Oprah Winfrey has announced her latest Book Club pick, “Familiaris,” from New York Times bestselling author David Wroblewski. The book, published by Blackstone Publishing, is a sequel to Wroblewski's critically acclaimed novel “The Story of Edgar Sawtelle.”
“David takes us on an extraordinary journey where history, philosophy, adventure and mysticism brilliantly intertwine to explore the meaning of love, friendship and living your life's true purpose,” Winfrey told CBS Mornings .
“Familiaris” follows Edgar Sawtelle's grandfather, John Sawtelle, his new wife, Mary, and their friends and dogs as they start a life together in the Northwoods of Wisconsin.
Fans may recall that Winfrey selected “The Story of Edgar Sawtelle” as one of her choices in 2008, underscoring her long-standing admiration for Wroblewski's work.
Wroblewski said he didn't expect to be picked a second time. He said he was knocked out in 2008 when he was picked, but was shocked when he was selected a second time, compared to being struck twice by “the best kind of lightning.”
“I just didn't expect this to happen twice. What a privilege,” he said.
While writing “The Story of Edgar Sawtelle,” Wroblewski discovered that the character of Edgar's grandfather demanded a larger role, which led him to eventually write “Familiaris” 15 years later. The new book delves into the character's background and life, exploring themes of love, adventure and the bonds between humans and their canine best friends.
Wroblewski said his experiences growing up on a farm in Wisconsin influenced his writing. He used his family's farm as the setting for the novel, although he moved it 100 miles north and exaggerated its qualities to fit the story.
“The barn in this story and the barn in Edgar are the same. That's the barn I used to crawl around in as a little kid. And the house is a variation of the house I grew up in,” Wroblewski said.
“Familiaris” is built around what Wroblewski calls the “five great quests” of John Sawtelle's life, which span 40 years without following a strict chronological order.
A central theme of “Familiaris” is love and the title reflects this dual focus on family and dogs. The word 'Familiaris' comes from the Latin name for dog – canis familiaris – and also encompasses the concept of family.
When asked about the appearance of the Sawtelle dogs, Wroblewski said he prefers to leave that to the readers' imaginations.
“I want readers to be able to imagine what the dogs themselves look like,” he said.
Here you will find questions, discussion topics, and other materials to enhance your group's discussion of David Wroblewski's “Familiaris.” discussion guide.
Read an excerpt from Chapter 2, entitled “Under the Wheels of the Error Train” here.
