Winfrey also included the book as one of the few tangible gifts in her recessionthemed thrifty oprahs favorite things that year. As promised, here are some of the discussion questions for david wroblewskis the story of edgar sawtelle. All about the story of edgar sawtelle by david wroblewski. This was one of those books i wanted to just not finish, but i did anyway thinking it would have one of those endings that turns it all around and makes it all make sense. Why does edgar decide to return home after the episode with the tornado at the lake. David wroblewski is the author of the internationally bestselling novel the story of edgar sawtelle, a 2008 oprah book club pick, a barnes and noble discover great new writers selection, winner of the 2008 colorado book award, indie choice best author discovery award, and the midwest bookseller associations choice award. We all know that shakespearean tragedies dont end well and thats what i liked about the story of edgar sawtelle. The sawtelles breed dogs for intelligence, so the ending which so many people hate, but i love has the dogs evolving to a very high level of thought and freely run into the forest. Well, there was none, which made for a great discussion. I liked the writing through out the book, especially the descriptions of the country side. They are the kind of stories that are especially good to read cuddled up in a blanket, holding a mug of cocoa or on a sofa next to a fire. Please be aware that this discussion guide may contain spoilers. Born mute, speaking only in sign, edgar sawtelle leads an idyllic life with his parents on their farm in remote northern wisconsin.
Usually authors put a twist on a famous storyline and intertwine new ideas into the already established plot. Last week, the tuesday book group discussed david wroblewskis popular new novel, the story of edgar sawtelle. Edgar sawtelle, a young boy growing up on a familyowned. Born mute, speaking only in sign, edgar sawtelle le. Edgar s encounter with ida paine is one example out of many. For generations, the sawtelles have raised and trained a fictional breed of dog whose thoughtful companionship is epitomized by. Several praised wroblewskis beautiful and fluid writing style, and we all found his depiction of edgar, the main character who communicates. Even if you are wellversed in hamlet, its worth the read. The story revolves around a mute teenager who lives on a farm in wisconsin with a family thats raised a coveted breed of dog for generati. Are other shakespearean plays evoked in this story.
The story of edgar sawtelle author david wroblewski and oprah are sitting down for a onetimeonly live webcast on monday, january 26, at 9 p. These book discussion questions are highly detailed and will ruin plot points if you have not read the book. Mark doty, author of dog years in this beautifully written novel, david wroblewski creates a remarkable hero who lives in a world populated as much by dogs as by humans, governed as much by the past as by the present. In literature, often times writers use well known novels, letters, or journal entries to create their own pieces of writing. Handpicked recommendations to other books that have a similar writing style or theme to the story of edgar sawtelle. The 2008 book the story of edgar sawtelle by david wroblewski tells the story of edgar, a mute boy who learns to raise dogs, and discovers a few family secrets on his farm as he does. It is a class aparta 570page literary novel that has as much emotional punch as anything i have ever read. The story of edgar sawtelle by david wroblewski, paperback. The story of edgar sawtelle npr coverage of the story of edgar sawtelle by david wroblewski. The book isnt wrapped up nice and neat with a happy, tidy ending. Of the six members present, at least two found the book excellent.
Oprahs book club story of edgar sawtelle webcast transcript. They are heavier than summer reading but still enjoyable. Consider macbeth, romeo and juliet, othello, and the tempest. Depending on how long it takes to get to the screen, i think josh hutcherson bridge to terabithia is. For additional info about the story of edgar sawtelle such as project notes, plot summary and industry news, visit imdbpro. The story of edgar sawtelle by david wroblewski book. Edgars encounter with ida paine is one example out of many. Summary and analysis of the story of edgar sawtelle by. This detailed literature summary also contains topics for discussion on the story of edgar sawtelle.
The novel generates numerous discussions for book clubs. The author too often lapses into hemingwayese, or piles on three descriptive details where two would do, or indulges a moment of portentous foreshadowing, and there is a scene or three that might have been cut or trimmed to the. The story of edgar sawtelle by david wroblewski kirkus. Study questions, project ideas and discussion topics based on important themes running throughout the story of edgar sawtelle. Edgar sawtelle, born mute at birth, utilizes his deep bond with dogs to heal after the death of his father.
