"The Story Of Edgar Sawtelle" By David Wroblewski Chosen As Next Oprah's Book Club Pick

CHICAGO — Oprah Winfrey announced Friday she'd chosen David Wroblewski's "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle" as her latest book club pick, calling the debut novel a classic and the "best novel I've read in a long, long, long time."

"I think this book is right up there with the greatest American novels ever written, I really do," said Winfrey at the end of "The Oprah Winfrey Show." Winfrey raved for several minutes about the novel, comparing it to the work of John Steinbeck and even, she said, Harper Lee, author of "To Kill a Mockingbird."

"I will say that, yes I said it," Winfrey said.

The novel is already one of the summer's hottest reads and is this week ranked ninth on The New York Times best-seller list. It is certain to get a lot hotter with one of the biggest boosts any book can get these days: a little sticker on the cover proclaiming "Edgar Sawtelle" as one of Winfrey's book club selections.

"When you read it you will understand why I had to choose it," Winfrey told her audience. "It is so engaging, so gripping, so epic that I wanted absolutely everybody to share the joy of the story of Edgar Sawtelle."

"Edgar Sawtelle," which Wroblewski worked on for about a decade, is the story of a mute boy who communicates best with his dogs. Wroblewski grew up in rural Wisconsin, the setting for his book, and now lives near Denver with his partner, writer Kimberly McClintock.

Wroblewski appeared via satellite on Friday's program, telling Winfrey from his home in Colorado about writing the book in restaurants and waiting areas and at picnic tables whenever he could, as he worked full-time as a software developer.

Wroblewski said he has been amazed by the reception the book, which he called a "very private project," has received, saying that he wasn't even sure he would find a publisher for it.

Story continues below

advertisement

"I expected there would be a few readers out there who would connect with it, but what happened this summer was not on my radar at all," he said.

Winfrey, saying the book was part mystery, cautioned viewers to avoid reading the inside cover because she felt that gave away too much of the story.

Winfrey said that sometime in the next few months Wroblewski will take part in a live Q&A webcast session with her for the nearly 2 million members of her book club. A date hasn't been announced.

___

AP National Writer Hillel Italie contributed to this report.

___

On the Net:

http://www.oprah.com/index

Comments

[jukesgrrl]

I'm all for reading novels, but I've questioned Oprah's taste ever since she raved that The Bridges of Madison County was one of the greatest books she ever read.

[FirstShirt]

Oprah should be boycotted until she lets Palin on her show. That includes her sponsors. All should be contacted and told their products will not be purchased until Palin is given the same media exposure as the first female VP nominee as Obama as the first presidential nominee.

She is a commercial shill and political hack and this election has proven it.

[twlex]

Seriously? I thought she said she wouldn't host presidential candidates. I would suspect that means no Biden, no McCain, no Obama. I do not see why that is an issue. From what I understand she never hosted Obama since he became a presidential candidate and I'm sure he would like to go on the show again.

[babylukie]

Oprah said a while ago that she is not hosting ANY presidential or VP candidates. So why should she make an exception to have Palin?? Wouldn't she then need to host Obama, Biden, and McCain? Which would then go against what she initially said about not having any candidates on the show.
So why exactly are you boycotting? You make no sense. Your logic here explains why you are a McCain/Palin supporter.

[londonexpat]

NIce try-either you are grossly misinformed (and that would be your fault) or you are perpetuating a fabricated non issue knowingly (which would make you many things...)­.
Do you also forward all those scary e-mails without checking snopes? You are doing a disservice to this country...­..
but thanks for playing...

[toocoldout]

Obama hasn't been on for nearly 2 years. Long before he was a candidate.

[FaceYourFears]

Oprah I don't care what other people say about you.....yo­u're alright in my book!

[fistbump]

Damn, I was in the middle of this book and now I've got to stop for fear people think I was reading it because of Oprah.

[toocoldout]

Are you really that insecure?

[NoSandwiches]

My husband works in a bookstore. As soon as Oprah names a book, women come in requresting the book even though they have no idea that if is on Oprah's list, but because a friend recommended it. Oprah has done wonderful things to get so many people reading. Her power to inspire reaches more than just her audience.

[ZimboChick]

will*

[ZimboChick]

I hate dogs but I love a well written book. While be coppiNg it ASAP

@StephenJK - You cAn haS no bRain akshuaLly

[Veganie]

I tried reading so called popular novels including the bible, and found them to be too wordy. It appears to me they use a lot of words just to make the book thicker, so they can sell more. Now if Oprah really had knowledge and wisdom she would make "The Enzyme Factor" her Book Club pick. I have read several books on enzymes, and this beats them hands down. Everyone should read this book so they can live healthier lives. It's easy to read, and is written by America's pre-eminent gastroenterologist, Hiromi Shinya, MD.

[jukesgrrl]

SPAM.

[twlex]

I can't speak to some of her prior selections, but this is the best American novel to come around in years. The writing is magnificent and it is masterful storytelling. It will be some of the best 600 pages you've ever read, at least if you love dogs.

[StephenJK]

How this woman went from being the equivalent of Jerry Springer in the 80's to what she is now is totally beyond me. It speaks to the population of her viewers and their intellect: unable to think for themselves and too bored to figure out how to do it. Oprah thinks she's Jesus. Except with billions of dollars and the power to shift paradigms (and elections). What a joke this country has become.

