#96 Edgar Sawtelle

Ok, so I finally finished this book last night. And I have to say, "What?!" What an incredibly disappointing ending. It was already 200 pages too long and then I didn't even get the satisfaction of the situation being resolved. I cannot believe that is how it ended? Anybody?

I really liked when Almondine and the other dogs were the speakers for the chapters, that was very interesting to think about the situation through the dogs' eyes. I felt such a connection to Almondine and was very sad when I realized what would happen to her. Poor puppy. I say this after my own dog had yet another seizure last night when my husband startled her out of sleep last night. At almost the spot in the book where Almondine goes looking for Edgar. weird...

Why is everybody dying? Why is there nine thousand pages (OK, here is where you need to know that I exaggerate, a lot) of pointless dog training information, correspondence with other dog breeders, and run through the forest images. I get that he ran away. Now get on with it. When he meets Henry it finally got interesting again. And why doesn't he listen to the crazy Ida lady? Stay away, do not go home.

I am one of those people who enjoy the little paragraphs at the end of movies that tell you the rest of the ever afters for the characters. This book provided so little in closure that a brief epilogue would have been nice. What happens to Tinder and Baboo and Henry? Where do the dogs go after the barn burns? Has Trudy figured it all out? Is Glen blind for good? Do they find out about the mysterious bottle of poison? How does Trudy manage to go on without everybody she loves?

So another Oprah book pick down the drain. What is it with her picking books that are just, well, lacking - in my opinion, of course. I don't mind a long book. I devoured the Harry Potter series. I have read awesome Stephen King books that I wished would keep going on and on. There have been many, many books that I wished were longer. But this one needed some editing and then an alternate ending. Very disappointing, especially after as long as I waited to finish it.

Anybody out there agree? or disagree? I'd love to hear your opinions too!
Next up, Mistress Shakespeare by Karen Harper.