To End or Not to End ...

I'm coming into the final chapters of The Story of Edgar Sawtelle with mixed emotions.

(You can continure reading this, there will be no spoilers)

On one hand, I can't wait to see how it all turns out. I learned more about the novel than I should have prior to reading the book (I really recommend you just pick up the novel and dive it without reading anything about it). I'm familiar with the story it's framed around (to say it's based on said story isn't really accurate ... there clearly are parallels, but there is so much more to it than a "retelling"). Since I know how the original story ends, I have an idea how Edgar's tale will unfold, but one never knows. That's why they call it poetic license, eh?

On the other hand, as much as I want to know how Mr Wroblewski wraps up his yarn, I don't want it to end. It's one of those books where I've found myself in a world of lovely, rich, complex characters and vivid landscapes (both physical and psychological) that I really don't want to leave it.

Honestly, it's got me fantasizing about moving to the country and raising dogs.

One good thing about finishing amazing novels is that you can always go back inside them. So after tonight, it will end up on the shelf next to the likes of Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant, Saint Maybe, The Poisonwood Bible, A Home at the End of the World, Owen Meany, The Cider House Rules, and The Time Traveler's Wife.

Truth be told the list is a lot longer than that and, now that I think about it, I don't have copies of most of those anymore because I've handed them over to people saying, "you have to read this."

So go get your own copy of Edgar Sawtelle, 'cause I'll be wanting to revisit certain chapters again and again. There's nothing like a good novel to serve as a textbook on how to write one.