I've listened to many long audiobooks in my time - I love a good saga, and the best ones still seem like they could go on after 40, 50, 60 hours. That said, I have never listened to anything, including in-flight safety demonstrations, cruise ship muster drills, annual employee assembly speeches, etc., that has felt as long as the 37 hours of this book.

[book:The Story of Edgar Sawtelle|2731276] wasn't my favorite book - I can say with complete certainty that I had never read, watched, or listened to any version of Hamlet that caused me to think "you know what this needs? Dog breeding!" But I appreciated that for the right audience, it was probably a new way to see that classic hero's journey arc.

Familiaris, however, lacks even that level of focus. It meanders through the story of Edgar's grandfather, John Sawtelle, as he rambles through the first half of the twentieth century with a couple of his childhood friends. If you've heard about the kind of men who think about the Roman Empire every day and view themselves as historical figures, these are the characters one of them would present as examples of "typical" men. Women are mysterious, mystical creatures who hover around the margins of the story working various types of ill-defined magic, and people of color do not enter the picture, or any character's thoughts or experience, at any point.

Historical events are mentioned periodically to provide time stamps, but they reflect the author's desire to prove that he can read a timeline more than any actual relevance to the story. The dogs, so central to the first book, are never the focus of the story, and barely make an appearance until the halfway point. At the end of the book, a deluge of dog-related statistics are intended to...well, your guess is as good as mine.

Adding insult to injury is the narrator, who is clearly a Garrison Keillor fan but lacks the connection to his material that offsets the bored midwestern drawl.

There are SO many excellent sagas out there with fascinating characters, engaging settings, and action that draws you in - please don't spend your precious time listening to this one.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

This is one heck of an audiobook and huge accolades for Richard Poe for his consistency in narrator this epic journey. While I often kick the speed up a lot when listening, I found that I wanted to take my time with this audiobook and it took longer to listen to than it would normally. That isn't to say you can't go fast, I just really bought into Poe's narration and wanted to make it last.

Thank you Blackstone Audio for the gifted ALC.

Familiaris by David Wroblewski and narrated by Richard Poe is the epitome of epic saga. I have not yet read "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle" but after this, I certainly will be adding it to my TBR.

Oof, a huge audiobook so immense accolades to Richard Poe for the aesthetic, consistency and conveying the tone of the narrative closely. A huge task and conducted with talent, skill and empathy. I have never listened to an audiobook longer than 20 hours and was fearful of losing interest, but not in this case. Richard Poe kept my interest as did the narrative

This is an origin story, a story of how the Sawtelle dogs came to be, but also, so much more. A thriller that grows through time and space, from 1919 and beyond, it captures local and global events with the Sawtelle family at its core

An incredible saga to be savoured

Thank you to NetGalley, Blackstone Publishing - Audiobooks, David Wroblewski and Richard Poe for this ALC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

The prequel to "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle" is the origin story to the Sawtelle dogs and the people who raised them. At nearly 1000 pages (37 hours if you're listening to the audio book), there is an abundance of beautiful dialog and detail that set a rich backdrop for the family to grow. This is not a fast-paced thriller, but a book you'll want to settle in to and relish every sentence. If you loved Edgar Sawtelle as I did, you'll find this a worthy follow up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing Audiobooks for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Available now.

I frantically requested this title, upon seeing another installment of the Sawtelle saga. While this prequel to “Edgar Sawtelle” didn’t move me quite as deeply, this author is a definite “must read” for me. The character development, humor, and heartache interwoven into the story are unsurpassed and then there are the dogs…a great read!

If I could sum this book up in one sentence I would say it is the story of all humanity, the strong connection of the human animal bond and nature. It is a very long book but well written and an enjoyable story. It is the prequel to The Story of Edgar Sawtelle and if you enjoyed that you will likely enjoy this one as well. The story touches on many aspects of the human condition, friendship, trust, love, hope, fear, betrayal, philosophy - it's all there in spades. It follows young John Sawtelle and his newlywed wife Mary and two friends who strike out to build their own personal utopia - Relaxalot, on a isolated farm in Wisconsin and how they deal with life, how they interact with each other and how the famous Sawtelle Dogs came into being. This book has just about everything one needs to create its own unique world, even a little paranormal magic thrown in for good measure. I very much enjoyed the narration of the audio book version I listened to, the narrator was amazing. I highly recommend this book for fans of The Story of Edgar Sawtelle and for those who enjoy a deep and engrossing family saga. 5 stars.

