In 1919, John Sawtelle is a dreamer in search of redemption. With his new wife, Mary, their two closest friends, and three loyal dogs, he sets out for Wisconsin’s northwoods to build a life defined by purpose instead of mistakes. What he finds is a world as perilous as it is promising—one where survival demands ingenuity, courage, and unexpected allies both human and otherworldly.
From small-town factory floors to raging Midwestern firestorms, from WWII’s experimental dog-training programs to echoes of humanity’s ancient past, Familiaris traces the astonishing origin story of the Sawtelle family.
Hilarious, heartbreaking, and profoundly enchanting, David Wroblewski’s long-awaited follow-up to The Story of Edgar Sawtelle is an ode to love, family, and the timeless bond between humans and dogs.
