Journal Entry 1 by missgyder from Brooklyn, New York USA on Wednesday, November 19, 2008

As soon as I finish this, I'll be sending it out on a bookray!

300dogs (NJ/US preferred)
oi-reader (OH/US preferred)
ladybug74 (AL/US preferred)
nightraine56 (MO/US)
imawinn2 (WI/to Canada!)
IceAgent (Canada/Int'l)
MarcThomas (France/Europe preferred)

This book has continued its journey on another bookray--see below! 

Journal Entry 2 by missgyder from Brooklyn, New York USA on Thursday, December 04, 2008

SPOILER ALERT:

Wow, did this book make me mad. Though it's beautifully written, it's a total Hamlet rip-off, but the characters are developed in such a different way that the tragic ending doesn't feel inevitable at all, just stupid. The beauty of Hamlet is seeing how his own actions caused the ending, but Edgar doesn't behave like Hamlet, so the ending doesn't work. I think Wroblewski would be better served coming up with his own plots, instead of trying to rewrite the classics.

Off to start the Ray! 

Journal Entry 3 by missgyder at BOOKRAY, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Friday, December 19, 2008

Released 3 yrs ago (12/19/2008 UTC) at BOOKRAY, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA

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Off to 300dogs!

USPS #: 9102 7850 9140 1852 9456 51

When you have possessed a book with mind and spirit, you are enriched. But when you pass it on you are enriched threefold.--Henry Miller 

Journal Entry 4 by 300dogs from Jackson, New Jersey USA on Monday, December 22, 2008

Just arrived today. I am looking forward to this one! I have two ahead of it and will try to get to it asap. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! 

Journal Entry 5 by 300dogs from Jackson, New Jersey USA on Friday, January 23, 2009

Major spoiler alert!!

I just finished reading this book about an hour ago and have typed and retyped this entry at least a half a dozen times now. I did enjoy the story but I have so many unanswered questions. I like when everything comes together at the end of a novel and I just didn't feel that way tonight. I wish there was a Cliff's Notes version of this book so I can understand it all. I have not read Hamlet so I am unfamiliar with the similiarities between the two.

I wonder if in the prologue, was the poison purchased specifically to one day kill Claude? Why did Edgar question so many times about how his parents had met and yet when Trudy offered to tell him the true story, was he not then interested? What made Edgar decide to return home after the storm with Essay on the beach? And most importantly, what happens to the dogs? Again, I did enjoy this book but I feel I need to read it again one day. I think it is much more involved that just a story about a mute boy and his dogs.

My favorite chapters were the ones revolving around Almondine. I loved this paragraph..."That was what the concern had been about, she realized. The baby had no voice. It couldn't make a sound. Almondine began to pant. She shifted her weight from one hip to the other, and as she looked on--and saw his mother continue to sleep--she finally understood: the thing that was going to happen was that her time for training was over, and now, at last, she had a job to do." And of course, when she gets hit by the car and dies, it just broke my heart.

I already have the address for the next reader and will mail this out tomorrow. Thank you missgyder for offering this ring! I am looking forward to reading future journal entries about The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. 

Journal Entry 6 by 300dogs at By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, January 24, 2009

Released 3 yrs ago (1/24/2009 UTC) at By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

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Mailed today to the next reader, oi-reader, in Ohio. 

Journal Entry 7 by oi-reader from Toledo, Ohio USA on Monday, February 02, 2009

Arried safely today :) I have 2 rings ahead of it and will try to get it moving soon. Thanks for allowing me to participate! 

Journal Entry 8 by oi-reader from Toledo, Ohio USA on Sunday, March 15, 2009

Just an update, I turned page 300 this evening and am determined to finish this book, but have been finding it difficult to concentrate on it. I have pm'd the next in line and hope to get it moving in the next week or two. 

Journal Entry 9 by oi-reader from Toledo, Ohio USA on Friday, March 20, 2009

I'm not sure what I thought of this book, but I can say I do not think it lived up to all the media hype that it received. In some ways I thought it was beautifully written, yet in others I felt the author just was wayyy to wordy and drew the plot out much more than was necessary. Yes, I found the story line a bit Hamlet like, which was a disappointment. Several times while reading this book I was easily distracted (highly unusual for me)and over all I found it did not hold my interest well at this time.

