It took a Wisconsinite a decade to finish his first novel but evidently it was worth the wait. “The Story of Edgar Sawtelle” was the most successful debut novel of 2008 and spent 39 weeks on the New York Times best-seller list. The author David Wroblewski says the tale is set on a small farm in the northwoods near where he grew up.
AUDIO: Wroblewski on story (MP3 :16)
A review claimed “the dogs function like spirits in Shakespeare, or the chorus in Greek tragedy.” That was from O Magazine published by Oprah Winfrey who also chose it for her book club. Wroblewski remembers the day he heard the news.
AUDIO: Wroblewski about Oprah club (MP3 :22)
He was a computer programmer who wrote creative fiction in his spare time. Wroblewski says he feels he’s under no pressure to write another book. The Colorado resident says he enjoys writing and has already started on his second novel, but says it may take him four or five years before it’s ready to publish.
Audio courtesy of Radio Iowa
