Familiaris

By: David Wroblewski

Narrated by: Richard Poe

Oprah’s Book Club Pick for Summer 2024

The follow-up to the beloved #1 New York Times bestselling modern classic The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, Familiaris is the stirring origin story of the Sawtelle family and the remarkable dogs that carry the Sawtelle name.

It is spring 1919, and John Sawtelle’s imagination has gotten him into trouble … again. Now John and his newlywed wife, Mary, along with their two best friends and their three dogs, are setting off for Wisconsin’s northwoods, where they hope to make a fresh start—and, with a little luck, discover what it takes to live a life of meaning, purpose, and adventure. But the place they are headed for is far stranger and more perilous than they realize, and it will take all their ingenuity, along with a few new friends—human, animal, and otherworldly—to realize their dreams.

By turns hilarious and heartbreaking, mysterious and enchanting, Familiaris takes listeners on an unforgettable journey from the halls of a small-town automobile factory, through an epic midwestern firestorm and an ambitious WWII dog-training program, and far back into mankind’s ancient past, examining the dynamics of love and friendship, the vexing nature of families, the universal desire to create something lasting and beautiful, and of course, the species-long partnership between Homo sapiens and Canis familiaris.

©2024 David Wroblewski (P)2024 Blackstone Publishing

Absolutely brilliant characters

This is several deep love stories, an epic family saga, and a paen to dogs.

Mid-story there was a point at which I had to decide whether or not to finish because of the subject matter. After a day I dove back in and powered through. (You might do the same but be strong. You can do it!)

In the end I loved this book.

Richard Poe is the perfect voice for “Familiaris” and makes a wonderful story truly unforgettable.

I don’t have the words but this author does.

I just finished this book minutes ago and I want to start it over right now. These characters became my family. That’s the power this author weilds. Magnificent beyond words.

A great story and so well told

I am not fond of such long books but this really was a great story

Y h a beautiful story

Loved the humanistic side of life and 15 words Is way tooooo much to expect

Love of dogs and friends

The best book I’ve listened to in years. Lived every minute of it! Laughed and cried.