Edgar Sawtelle, born mute, lives a fine life at his home in Wisconsin. He works on the family farm training dogs. When Claude, Edgar’s uncle and brother to his father shows up, life takes a sharp turn for Edgar. When Edgar’s father suddenly dies, Edgar thinks something suspicious is going on. When Edgar sees his Uncle pushing his way into the role of his father, in more ways than one, it is the final straw.
Edgar flees from the only home he has never known with his three dogs. While away his travels cause him to grow up and prepare himself to return home and face his fathers murderer.
It’s hard to explain what I thought of this audio. While the storyline is interesting, it felt long and not overly eventful. As I type that this sounds harsh. I can’t quite put my finger on why it wasn’t a great listen for me. It is well written and an interesting synopsis. I think there are several loop holes in the book, for instance, there is a lot of questions brought up about the dogs but it never is a completed thought. There is also a section (my favorite) where Edgar meets a man named Henry, this part of the book later to me comes into question as it felt like it was left as an unfinished segment of the story. Or… maybe in both these cases author David Wroblewski is writing brilliantly and counting on the reader to be able to complete the thought of the unknown and I just didn’t get it :D.
Overall, certainly not a bad read, just not a “Loved it!” from me.
Book Journey 
A good friend of mine tried reading this and said she couldn’t finish so I haven’t even tried.
This is a WONDERFUL book, I assure you! Please do yourself a favor and try! Our friends aren’t always right.
As for this review, I assure you, too, that it’s WONDERFUL. Read the hard copy. Forget the audio and e-books. It’s huge but will seem too short when you finish.
Thanks for your thoughts! Yes, sometimes books do come across better than audio.
I’ve heard mixed reviews of this one but I still plan on reading it. Mostly because I live in the area he is writing about. I work at the Mellen School and I think most of the story takes place in Mellen…but you would know that better than me! lol
That is cool – I hope you enjoy it, let me know 🙂
I really liked this story but I read it. It was long and drawn out at times so I could see how that would make the audio less enjoyable. I don’t think it sounds harsh, I like the honesty!
Thanks Rebecca, I glad you enjoyed it! 😀
If I did attempt this one, it would definitely be the print version. I think it would be harder to connect via audio…but that’s just me, perhaps.
It may have been the audio. 🙂
I really liked this one. It was the (1) library book I was forced to purchase as I left it on my deck overnight and it poured:)
I loved this book when I first read it, but I have to admit its details don’t remain with me. What I recall is my surprise at how captivated I felt about a “dog story.” And I fouond Edward to be a remarkable character, such a complex young man.
Interestingly, I’ve followed an on-line discussion of this book the past month and the reactions have been overwhelmingly negative.
I wish I could remember how this book got a 5-star rating from me.
I read this maybe two years ago, and I don’t remember how it ended. I remember thinking that the book got way off track and being disappointed, though …
I think this won all kinds of awards a while back but I never saw book blogger who really loved it so I skipped it.
The author went to a local college, so it caught my attention that way. But then I saw so many people who felt like you. I’ve just skipped it and I don’t think I’ll change my mind. Not all books can be winners for all of us!