A literary debut of stark and striking brilliance - a coming-of-age story, set in the remote wilderness of northern Wisconsin. Born mute and able to communicate only by sign, the brilliant Edgar Sawtelle leads an idyllic life with his parents Gar and Trudy. For generations, the Sawtelles have raised and trained a breed of dog whose thoughtful companionship is epitomised by Almodine, Edgar's lifelong companion. But when his beloved father mysteriously dies, Edgar blames himself, if only because his muteness left ...
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A literary debut of stark and striking brilliance - a coming-of-age story, set in the remote wilderness of northern Wisconsin. Born mute and able to communicate only by sign, the brilliant Edgar Sawtelle leads an idyllic life with his parents Gar and Trudy. For generations, the Sawtelles have raised and trained a breed of dog whose thoughtful companionship is epitomised by Almodine, Edgar's lifelong companion. But when his beloved father mysteriously dies, Edgar blames himself, if only because his muteness left him unable to summon help. Grief-stricken and bewildered by his mother's desperate affair with her dead husband's brother, Edgar's world unravels one spring night when, in the falling rain, he sees his father's ghost. After a botched attempt to prove that his uncle orchestrated Gar's death, Edgar flees into the Chequamegon wilderness leading three yearling dogs. Yet his need to face his father's murderer, and his devotion to the Sawtelle dogs, turn Edgar ever homeward. When he returns, nothing is as he expects, and Edgar must choose between revenge or preserving his family legacy...
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Very good. Simply Brit – welcome to our online used book store, where affordability meets great quality. Dive into a world of captivating reads without breaking the bank. We take pride in offering a wide selection of used books, from classics to hidden gems, ensuring there's something for every literary palate. All orders are shipped within 24 hours and our lightning fast-delivery within 48 hours coupled with our prompt customer service ensures a smooth journey from ordering to delivery. Discover the joy of reading with us, your trusted source for affordable books that do not compromise on quality.
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Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Thank you! This book arrived timely & in good condition.
Have a very happy New Year!
Kathleen S Vaccaro
cclark
Jun 7, 2010
Great Book
Great story, great book in the exact condition as advertised. Shipped in a timely manner and well packaged.
Ponderer
Mar 6, 2010
many themes
I felt that this book had many different themes and subplots. As some of the other reviewers stated, I thought that the ending was convoluted and disappointing. I usually finish a book feeling inspired and ready to write a poem based on the literary message that I had inferred from the book. When I read Eat, Pay, and Love and The Alchemist I was filled with sentiment and was inspired to write meaningful poems. I wish the author had resolved some of the mysteries in the story and had not left us dangling in suspense after completing the last page of the book. I was looking for an epilogue to follow the final page. I would like to mention something that none of the other reviewers noticed or pointed out. Edgar was a boy who could not communicate to his fellow humans. As a special education teacher, I realize how frustrating that is to a person, especially a young boy who is entering adolesence. He was curious as to his existence and the family dynamics. His inability to communicate with his parents and receive the proper answers only added to his angst. The only relationship that I fully understood was the one that Edgar had with his friend Henry who was a bit inhibitied and had self-esteem issues also. All in all, the book was interesting and I was fuly absorbed with the last part of the book although quite disappointed when I finally reached the ending only to be led into complete oblivion.
LaMambisa
Dec 31, 2009
Slow and dull
Someone recommended this because she had read it with her book club and I found myself with a doorstop of a Sominex tablet in the form of hundreds of pages about a fictional breed of dog and some family shenagigans very loosely based on "Hamlet." More than you've ever wanted to know about breeding dogs and building kennels.
CapeCodder
Sep 24, 2009
Engaging but not uplifting
The story of Edgar Sawtelle has many twists and turns. Our book club had an excellent discussion of it because there is so much to talk about. If you know that it it is loosely based on Hamlet, then you won't be too surprised that the ending is not going to be a happy one.
