Book Review
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, by David Wroblewski, has much of the plot played out in the minds of the characters, as well as through their movements. But, make no mistake, this novel does "move"—in multiple ways.
Edgar Sawtelle is mute—since birth—and he uses sign language, as well as writing down words, to communicate. He also develops a singular empathy with the dogs he helps raise, particularly one called Almondine who is like a nanny to him when he is a baby and toddler. His parents just about make ends meet on their farm, where breeding, raising, and training the home-developed breed of Sawtelle dogs is their livelihood. Into this bucolic situation comes Edgar's uncle—the younger brother (Claude) of his dad (Gar). There's bad blood between the brothers and soon arguments occur. These cease with the sudden death of Gar, which Edgar is unable to prevent even though he tries, and Edgar and his mother are left to try to keep the farm working.
For a while, the two are able to cope but soon Claude is back on the scene and seems to be intent on taking over the farm. Edgar resents this but, even worse, he begins to suspect that his father's death might not have been accidental—a theory which arises when Edgar thinks he sees and hears his dad's ghost. Terrible events ensue and Edgar is forced to flee the farm with several dogs. On the run, he barely survives and when one of the dogs is injured, he must place his trust in a stranger. Edgar realizes that he cannot run forever and that he must solve the mystery of his father's death. He longs for home, and Almondine, and his mother. He starts back.
Any Shakespeare-loving reader will almost immediately begin to see parallels between this novel and Shakespeare's drama Hamlet, and the fates of the canine and human characters follow those of the characters in that play—to some extent. However, this novel has a gripping originality, as well—one sincerely cares about Edgar and his canine friends, and their perils are internalized as you read. The behavior of Almondine and her fate better explains the emotions and actions surrounding a rejected love than does Ophelia! In fact, the novel is much more "human" in its messages and characters than the play, and at the end it is truly haunting—one is not only emotionally drained, but will reminisce about these characters for a long time.
While there is not overt sexuality, there is violence—murder and mayhem—so Adolescent to Adult readers only, please. Prof. Opal Dragonfly
ISBN#:978-0-06-137423-49 (pbk)