Many thanks to Net Galley and Blackstone Publishing - Audiobooks for a chance to listen/read an ARC copy of this fine novel.

Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Audio for an advanced copy of this book for review purposes. This is a prequel to The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. It’s about Edgar’s Grandma Mary and Grandpa John Sawtelle. It starts with John and his friends Elbow and Frank. John and Mary buy a farm near Mellon, Wisconsin and take Elbow and Frank with them. Also in the car are their dogs Vi and Needles. This is a story of family, of dogs, of ideas. The descriptions are poetic, and funny, and sad. You will laugh and cry while reading this book. The audio version is over 37 hours of listening. This would be perfect for book club. It would also be perfect for a rainy day, when all you have to do is read a book and sip a cup of tea. This book will stay with you for years. Read it now and thank me later.

Narrator Richard Poe gives each character a distinct and unique voice in this Wroblewski 'prequel' to his bestseller, The Story of Edgar Sawtelle.

The story time hops through John Sawtelle's (Edgar's grandfather) life and even back in time to the first domestication of dogs. John's new wife, Mary, blackmails her stepfather out of enough money to purchase a farm. The two move there, along with John's friends, So Jack, Elbow and Frank. So Jack has a way with horses and brings his giant horse, Granddaddy. Frank lost an arm and a leg in the war. Elbow is a carpenter from a family of Shakers. Frank has become addicted to morphine and his friends are determined to help him overcome the habit, even taking his artificial leg away from him. So Jack hires out himself and his horse and Elbow builds furniture. John and Mary love dogs and have begun their own breeding program to develop animals with specific characteristics and traits--traits like caring and intelligence. John bases his philosophy of life on a book he stole from the library, Practical Agriculture and Free Will. That book advocates always seeking a better way of doing things, though the book tended to jump around instead of staying on subject. Together, the group makes the farm work and each of them achieves success in their chosen field.

John and Mary have two sons, Edgar and Claude. Though there is not a lot of information about the sons growing up, their story sets the stage for for grandson Edgar in The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. The book also has a mystical character, Ida, who ages slowly and appears periodically in the book when things seem grim.

Readers of the first book will enjoy the back story and those who haven't read it but are looking for a long, long book will want to add this to their TBR pile.

I wish to thank NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for this advance reading copy of Familiaris by David Wroblewski. I wanted to, but didn't have time to read an ebook. I did, however, have time driving, and made use of it listening to this well-told tale of John Sawtelle's life. I have not read the story of Edgar Sawtelle, but plan to after reading this prequel.
If you enjoy a story with well developed characters and relationships, this is a story for you. Throughout his life, John Sawtelle collects and keeps a lovely assortment of friends. Their relationships are complex and interesting. John and his wife, Mary build a family business breeding, training and selling very special dogs. Sawtelle dogs.
You will want to be a part of John and Mary's lives as well as the lives of their children, friends, and the dogs they cared for.

David Wroblewski’s recipe for an epic: Take several sweeping love stories—one between two special people, one between them and their friends, and most importantly, one between them and their dogs. Add in some foreshadow-y family drama, sprinkle in a magical realism side story, and serve on a foundation of beautifully written prose. Enjoy over the course of several days, maybe even weeks (this is not a meal, ahem, story to be consumed in one sitting)

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC in audiobook format.

David Wroblewski’s Familiaris (a magically endearing book) is an ambitious prequel to his acclaimed novel The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. 

Richard Poe’s narration is nothing short of masterful., and is the perfect choice to narrate this novel. Poe's deep, resonant voice brings a gravitas to the story, perfectly capturing the novel’s rich tapestry of characters and settings. Poe’s ability to differentiate between characters with subtle changes in tone and accent makes the audiobook a truly immersive experience. His narration enhances the emotional depth of the story, making the listener feel every triumph and tragedy along the way.

The novel begins in 1919, with John Sawtelle discovering a piece of land in Wisconsin that will become the foundation of his dreams. The narrative is rich with historical detail and explores themes of ambition, love, and the bond between humans and animals.