It is packaged and ready to be shipped to ladybug74 tomorrow. Thanks for sharing missgyder! 

Journal Entry 10 by oi-reader at :o), -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Friday, March 20, 2009

Released 3 yrs ago (3/21/2009 UTC) at :o), -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA

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off to ladybug74, the next in the ring! 

Journal Entry 11 by ladybug74 from Dothan, Alabama USA on Wednesday, March 25, 2009

I received this book in today's mail and will start reading it within the next couple of days. I am finishing up one bookring that I have ahead of this one. 

Journal Entry 12 by ladybug74 from Dothan, Alabama USA on Thursday, April 02, 2009

I've had to struggle to finish this book. Parts of it are good. I really liked Edward's character and was amazed at how smart Almondine was. For some reason this book seemed much longer than it was and seemed to drag on and on. I hated the way that it ended. 

Journal Entry 13 by ladybug74 at Book Ring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, April 02, 2009

Released 3 yrs ago (4/2/2009 UTC) at Book Ring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

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mailed to nightraine56 

Journal Entry 14 by nightraine56 from St. Louis, Missouri USA on Monday, April 13, 2009

Got this in the mail on Saturday. I'll start it as soon as I finish up what I am currently reading. 

Journal Entry 15 by nightraine56 from St. Louis, Missouri USA on Monday, April 27, 2009

I could not get into this book. I may try again sometime, but I think I need to let it move on. Thanks missgyder for letting me participate. I will be sending this in the mail in the next day or so to imawinn2. 

Journal Entry 16 by imawinn2 from Neenah, Wisconsin USA on Friday, May 01, 2009

Edgar arrived safe and sound in Wisconsin today. I had heard that the author is from the northern part of this state and that the story also takes place there. I should be able to easily visualize the scenery in the story as I have passed through the Chequamegon area a time or two. Thanks for sending the book this way and for the bookmarks inside. 

Journal Entry 17 by imawinn2 from Neenah, Wisconsin USA on Thursday, May 21, 2009

The story of Edgar Sawtelle is not a fast moving tale but one that is full of physical and emotional narrative. For that, it was a wonderful read as one followed Edgar Sawtelle's life, trials, tribulations and his connection with the people and dogs around him. I was reminded of Steinbeck's gift of describing, in intricate detail, the sights, sounds, tastes, smells and feelings in his stories. I thought David Wroblewski did a fine job in that department.

For the most part, I enjoyed this story. I became attached to the character of Edgar and especially liked following him on his journey through the wilderness. In his attempt to run away from his life’s tragedies on the farm, I noticed how quickly he and the dogs formed a pack and Edgar had taken on a more feral nature, as he and the dogs struggled together to survive. After a debilitating injury to one of the dogs, Edgar becomes acquainted with Henry, an ordinary and somewhat solitary guy, who gains Edgar's trust and allows him time to rethink his future plans.

I liked the story until the end. I thought that the last part fell a bit flat and my reaction was, “Oh, that’s it, then… huh.” All and all, however, I was glad I read this book.

I have already PMed the next person in line for this book. IceAgent asked me to skip them so I’m just waiting to get an address from MarcThomas.
 

Journal Entry 18 by imawinn2 at Neenah, Wisconsin USA on Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Released 3 yrs ago (5/26/2009 UTC) at Neenah, Wisconsin USA

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Edgar Sawtelle was dropped off at the Neenah, WI post office today. It is now traveling to Paris, France to hang out with MarcThomas. Bon Voyage Edgar! 

Journal Entry 19 by MarcThomas from Paris, Ile-de-France France on Monday, June 08, 2009

Got it in the mail a few days ago. Thanks for sharing!

As I'm apparently the last person on the list I assume I can keep the book as long as I like. I have a few books that have been waiting to be read for months now so I'll start them instead of this one. I'll probably give the book to someone else after I've read it. 

Journal Entry 20 by MarcThomas from Paris, Ile-de-France France on Friday, July 24, 2009

I've not finished reading the book yet but a new ray is about to get started. Edgar will soon resume his journey!

