Book Review - The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski

This is an epic novel, unsurprising given its 10 year gestation, from the pen of a first time novelist. Wroblewski juggled this project with his day job of software programmer and in terms of books sold he has really struck the jackpot here. Its international best seller status owes huge gratitude no doubt to the ‘Oprah’s 2008 selection book club’ seal of approval which virtually guarantees literary success. This was justifiably so for the excellent ‘The Road’ by Cormac McCarthy a couple of years back.

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle tells of a mute teenager, whose family has for several generations bred dogs. A unique breeding progamme has been contrived and Edgar’s relationship with the dogs is central to his existence. His uncle returns from exile and life is about to change. The story mirrors Hamlet in its events (I am told – the only Shakespeare play that I have read is Othello for school) and overall the novel is well constructed. Whether this entitles it to the great American novel label attached already by some, I am not qualified to judge, however it is very good.

Wroblewski uses the perspective of the dogs on occasion, which must have been difficult, and these sections are beautifully written. Furthermore, his characters are well portrayed with Claude the bad uncle for example, never allowed to become a cliché for evil. Frankly though, my expectations were more then was delivered, although the sheer scale of the story telling and quality of writing is undeniable.

Very good but not outstanding.