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle is equal parts a mystery and a love story. And, although tragic, it is also a story of hope and freedom.

The characters are so tangible. I was able to relate to all the characters, even the dogs! I loved them and hated them. They were strong yet frail. They were, in a word, human. And though the human characters in the novel displayed the flaws in ourselves, the dogs mirrored the best aspects of ourselves.

From the novel, I learned that sometimes, it takes a tragedy to break our mirrors of illusion so that we can have the freedom to make clear and sound choices. And this freedom is a priceless privilege. All in all, I believe this book is epic and I am so excited for those who will begin their journey with Edgar Sawtelle.

P.S. I heard through the grapevine that David Wroblewski is working on his second novel which will be about John Sawtelle. So we may visit the Sawtelle dogs again!

One of my "Sawtelle" dogs