Monday, September 01, 2008

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle

"O, woe is me, To have seen what I have seen, see what I see!" -- Hamlet
Mute from birth, Edgar Sawtelle grows up on a Wisconsin farm where his parents raise and train a fictional breed of what can only be described as mind-reading dogs.

Fast forward... Edgar's father unexpectedly dies; Edgar suspects his uncle was involved; Edgar sets out into the woods with three "Sawtelle" pups. Edgar's fate, and the fate of the Sawtelle dogs, is decided from here.

David Wroblewski's The Story of Edgar Sawtelle is a glorious novel and an excellent choice for shared parent/teen reading and discussion. The 500+ page count should be no obstacle; you've together tackled Harry Potter and Stephenie Meyer's books with nary a whimper. Edgar's story may also invite your interest in the parallel story told in Shakespeare's play, Hamlet.