If you loved The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. you will like this prequel. As in Edgar's story, the characters here are beautifully and fully realized people that you wish you knew in real life. The tale of how it all began with the dogs and the Sawtelle family is fascinating and endearing.

That all being said, this is about 400 pages longer than it needed to be. Around the middle it felt like there was a lot of nonrelevant filler that made the momentum of the stories slow to a crawl. Yes, I got bored.

But the last third of the book? Oh my, worth reading again. And again.

Oh this book, this heartbreak, longspun yarn of a book. It took me far longer to read this one than I had anticipated, and it wasn't because it was 1000 pages (though this was a beefy book). It was mostly because it needed its time and space to flower, kind of like letting yeast bloom before you bake with it. There are a lot of stories wound up in a life, and Wroblewski doesn't shy from the complexity of that. I went in expecting "a good book about dogs" and wound up with stories that approach mythology, plus the intimate moments that make or break multiple families. Beautiful work!

Unexpectedly humorous - I laughed out loud and smiled broadly many times while reading this novel.

The time line starts at a catastrophic event, moves forward and goes then before. This story winds back and forth- mostly forth, and just when I thought too much time had been skipped, a realization would come, this was not a story about raising a family or raising dogs, but about a commitment to the people the narrator holds in his heart.

The first time the author asked me to suspend belief in his previous novel, I didn’t even realize I was doing it. In Familiaris, I noticed immediately but was excited to see the connection to characters I had meet before. The second and third times it happen in this book, I started to be concerned it way more fantasy then I typically read. However by the end of the book, up until the last word, I felt that every unexpected detour and suspension of disbelief was well warranted to lay out the back story I never knew I wanted, but was very glad to read.

I have no trigger warnings as a reader, but it should be known, dogs are present in this book as characters. And just as in life, dogs don’t live as long as humans, so you will have to read of dogs dying.

This is a prequel to the book The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, no need to read that book as the events in this book happen before that time frame. Though it does help to know what happens to some of the characters while reading this one. John Sawtelle (this will be Edgar's Grandfather) is out on a random drive in the country, after his car over heats, while waiting for the car to cool down he walks down the road and sees a farm that appears abandoned and thinks it would be the best place to live. The story goes back and forth in time, we learn a bit about John, his peculiar way of working (he's been fired from almost every job in the car manufacturing plant he works in as a result), his pursuit of his wife (though this may have been more of her pursuing him), his friends who are loyal to him. Each step back to describe these situations takes many pages, especially when it comes to a fellow who owns a grocery store and adopts a baby (how this happens is a story in itself), that baby grows into a woman who has some very strange capabilities, I won't go into detail as that would spoil it. John and his wife do acquire the farm and they invite their friends to move in with them (it's a large building). They have a couple children, one of whom eventually becomes the father of Edgar in the first book. There is a lot that goes on in this book and trying to condense it is very difficult. I would highly recommend. Thanks to #Netgalley and #Blackstonepublishing for the ARC.

I was a big fan of Wroblewski's first book, "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle." So when I heard there was a prequel, I jumped at the chance to read it. There were some really great things and some not-so-great things about Familiaris. Here's a list:

GREAT:
• characters. Oh my word, they are rich, lasting impressions who will live in my mind for a long time.
• prose. This is literary fiction to the max.
• epic. The story spans decades, so it's great for readers who enjoy a long story.
• intricate, connected storylines. There were several side stories that really came together and rewarded the reader who stuck with it.

NOT-SO-GREAT:
• the length. This book was nearly 1000 pages. I don't mind a long book, but some parts were so slow, it was a real struggle to get through.
• confusing timelines. Occasionally several years would go by in a page, and I would have to re-read to understand what happened. At other times, we would spend an entire chapter on a single afternoon.
• surprising grief. Again, I don't mind when a story makes me cry, but being surprised by a loss, and then sitting in it for a long time is really not my cup of tea.

This book is a work of art, and there's no doubt many will love it. I caution the lover of "Edgar Sawtelle" to approach "Familiaris" with an open mind, and to expect a different book with the same beautiful writing.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy; all opinions are my own.

This is a prequel to the The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. While not a one day read, it is well worth the read. A bit of a slow start with some slowing down for a while about 70% through. As with the first David Wroblewski book, dogs are heavily featured.
All in all, a wonderful read. Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the advanced copy.

