Rating: - Good Storytelling
This is not my normal fare.... I usually read thrillers, mysteries, horror, crime fiction... but I was getting burned out and thought I would try something different. And something different I did get. I don't think I have ever read a slice of life novel quite as engrossing as this one. The characters are nicely drawn and the story is well imagined. I also got to learn a little about breeding dogs, something I always took for granted. Pup is born, pup is weaned, pup is adopted, pup becomes dog. It seems there is a lot more to it and I thank the author for letting me know this. When I was not reading the book, I found myself wondering what Edgar was up to with his dogs. Facinating. I did like the end, which from the reviews I have read some were not so thrilled. It is realistic and that is all I will say as to not ruin it for anyone. Enjoy this book for what it is... storytelling at its finest.

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Rating: - Disappointed
I was thoroughly enjoying this book in the beginning. The story revolved around a small but engaging family unit that was wholly caught up in their dog breeding business. The relationship between the mother and father and their child, and the relationships with the dogs were heartwarming and interesting. Spoiler alert - don't read on if you don't want information about the direction in which this story turns.

I was incredibly disappointed when the clunky references to "Hamlet" began appearing. I felt totally let down, and as I read the book found myself not caught up in the story as I had been in the beginning, but rather searching for Hamlet parallels, which were abundant and, in my opinion, inelegant. This writer has a true gift for storytelling, and I think he could have made this book something more. I will read books by him again, if he writes them, but I cannot recommend this book.

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Rating: - As Promised
The books arrived in a very timely manner and in mint condition.
Thank you!

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Rating: - Don't understand the hype
I really did not like this book. Some parts were really well written, however, I feel like the story went nowhere. I did not understand Claude as a character and I abhored the ending. I felt like I wasted hours of my life!

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Rating: - Read with an open mind.
While I was reading THE STORY OF EDGAR SAWTELLE, and for days (if not weeks) after I finished it, I saw "Sawtelle" dogs everywhere in my dog-friendly community. I saw Almondine in the park, along the river, waiting patiently outside of coffeeshops. Baboo and Finch were playing in the fallen leaves. They are still with me, as is Edgar, and I attribute this to the love and compassion that Wroblewski infuses into his complex characters. Yes, there are plenty of (and some say too many) literary allusions in this book, but I think the book stands on its own in that the characters--both dog and human--are so fully and richly cast. I found myself empathizing with all of them, despite their less-than-admirable (but at times understandable) actions. I think a book that can make one relate to all of the characters is a book worthy of reading, and rereading, and talking about. Get on your library list, borrow a friend's copy, buy a used copy (gulp), or wait for the paperback...one way or another, get your hands on a copy of this book if you want a beautifully written story that fills you with emotions and stays with you for a long time.