[avenue]

Please. Like getting Americans to READ a book is terrible.

[toocoldout]

Nothing wrong with having once been like Jerry Springer (actually she was more like Ricki Lake). If you read the book FREAKS TALK BACK by Yale sociologist Joshua Gamson, it was the tabloid talk shows that Oprah popularized in the 1980s that provided decades of much needed high impact media visibility for gays and did more to make them mainstream & socially acceptable than any other development of the 20th century. Oprah has changed the world in so many ways. It's why Time magazine ranks her as the most influential woman on the planet.

[TheSecularist]

Oprah was never a Jerry Springer equivalent. In fact, she elevated her talk show. She saw that talk shows were steadily moving toward the gutter and moved her talk show to where it is today. She received a lot of criticism and was made fun of as she experimented with new directions for her show. She even had a very public breakup with her head producer Debra DiMaio. Whatever else you may not like about Oprah, she was never a Jerry Springer. And the answer's "no". I am not an Oprah fan. i do not watch her show.

[Dancer]

It IS the STUPID as evidenced by this comment...­geez louise...e­nvy much...! Believe me it isn't OPRAH who has made this country a JOKE!!! She an example of how hard work and talent to find a niche can bring one success AND, yes, she's WEALTHY and, unlike many greedy rich folk, does things with her money to elevate the lives of others. The fact that she has gotten people to read (sad it didn't work for BUSH) is yet another POSITIVE..­.btw...thi­s book (TSoES) is a terrific read...but I'm thinking the commenter I'm replying to doesn't do much of that!

[LydiaKS]

Gosh Stephen JK, are you sure you haven't mistaken Oprah for the GOP? Reading your paragraph parallels everything they stand for. What's wrong with the old addage of starting at the bottom and working your way to the top? She's a perfect example of just that...the American Dream...or wait, has that gone down the toilet too?
Talk about population of people who cannot think for themselves, how about the millions of people who have no brain who go to their respective churches on Sunday and "pastor" tells them who to vote for. And, don't go there with shifting paradigms and elections. That's a "whole nother show". But...you are right about one thing....w­hat a joke this country has become. Things couldn't get much worse....a­nd there are some kissing Miss Troopergate's rear like she's the second coming. Now...THAT is a joke.

[babylukie]

"Gosh Stephen JK, are you sure you haven't mistaken Oprah for the GOP? Reading your paragraph parallels everything they stand for."

So True!!

[QuakerBeach]

Oprah is a healthy, spirited woman who continually tries to make the world a better place each day, any way she can. I will never forget her visit to New Orleans after Katrina and after coming out of the Dome saying, "This should have never happened!" She has raised $Ms through her loyal fans for tsunamis, hurricanes and 911. She has brought sexual predators to justice. And she has encouraged us to read and grow and explore. For fun she does makeovers of homes and bodies and everybody benefits. Oh, and she has Dr Oz who informs us on health. She earned rich.

[thankulord13]

I remember her saying that and boy was she right, "It should have never happened!"

[johnnyjust]

Judging by past books, this is akin to having "Here's an innocuous piece of crap" stamped on the cover.

But the faithful will follow.

[caterpol]

Which of her book choices did you actually read?

One? Any?

And your literary credentials are what exactly?

[txgal44]

So! Who is she hurting?. She's not forcing you to read them. She's suggesting a book. Oprah is a good and decent woman who truly cares about her fellow man. What do you stand for Johnny? Now, aren't you embarrassed?

[anechoic]

not all her past books: Franzen and McCarthy spring to mind

[rep-hater22]

Ya that makes sense. I think the only "innocous piece of crap" is a person who looks at great literature and hates on it. But you are probably a good repub right? probably can't read either and just does as the church tells you. Ya, your a real smart guy, do us all a favour and don't post here anymore because your viewpoint is an commentary and the greater problem that america is suffering from, extreme ingnorance! "the faithful will follow" just like you do as the church tells you. ya buddy your an idiot!

[LWilkinson315]

Oprah- A writers best friend! :) Congrats Mr. Wroblewski

[toocoldout]

Can't wait to read it.

[Heythatsmybike]

Who does this woman think she is...

[IowaCali]

She thinks, or knows, she's a helluva lot richer and smarter than you.

[crayola 08]

she's the most powerful person on the planet. never go against the mighty O.

just ask Kathy Griffen

[Agnim]

Just the most generous and most influential woman on the planet 'she is'. lol

To lay down your childhood body in the place of an adult who was terrified of being raped and ravaged by a 'rapist' is out of this world generous of spirit. That is O! And she has not skipped a beat as an adult.

[txgal44]

She's Oprah! Dummy.

[AceInTheHole]

I hope she thinks that she is a wonderful person, because that is the truth, and more than we can say about 99% of her critics. Who seem to be into Oprah bashing and are almost maniacally envious and mean spirited against one of the greatest women that America has ever produced.
It is appallingly ridiculous, and trite, the way these people resent Oprah and spew their vile hatred toward her, while most of them have never met her or even been in her presence as I have and it was indeed my pleasure.