FAMILIARIS by David Wroblewski is a monumental work -- in length as well as in the huge spirit that flows throughout the remarkable story of John Sawtelle and his always curious mind. What John and his new bride create along with a few other hearty souls is nothing short of remarkable in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. Plainspoken, perfectly paced, the story is totally immersive, captivating in the way of all good novels, so completely rendering Wrobelewski's world I felt as if I was there with this remarkable person, the dogs, the incredible life built from courage, intelligence, and faith in one another and oneself. I have not yet read the first of the Sawtelle books, but will so that I can enter again the wondrous storytelling of David Wroblewski. I received a copy of this book and these opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts.

It is spring 1919, and John Sawtelle's imagination has gotten him in trouble... again. "Familiaris" revolves around John Sawtelle, the grandfather of the protagonist in Wroblewski’s earlier work, "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle". Now John and his newlywed wife, Mary, along with their two best friends (a giant carpenter names Elbow and a WWI amputee named Frank Eckling) and their three dogs, are setting off for Wisconsin's northwoods, where they hope to make a fresh start - and, with a little luck, discover what it takes to live a life of meaning, purpose, and adventure. But the place they are headed for is far stranger and more perilous than they realize. It will take all their ingenuity, along with a few new friends - human, animal, and otherworldly - to realize their dreams.

Familiaris takes readers on an unforgettable journey from the halls of a small town automobile factory, through an epic Midwestern firestorm, and an ambitious WW2 dog training program. Here they will examine the dynamics of love and friendship, the vexing nature of families, the universal desire to create something lasting and beautiful, and of course the species long partnership between Homo Sapiens and Canis familiaris – where you can see the name of the book originated from.

The novel delves into themes of friendship, love, work, and life itself, all while exploring the captivating world of dogs. Wroblewski’s beautiful writing and creative subplots make "Familiaris" an immersive experience that rewards patient readers. I truly took my time with all 975 pages

If you enjoyed "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle", you’ll find "Familiaris" equally dazzling and irresistible. With its gripping narrative and memorable characters, this ambitious novel is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and family sagas.

Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for my ARC. This book has been with me all week and I'll always remember this as my great Summer saga.

Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for an electronic advanced readers copy of this novel.

Fans of David Wroblewski's other work, The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, won't be disappointed by this novel. It's a prequel of the first book, following Edgar's grandparents John and Mary and really sets up the reasons behind the actions of the first one (no spoilers but I would definitely recommend fans of his first book read this one, it makes it even more poignant). .

Please be warned, there is a lot of details about dogs and dog training, so if that doesn't interest you, you may not enjoy this. And it is very, very long. I was engrossed with the story and the characters, it was very well-written and the story was interesting. Wroblewski prose is very distinctive and while the length really made it tough to read at times (no knock on his writing or the story, but it was so, so long). It does meander into explaining the lives and actions of other characters besides John and Mary, and sometimes you get impatient to get back to the "main" story.

I did enjoy this a lot but be prepared for a long read.

While it’s a slow moving book, I found it really interesting and engaging. It sort of felt like tubing on a lazy river - not a rush and not necessarily a firm destination, but plenty to take in and you enjoy the process regardless.

The story of John and Mary, their friends and their dogs was endearing, and relatable. There was a great focus on relationships, not giving up on each other, depending on each others’ strengths and finding purpose in what was important to them with the benefits or consequences of their choices. Each of the characters had such an interesting and unique perspective and process, and there was some great humor and dialogue.

Also liked the narrator, I thought it was really well done.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.

An epic and intimate triumph of storytelling. A beautiful work of American fiction. It only loses one star cause it’s a bit longer than it needed to be.

As one of the legions of fans of “The Story of Edgar Sawtelle,” I was delighted that David Wroblewski has returned 16 years later with a prequel to his wondrous debut novel. The story opens in 1919 with John Sawtelle, the grandfather of Edgar. John is working at Kissel Automotive when a disgruntled former employee points a battered revolver at Louis Kissel. Although John apprehends the gunman, and was the hero in the situation, he is wrongly identified in the local paper as a man who idly stood by while Louis Kissel was shot.

Recognizing that his prospects for finding alternate employment were poor, John turns his sights to a unoccupied farm in northern Wisconsin he had stumbled upon when he and his pup, Gus, were driving and their Kissel broke down in the middle of nowhere. John’s devoted bride, Mary Svoboda, is able to finance the purchase of the farm through a well-deserved act of extortion. Although John has no experience farming, he convinces Ulysses Elbow, a carpenter and his best friend from grade school, and Frank Eckling, a depressed World War I veteran who lost a foot and a hand in the war, to accompany he and Mary. After the group settle on the farm, the Sawtelles begin developing their special breed of dog.

