One sentence summary
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle follows the life and journey of a young mute boy and his loyal dogs as they navigate through a tragic family secret.
Book genre
Fiction, family drama, coming-of-age.
Main topic of the book
The main topic of the book is the power of relationships, both human and animal, and how they shape and influence our lives.
Key ideas
- The bond between humans and animals can be just as strong and meaningful as human relationships.
- Secrets within families can have a lasting impact on future generations.
- Communication goes beyond spoken words and can be expressed through actions and body language.
- Struggles with identity and finding one’s place in the world are universal experiences.
Main parts of the book and a short summary
Part 1: Home
In the opening chapters, we meet Edgar Sawtelle, a young boy born into a family of dog breeders in rural Wisconsin. Edgar is born deaf and mute, but finds a way to communicate with his dogs through sign language. We also learn about the strong bond between Edgar’s father Gar and his beloved dogs, who are not only his livelihood, but also his closest companions.
Part 2: Exile
Tragedy strikes the Sawtelle family as Gar mysteriously dies, leaving Edgar and his mother Trudy to run the farm. Soon after, Trudy’s estranged brother Claude moves in to help, but his intentions are questioned by Edgar. As Edgar grows older, he begins to suspect Claude of foul play in his father’s death. Feeling betrayed and threatened, Edgar runs away from home with his dogs to escape Claude.
Part 3: Flight
Edgar and his dogs navigate through the wilderness, facing challenges and dangers along the way. They eventually find refuge in a nearby town, where Edgar meets and befriends a girl named Henry, who helps him uncover the truth about his father’s death. But as his dogs start to fall ill, Edgar realizes he must return home to confront Claude and find justice for his father.
Part 4: Found
Back on the farm, the truth is revealed and a violent confrontation occurs between Edgar and Claude. Through this experience, Edgar learns about the complexities of love, forgiveness, and family. He also discovers that he has a gift for training dogs, and becomes determined to continue his father’s legacy with the Sawtelle dogs.
Key takeaways
- The importance of strong family bonds and the impact of secrets within families.
- The power of communication and connection with both humans and animals.
- The journey of self-discovery and finding one’s purpose in life.
- The resilience and loyalty of dogs as companions.
Author’s background and qualifications
David Wroblewski is an American author and musician. He grew up in rural Wisconsin, where he spent his childhood around dogs, which served as inspiration for this novel. The Story of Edgar Sawtelle is his debut novel, which took him 10 years to write and was a bestseller when it was released in 2008.
Target audience
This book appeals to a wide range of readers, especially those who enjoy family dramas, coming-of-age stories, and animal lovers. Due to some mature themes and violence, the book may be best suited for young adult and adult readers.
Publisher and first publication date
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle was published in 2008 by HarperCollins Publishers.