The Art of Racing in the Rain
 | By Garth Stein Harper, 2008, Hardcover Customer Rating: 198 reviews Recommend |
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Enzo knows he is different from other dogs: a philosopher with a nearly human soul (and an obsession with opposable thumbs), he has educated himself by watching television extensively, and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver.
Through Denny, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition, and he sees that life, like racing, isn't simply about going fast. Using the techniques needed on the race track, one can successfully navigate all of life's ordeals.
On the eve of his death, Enzo takes stock of his life, recalling all that he and his family have been through: the sacrifices Denny has made to succeed professionally; the unexpected loss of Eve, Denny's wife; the three-year battle over their daughter, Zoë, whose maternal grandparents pulled every string to gain custody. In the end, despite what he sees as his own limitations, Enzo comes through heroically to preserve the Swift family, holding in his heart the dream that Denny will become a racing champion with Zoë at his side. Having learned what it takes to be a compassionate and successful person, the wise canine can barely wait until his next lifetime, when he is sure he will return as a man.
A heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a beautifully crafted and captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life . . . as only a dog could tell it.
Title: The Art of Racing in the Rain
Sales Rank: 172 in Books
Author: Garth Stein
Publisher: Harper, 2008-05-01, Hardcover, 336 pages, ISBN: 0061537934
Package Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.2 x 1.7 inches, 1.1 pounds
- Not perfect, but a very good read
- "The Art of Racing in the Rain" is not perfect, too many flaws in the story and the writing for get 5 stars, but well worth reading.
The dog's eye view of the world (Enzo) makes the story, even with the human (Denny) being so darn dumb off the track. As a bonus, much of the racing stuff rings… More reviews
- Love the dog, hate the story
- A week after finishing this book, I feel compelled to counter much of the effusive praise with an unpopular critique based on the merits of the plot. While Enzo is a noble and wise soul whose observations and musings confirmed much of what I believe goes on in my dog's mind, I found the story itself as saccharine and implausible as a Lifetime made-for-TV movie. Characters too flatly… More reviews
- I love that dog!
- I bought this book from Starbucks, because I loved Marley & Me and apparently, I'm a sucker for a dog on a book. I bought it without reading the excerpt, and was happy to discover the book is narrated by the main character, Enzo. Enzo describes his life with the family, the funny stuff, the happy times and the extreme difficulties Denny (Enzo's… More reviews
- Dog lovers beware - tears will fall.
- The opening chapter of this book tells us that this is going to be an unusual story - one told in the voice of the dog, Enzo. And Enzo is dying. However, the book is much more than that. Garth Stein, the author, has Enzo remember his puppyhood as well as most of the details of his life with Denny, a race car driver. In the process… More reviews
- Written for me!
- My wonder dog, Belle, is 14 years old. I've been worried - "When will the time come?" or worse, "How will I KNOW the time has come?" Garth Stein wrote this wonderful book for me. As much as my husband and I remember Belle's life and times and the funny stories, she may remember,too! She knows who she was and… More reviews