Wroblewski has crafted an enthralling and enchanting story. Familiaris is a big-hearted novel that the reader gets lost in and emerges from reluctantly. It is an authentic epic, long and lush, full of back story and minute detail. Although the novel could be criticized for being overstuffed, and the plot does meander, the journey is charming. This is a novel to be savored at a languid pace.

I enjoyed reading Familiaris by David Wroblewski. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

This is the story of John and Mary. They marry in 1919 and buy a farmhouse and property in remote Wisconsin. They convince their friend Elbow to join them. They pretty much capture another friend, Frank, and bring him along for the ride. There are also three dogs who are central to the story.

John is a dreamer. He has lots of ideas but isn’t always certain on how to implement them. This is where Mary steps in. She understands John, recognizes his good intentions and helps make his plans work. Elbow is creative. He works with his hands to make beautiful things out of wood. Frank is a vet who lost an arm and a leg in the war. He is ornery, angry and doesn’t really like much of anything.

These four people create a family. We follow along as each of them find their purpose. As the years go by, some go their separate ways but always manage to stay in touch. Ultimately, this is about love, friendship, family, joy, sadness and growing old. Just when I thought there was no way to make this better, the author brings it to one of the most beautiful endings I’ve ever read.

I received a copy of this book from Doubleday via Netgalley. It is available as of June 11, 2024.

Achei o tamanho do livro muito intimidante. Familiaris tem 960 páginas! Não acho que essa história precisava ser tão longa assim. Tem partes que se movem muito lentamente, sinuosas, e outras que aceleram o ritmo. Apesar disso os personagens são muito simpáticos e adorei o amor deles pelos cachorros. Sem dúvida, a escrita desse livro é excelente. Os personagens saltam da página com vozes, ações e peculiaridades que vão te de pessoas que você conhece e de eventos de vida alegres e trágicos.

I found the size of the book very intimidating. Familiaris has 960 pages! I don't think this story needed to be that long. There are parts that move very slowly, sinuously, and others that accelerate the pace. Despite this, the characters are very likable and I loved their love for dogs. Without a doubt, the writing in this book is excellent. Characters leap off the page with voices, actions, and quirks that range from people you know to joyful and tragic life events.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance read in return for an honest review.

Familiaris by David Wroblewski is an extremely well written and an adventure in itself to read. A perfect fit for this midwestern reader. John Sawtelle and his wife Mary and their furry companions set off on a life journey from small town USA to a WWII and back home again. Through treacherous obstacles, humor, love and the sacrifice it takes to follow your dreams. I found the writing profound and found myself capturing quotes in my notes. I recommend reading this novel for the rich writing style, for every dog lover, as well as anyone who enjoys reading an impactful journey. I especially loved that I could visualize the life of John and Mary.

“Familiarus” by David Wroblewski is an incredibly long novel (about 30 hours), and definitely not for those looking for a quick and easy read. It is the story of John Sawtelle (the grandfather of the character in Wroblewski’s first book “The Story of Edgar Sawtelle” (which I will start reading soon!). There are multiple story lines, and sometimes it was a little confusing to follow. But the main thread is the story how John, his newlywed wife Mary, and their best friends and several dogs start a new life on a farm in Wisconsin in 1919. At times, I found my attention wandering and I yearned to reach the end of the book. But I also know I’ll return to this book again because there are so many layers of the story to uncover. It’s the kind of book rely on if you could only take one book with you on a long journey.

Thank you David Wroblewski for “doing the one impossible thing” sharing with us the back story of the Sawtelle family. It was well worth the wait. Readers will fall in love with the characters and the endearing story of the Sawtelle dogs - however, be ready to shed a tear at the end! Thank you for the advanced read!!

Life is full of special moments, pain, grief, love, and dogs. David Wroblewski makes you feel every emotion on every page. This book is a wonderfully written story of one mans life and mans best friend.

In the spring of 1919, a newlywed couple, their friends and pets hope to start a new life in the north woods of Wisconsin. This is not a quick read, but something that enables the reader to see all angles. Characters are well developed, including the dogs. I recommend this one to anyone who wants to get to know the characters and their surroundings. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.