The Story of Edgar Sawtelle

I finished this last week. It was really good. It's about an American family that breeds dogs. The couple finally has a child (Edgar) but he is born mute. The story is about him and his relationship with the dogs.

Boo! I posted a reply to this, but it disappeared into some Internet black hole!

I love The Story of Edgar Sawtelle! It's dark, and beautiful, and uplifting and surreal. It's one of those books that leaves you amazed there are people alive who have the talent to write like that... to think like that!

*SPOILER ALERT*

I'm embarassed to admit I got through the entire book without realizing it was a "retelling" of "Hamlet". While reading it I kept getting this nagging feeling of familiarty, but it never clicked. Doh! I have to say though, even if you know the story of Hamlet inside out, don't let it put you off on this book. It is at once the same and totally different. Edgar and those dogs are absolute LOVES!

ohhh too late on the spoiler alert.........., but will def look out for it!

It never occured to me that it was hamlet.

It was fantastic for a first novel.