The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski

It's been over a year since I finished this book, so it's a bit fuzzy, but I'll do my best.

Wroblewski produced a nice story here, it's just a bit long. I almost felt, when I finally finished the book, as if I'd just completed a foot race and was just happy to be done; move on to the next activity. That said, I must admit that some part were very good.

The book, in my opinion, could be broken up into four parts. Part 1 introduced the main character, Edgar. He lives on a small farm with his parents in Wisconsin. Edgar helps his parents with the breeding and raising of a special breed of dog. He's good with them, and he's good at the process, thanks to his good friend, his father. The downside for Edgar; he's mute. Edgar uses signs with the dogs as well as his parents--a twist new to me. I was intrigued with this, at first, but as I continued to read, it got old.

In part 2, we are introduced to Edgar's uncle, Claude. Edgar does not like Claude, and he believes that he may have had something to do with his father's death. The relationship isn't clearly described.

In part 3, Edgar runs away from home, taking three of the dogs with him. Twists and turns leave the reader wondering what it will all come to. I wondered if maybe the ghost that Edgar saw in part 2 might reappear--I hoped that this would happen. The ghost was alluded to just one more time in the book, much to my disappointment.

Part 4 brings Edgar back home. The conclusion is a bit disappointing.

6.5/10
Make sure you set lots of time aside,
Steve
Bookopine

Such a Pretty Girl by Laura Wiess

Wiess tells the story of a young teenage girl, Meredith, whose experiences are far from the norm. With a father in jail for molestation, and a mother equally as evil, she has no where to turn, until she finds solace in a friend. The connections they have only begin with age; the stronger tie is subtly revealed as the reader is drawn into the emotions and conflict of two people with a goal at which they only arrive through tragedy.

I found some of the plot shifts to be a bit of a damper at certain points. For example, when Meredith finds it necessary to move out of her house and into her grandmother's, the change takes place quickly, and before the reader finds himself comfortable with the new setting, Meredith is moving out. Almost no description of the surroundings was given, etc. It just seemed to happen so quickly. I found myself wondering if maybe I had misread something; maybe she didn't actually move out. Maybe she only considered moving out...what just happened?!

The story is first person, and that always seems a bit uncomfortable for a bit, but after a few pages, I'm good. And Weiss does a good job of it, indeed. By the third chapter I completely forgot about person. That's always a good thing.

The conclusion of this book made it worth the read. Not to spoil things for her future readers, I'll just say that sweet revenge is oh, too rare.

7/10

Read With Pleasure,
Steve
Bookopine

Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah

The first two-fifths of this book familiarizes the reader with the characters current lives. The last three-fifths familiarizes the reader in detail with the past life of one of the characters; the mom.

Meredith is a forty-year-old woman with two children and a successful career as a manager of a family-owned apple orchard business. Her bitterness with her monotonous life is clearly portrayed by the author.

Nina, Meredith's younger sister, is also professionally successful, but in an altogether different way; she's a photographer who has world-traveled and loves adventure.

The main common bond, other than family itself, between these two women, is that they know very little of the past of their mother. They both agree that she is cold, distant, and difficult. What they don't know is that they are about to learn the truth about her past. The truth about her past is what makes this book so amazing.

Don't become discouraged at the "romance novel" likeness of the first part of the book. IT GETS BETTER! In fact, it gets so moving that you'll be glued for hours at a time. The mom, Anya, reveals a past that gives a new perspective to middle-aged women who think, for the most part, about themselves only.

Become entranced, then sit for a while and realize how good life is.

9/10
A Definite Read For All,
Steve--Bookopine

Fault Lines by Nancy Huston

In this book, we follow four generations of six-year-old's. We start with Sol and go backwards in time. Sol is, simply put, a spoiled brat who is also a genius. He has a self title: Son of Google, Son of God, Eternal Omnipotent Son of the World Wide Web. And this character portrays everything self-absorbed. He is told how wonderful and perfect he is, and the result is evil. He has, as does each character portrayed before him, a birthmark in the form of a mole. His parents see it as an imperfection, and when they attempt to have it removed, it almost kills him.

Next, Sadie is introduced to the reader. She has a strong interest in her mother's past and goes to extremes to find the truth.

The next two generations are portrayed more effectively, but that may be because I feel a connection with World War generations.

The story is creative, sometimes witty, and thought-provoking.

7.5/10

It's worth the time.
Enjoy,
Steve--Bookopine

My Books Blog will...

I'll give my thoughts on the books that I read. I've titled the blog "Bookopine" for a reason--it will merely reflect my opinion...take it or leave it. Two things spurred me to do this. The first, my daughter, Danae's new blog on cooking (what a great idea!), and the second, a couple of really great books that I've read in the last couple weeks.

Hope you check in now and then. Comment, too!

Take care,
Steve