This week, I'm submitting a book review to Sunday Salon:
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski is the most recent pick for Oprah's Book Club and it is a thoughtful literary masterpiece worthy of 5 stars. This is not your fast-paced thriller beach read; this is a novel you want to read carefully and allow to steep and absorb.
The characters are complexly drawn, three-dimensional and the story itself is highly emotional and inspiring. Edgar, the main protagonist is mute, yet his communication with his dog shows the astounding depths of the relationship between man and animal, and that language is much more than spoken words we hear.
The story had a strong emotional impact on me. Having recently lost my faithful dog of 13 years and later adding a new puppy to our household, it sure made me look at dogs differently. Although the story is fiction and the breed is fictional...well, who knows? Anything is possible, right?
I will admit the story is slow in parts, mainly because I think the author is striving to really paint a picture of the world he's created and the people who live in it. To me, the book's overall plot is a success and the reward for sticking through it all is satisfying. It's the kind of novel I personally prefer. One that makes me think while I'm reading it, and one that I think of long after I've put it down.
I don't expect it will be long before we see this novel made into a movie.
This novel was an honor to read.
~Cheryl Kaye Tardif, bestselling author of Whale Song
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski is the most recent pick for Oprah's Book Club and it is a thoughtful literary masterpiece worthy of 5 stars. This is not your fast-paced thriller beach read; this is a novel you want to read carefully and allow to steep and absorb.
The characters are complexly drawn, three-dimensional and the story itself is highly emotional and inspiring. Edgar, the main protagonist is mute, yet his communication with his dog shows the astounding depths of the relationship between man and animal, and that language is much more than spoken words we hear.
The story had a strong emotional impact on me. Having recently lost my faithful dog of 13 years and later adding a new puppy to our household, it sure made me look at dogs differently. Although the story is fiction and the breed is fictional...well, who knows? Anything is possible, right?
I will admit the story is slow in parts, mainly because I think the author is striving to really paint a picture of the world he's created and the people who live in it. To me, the book's overall plot is a success and the reward for sticking through it all is satisfying. It's the kind of novel I personally prefer. One that makes me think while I'm reading it, and one that I think of long after I've put it down.
I don't expect it will be long before we see this novel made into a movie.
This novel was an honor to read.
~Cheryl Kaye Tardif, bestselling author of Whale Song
9 comments:
I'm glad you hear your review of this book. I'm always curious about the buzz behind a great debut authors' book. I've heard the same thing - that it's slow in parts but worth getting through. I'll have to check it out!
Happy Sunday.
Hey, are you going to put one of those blog follower buttons here? That would be cool so I can stalk, I mean, follow you. :)
K
You're the second person to recommend this book on Sunday Salon. I'm really going to need to check it out.
Hmmmm...if it's slow in parts, I might lose interest. Sometimes if I opt for the audio format, I can stay with a book longer.
Great review!
It really seems good. I will heck it out. Thanks!
Interesting blogs, links and books
This is the second excellent review of this book that I've come across this week. Fortunately my local library has a copy and it's on its way. Thanks for reinforcing my thought that I needed to read this one.
Thank you all for commenting on my post.
Karen, there is a blog feed button at top left, so stalk away. :)
Frumiousb, three times a charm, so if you hear about it again, you better go buy a copy. :)
J. Kaye, I bet the audio is great; I wonder who's doing the reading... :)
guatami, heck, you'd better check it out. ;)
and Table, thank you for calling my review excellent...now if you're looking for more books to read, I believe I have 3 excellent novels you'll enjoy. :)
Please visit my website, leave me a note there.
Cheryl
I've heard so many great things about this book. I have heard it does lag a bit in places, but not enough to put down the book. I'm very anxious to read it. Thanks for your thoughts.
I like slow books...thanks for the review. I'll read it one day, I hope. It sounds really good.
I've added the Blogger 'follow' gadget, so now you can follow this blog that way. It's about halfway down on left side, under the blog archive. :)
Cheryl
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