Familiaris is a meditation on the human condition, exploring the complexities of relationships and the pursuit of one’s dreams. The novel’s length allows for a deep exploration of its characters and themes, making it a rewarding read for those who appreciate detailed, quality storytelling.

Familiaris is a monumental achievement in literary fiction. Wroblewski’s ability to weave together a rich historical narrative with deeply personal stories makes this novel a standout.

Richard Poe’s narration elevates the audiobook, making it a must-listen for fans of epic, character-driven stories. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Wroblewski or new to his work, Familiaris is a journey worth taking. Particularly enjoyable for fans of literary fiction and uniquely talented authors such as John Irving.

This is the first time I have read a book by this author, and I found the entire story delightful! I am looking forward to reading The Story of Edgar Sawtelle next.

This is the type of book that is very hard to rate for me. The writing is exquisite, the characters were compelling but the plot was slow moving and very character driven. There were several shorter exciting subplots sprinkled through the story, but the main story is moving, an incredible testament to history but quite slow. It is definitely worth reading, combining history, philosophy, adventure, and mysticism in a fabulous exploration of love, friendship, and living a true life- so beautifully told but you need the time to truly commit to the story… and those loyal dogs.
At 992 pages or over a day of listening time the author gives the story the time it needs to develop over two generations of Sawtelles - John and Mary Sawtelle stole my heart as they build their life, help friends and pass on their business to their son. They see it all love and loss, betrayal and they stay true to themselves.

I listened to the audio for this book and it was fantastically narrated by Richard Poe.

I suspect that my love for this book hinges in part from the fact that it is set in the Wisconsin Northwoods where I lived for close to fifteen years. I’m well acquainted with the towns and villages mentioned and the beauty of the region and the friendliness of the people is unparalleled. I didn’t care for the Hamlet inspired “ Story of Edgar Sawtelle”, but my only criticism of Familiaris is that it could have been shorter, or split into three books. This is a really long book, but it makes a great summer read. John and Mary Sawtelle, their chosen family of misfits, the wonderful dogs and a special horse named Granddaddy will occupy your thoughts for a long time after the book has ended.

Highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this audiobook.

Unfortunately, this book just wasn't for me. The writing was beautiful, but I just never connected to the characters or the plot. I read Edward Sawtelle several years ago and liked it except for the ending. So, I thought that I would like this one too, which is actually a prequel to Edward Sawtelle. I found this book too detailed, long and slow. I admit that I skipped through several chapters, so I feel that I may not be a good judge of the total story. The narrator for the audiobook was excellent and he did help to get me through the book. I gave the book 3 stars, which to me is a "good" because of the beautiful writing and description.

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 and also had the pleasure of listening to an ALC read by Richard Poe. I was impressed by how distinct and consistent the character's voices were throughout the audiobook. The pacing also helped keep me engaged over the 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 ALC and ARC. This book has been with me all week and I'll always remember this as my great Summer saga.

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 audiobook. All opinions are mine.

This is a colossally brilliant book — Following the life of John Sawtelle, his family and friends from the early to Mid 1900s . You will laugh, you will cry , you will become deeply attached to this family and the dogs they raise-- as you follow them through their lifetime of hard work, love, loss, and memories. — I didn’t want this story to end. This book will be a modern classic with its phenomenal writing in league with the greats and reminiscent of Steinbeck. This is one of the best book for all time. -- I loved this book so much -- it is a masterpiece and I had to read it again--this time I listened to it as an audiobook -- the narrator has a fabulous voice and really brings out the different characters well from John Sawtelle telling the stories throughout the book . In my second reading of the book -- I am picking up on more things the second time around -- this book will be timeless and able to be re-read multiple times -- I hate to leave these characters as the book comes to an end -- I cried when then book was over- just because it was over ! I want everyone I know to read this book and meet these characters.

Thank-you to Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing-Audiobooks for the ALC version of this book . This is my honest review.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing Audiobooks for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review. This is narrated by Richard Poe who does an excellent job.

In drafting this review, I have mixed feelings about this story. It is a slow paced book that is almost 1000 pages. I don’t think this story should be as long as it is. There are parts that moved very slowly, meandering, and others that picked up the pace. The characters are very likable and I loved their feelings for the dogs.

Overall, its a great story of a family farm and their obedience training school. When you read this, tuck in for a long ride.