The Story of Edgar Satelle

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, written by David Wroblewski, was the November 2008 book choice of the Ratted Out Club. Edgar Sawtelle is a young teen who was born mute and communicates only in sign. He lives with his parents on a remote farm in Wisconsin. The Sawtelle family is not your typical farm family - they raise, train, and sell a fictional breed of dogs. Be sure to get out your Hamlet cliff notes and allow yourself more than just four weeks to read all 566 pages of this incredible saga (as our book club did). You will be fascinated as you come to understand the connection of this beautifully written story with the characters of Hamlet. This is a book that should be read slowly and without interruption as you absorb all its secrets and beautifully written prose. Pay close attention to the Prologue, pay close attention to Almondine, and pay close attention to the spiritual meaning of this story. Alas Edgar... we knew not what to become of thee. We highly recommend this book to all!

The Wednesday Letters

The Wednesday Letters written by Jason F. Wright (author of the Christmas Jars) was the Ratted Out Book Club's choice read for October 2008.

Jack and Laurel Cooper have been married 39 years (imagine that!). Although their love cannot deny an untimely death, they leave this earth cradled in each other's arms. Their three beloved young adult children gather together again to grieve and remember the life they all once shared. It is back at their childhood home where they find boxes overflowing with love letters that were written every Wednesday by their father to their mother from the time when they first married.

This is a engaging story of forgiveness and love - an easy weekend read that we warmly recommend to others.