Here's the list so far:
1. lnatal (Brazil)
2. Cross-patch (England)
3. purple-pixie (England)
4. judygreeneyes (USA)
5. krl112 (USA) (skipped)
6. odonnajean (USA/prefers USA) <-- On its way here
7. jeskawest (USA/ prefers North America)
8. tostle (USA/International)
9. Qantaqa (Germany/prefers Europe/wishes to stand near the bottom of the list)
10. yayajanuary (Indonesia/Australia or Austria)

There may be a few rearrangements so most people's shipping wishes are satisfied. Please double-check the list before asking for the next person's address. 

Journal Entry 21 by MarcThomas at by mail, a fellow bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases on Monday, July 27, 2009

Released 2 yrs ago (7/27/2009 UTC) at by mail, a fellow bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases

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I quite liked the story. Sometimes I found it hard to get all the details but it may be because my English is not perfect. Anyway quite an enjoyable read overall.

On its way to the next reader! 

Journal Entry 22 by lnatal from São Paulo, São Paulo Brazil on Thursday, August 06, 2009

I just received from Paris, France from MarcThomas. I will send later to England. 

Journal Entry 23 by lnatal from São Paulo, São Paulo Brazil on Monday, August 24, 2009

A quite controversial book but I liked any way, despite all reviews. This book was sent last week to UK. Happy reading. 

Journal Entry 24 by Cross-patch from Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Saturday, August 29, 2009

Thank you Inatal, the book has arrived safely. You have all left me wondering. Controversial! 

Journal Entry 25 by Cross-patch from Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Sunday, September 27, 2009

I found this tragic epic to be all that it was promised to be. Hamlet was the skeleton, but that was only a starting point. The understanding portrayal of the 3 generations of Sawtelles and their dogs, learning from each other held me in its thrall. I loved all of the stages in the story and even found the ending fitting, though sad, and not my preferred imagined ending. I shall miss Edgar now!

Going into thr post tomorrow. Thank you missgyder for making it available. 

Journal Entry 26 by Cross-patch at to next participant, a ring/ray -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, September 27, 2009

Released 2 yrs ago (9/28/2009 UTC) at to next participant, a ring/ray -- Controlled Releases

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I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. 

Journal Entry 27 by purple-pixie from Nuneaton, Warwickshire United Kingdom on Saturday, October 03, 2009

It's here! I should finish reading my current book today so I can start reading Edgar Sawtelle without delay. 

Journal Entry 28 by purple-pixie from Nuneaton, Warwickshire United Kingdom on Thursday, October 29, 2009

I haven't read Hamlet and am not familiar with the plot, so I can't comment on the comparisons made by other readers, but I agree with 300dogs who was left with many unanswered questions. There were some parts of the book that made me wonder whether I had missed something, it just didn't seem to sit properly. I found the ending a real amticlimax, it just sort of fell flat. I'm not sorry that I read this book, I just thought that it offered more than it delivered.

Sending to Judygreeneyes, we currently have ongoing postal strikes here in the UK so please excuse any delay in its arrival! 

Journal Entry 29 by judygreeneyes from San Diego, California USA on Friday, November 13, 2009

The book arrived safely here in San Diego yesterday. I'm really excited about reading it and will get started right away! 

Journal Entry 30 by judygreeneyes from San Diego, California USA on Tuesday, November 24, 2009

This book rates one of my rare 10's. I just loved the story and didn't want it to end. I never knew dog training could be so fascinating.

This is certainly a coming-of-age story, and an unusual one. Edgar, who is mute, lives with his parents, and they breed and train dogs. One of my favorite characters in the book was Almondine, the family's pet dog. She had such a special bond with Edgar, and the few chapters told from her viewpoint were fascinating, didn't seem hokey or strange. A long lost uncle, Claude, the father's brother, shows up after being away for many years, and everything seems to go wrong from that point on. I found it almost unbelievable that Edgar's mom couldn't see through Claude. I wanted to slap her at times :)

I liked the section of the story that focused on Edgar's travels with three of the dogs as companions. Edgar's pain at being around the farm and seeing Claude spending time with his mom was really palpable. The ending, of course, is not to many people's liking, but some stories just have to end like that. I highly recommend this book -- one of the best I read in 2009.

This book is now leaving for a trip to krl112. Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 31 by judygreeneyes at San Diego, California USA on Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Released 2 yrs ago (11/24/2009 UTC) at San Diego, California USA

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Now travelling by mail to odonnajean (krl112 passed on her turn). Enjoy!!