Sawtelle dogs, as they are known, are highly sought after. In this long, dense and gothictinged work, 10 years in the making, author david wroblewski constructs a hamletinspired story, with. How would edgars story have been different if he had been born with a voice. The story of edgar sawtelle will someone please tell me. I thought id start a thread on this book, since its been so hyped as the book of the summer. At the heart of the book is a pup from an extremely rare breed, thanks to a family interest in mendelian genetics. The story of edgar sawtelle between friends book club. The story of edgar sawtelle by david wroblewski goodreads. The story of edgar sawtelle is a novel by david wroblewski that reimagines shakespeares hamlet on a dog farm in wisconsin. The story of edgar sawtelle reading guide book club. Determined to be a fulltime mom, a publicist quits her job, but as soon as her husband gets fired, she needs to get her career back, and helping a screen legend to get back in. For a first novel, the story of edgar sawtelle has already met with great success, rising high on bestseller lists and garnering critical acclaim. This is what david wroblewski did for his novel, the story of edgar sawtelle. Papineau for claude and kills him trudy sends edgar away almondine gets hit by a truck claude and glen become suspicious of edgar and make plans to question him edgar sneaks into the barn and asks trudy to keep claude occupied for.
It became a new york times best seller on june 29, 2008, and oprah winfrey chose it for her book club on september 19, 2008. Librarything is a cataloging and social networking site for booklovers. Here are our best recommendations for what to read on long, winter nights. The story of edgar sawtelle is the first novel by american author david wroblewski. David wroblewski is the author of the national bestselling and critically acclaimed novel the story of edgar sawtelle ecco. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of the story of edgar sawtelle by david wroblewski. David wroblewski traces the genesis of the story of edgar sawtelle to an afternoon in 1993, when, as he describes it in an interview with peter scowen of the globe and mail, three ideas suddenly came together. Tuesday book group reads the story of edgar sawtelle. Click to read more about the story of edgar sawtelle by david wroblewski. How would edgar s story have been different if he had been born with a voice.
It was a real roller coaster which left me emotionally drained at the end. In what sense is the story of edgar sawtelle like all elizabethan stage drama. Born mute, speaking only in sign, edgar sawtelle leads an idyllic life with his parents on their. Because this project is categorized as in development, the data is only available on imdbpro and is subject to change. Mark doty edgar sawtelle is a boy without a voice, but his world, populated by the dogs his family breeds, is anything but silent. The story of edgar sawtelle by david wroblewski is the most recent pick for oprahs book club and it is a thoughtful literary masterpiece worthy of 5 stars. The story of edgar sawtelle by david wroblewskithe novel serves as a parable on the hubris of genetic engineering, says alfred hickling. The story of edgar sawtelle is not alone, of course, in its reanimation of hamlet see matt haigs recent novel the dead fathers club, for. The story of edgar sawtelle book summary and study guide. It ends so badly, and im left feeling terrible for edgar. The story of edgar sawtelle by david wroblewski librarything. The story of edgar sawtelle share book recommendations.
Character descriptions, objectsplaces, themes, styles, quotes, and topics for discussion on the emigrants by vilhelm moberg. The story of edgar sawtelle book club discussion questions. The story of edgar sawtelle questions and answers discover the community of teachers, mentors and students just like you that can answer any question you might have on the story of. Set near the northern wisconsin woods, the story of edgar sawtelle is an epic novel about a family who breeds an exceptionally intuitive and highly intelligent type of dog. The story of edgar sawtelle david wroblewski, 2008 harpercollins 566 pp. Consider macbeth, romeo and juliet, othello and the tempest. Edgar sawtelle is a superb read and i highly recommend it for book club. David wroblewski booklist david wroblewski message board. A totally unauthorized reading group guide to the story of edgar. The story of edgar sawtelle is not a family saga, but it is an ambitious, accomplished, though not flawless work.
Besides edgar and the dogs using a language other than words, there are other ways communication is taking place like this in this book. The story of edgar sawtelle is a wooly, unlikely, daring book, and wildly satisfying. Summary for shakespeare buffs, this is a retelling of hamlet born mute, speaking only in sign, edgar sawtelle leads an idyllic life with his parents on their farm in remote northern wisconsin. The story of edgar sawtelle is a spellbinding tale of love and loss, and the ultimate search of finding oneself. The story of edgar sawtelle by david wroblewski l summary. An instant bestseller, the book remained on the new york times hardcover bestseller list for 39 weeks, was the most successful debut novel of 2008, and became the 62nd oprah book club selection. The library is happy to share these original questions for your use. David wroeblewskis the story of edgar sawtelle has been described as a modern american retelling of shakespeares hamlet. The story plot compared to hamlet is a logical place to start discussion.
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