The Story of Edgar Sawtelle

This is a first novel for David Wroblewski. It is the story of a young man who was born mute and his coming of age on a Wisconsin farm where his family has been raising extraordinary dogs for many years. It is a very peaceful existence with his mother and father, Edgar is excited to have a litter of the dogs to train and raise. When his father's brother moves in, the peace is disturbed by the fighting of the two brothers, his father finally asks his brother to move out. Shortly afterward his father dies unexpectedly and his uncle returns to help Edgar's mother and eventually they become a couple but Edgar starts to suspect that his uncle was responsible for his father's death. After a confrontation with his uncle, he flees to the Wisconsin wilderness with 4 of the dogs. In time and after many adventures he returns to the farm. This book has a very dramatic ending. Oprah Winfrey has added this book to her recommended reading list. I highly recommend it too.