After the sudden death of his father, a mute boy named Edgar Sawtelle must navigate a web of betrayal and family secrets that forces him into the unforgiving Wisconsin wilderness. Edgar relies on his unique bond with his dogs and his mastery of sign language to process the world around him, but he finds himself pitted against his uncle Claude, whose return to the farm triggers a series of catastrophic events. The narrative follows Edgar's struggle to survive in the wild with three yearling pups while he grapples with the moral weight of his past. The story unfolds as a multi-layered exploration of communication, grief, and the complex dynamics of a family defined by their connection to the animals they raise.

This novel is widely recognized for its ambitious scope and its successful integration of Shakespearean tragedy into a contemporary rural setting. Critics often highlight the author's precise prose and the emotional resonance of the bond between Edgar and his dogs. Readers frequently note the immersive quality of the Wisconsin farm life, which serves as a grounding force against the more dramatic elements of the plot. The work is frequently discussed for its unique perspective on communication, as the protagonist's silence forces the reader to engage more deeply with the non-verbal cues described in the text. The consensus suggests that the book succeeds as both a character study and a complex, layered family drama.