Who Would Like This Book:
Dog lovers - brace yourselves! This heartfelt novel, narrated by the wise and philosophical Enzo (a dog who’s convinced he’ll come back as a human), delivers a touching look at loyalty, hope, and the human condition. Enzo’s unique perspective turns family struggles and everyday moments into soulful observations, with race car driving metaphors weaved throughout. If you enjoy animal narrators, thoughtful life lessons, and books that bring both smiles and tears, this one’s for you.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Not everyone finds this book a perfect lapdog. If quirky narrators aren’t your thing, or you have trouble suspending disbelief that a dog can wax poetic about philosophy and race strategy, this may not work for you. Some readers found the plot melodramatic, the ending overly neat, or were frustrated by racing references and certain plot devices. If you’re looking for subtlety or realism - or want to avoid stories with sad pet farewells or “everything tied up with a bow” endings - you might want to steer clear.
About:
'The Art Of Racing In The Rain' by Garth Stein is a heartwarming novel narrated by Enzo, a dog who shares his perspective on life, family, and the world around him. Through Enzo's eyes, readers experience the joys and sorrows of his owner, Denny, a race car driver, and his family. The book weaves together themes of love, loyalty, and the human experience, all while using racing as a metaphor for life's challenges and triumphs.
The writing style of the book is engaging and unique, as it captures the essence of Enzo's voice and musings on life with humor and insight. The story unfolds through a dog's point of view, offering a fresh and emotional take on family dynamics, personal struggles, and the power of companionship. Readers are drawn into Enzo's world, where he navigates through love, loss, and the pursuit of understanding the complexities of human relationships.
Genres:
Tropes/Plot Devices:
Topics:
Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include themes of terminal illness, grief, family conflict, and a child custody battle.
From The Publisher:
The New York Times bestselling novel from Garth Stein–a heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of a dog’s efforts to hold together his family in the face of a divisive custody battle.
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
Ratings (136)
Incredible (31) | |
Loved It (48) | |
Liked It (29) | |
It Was OK (17) | |
Did Not Like (9) | |
Hated It (2) |
Reader Stats (272):
Read It (144) | |
Want To Read (60) | |
Did Not Finish (3) | |
Not Interested (65) |
4 comment(s)
I cried, an amazing dog story, super emotional with the characters <3 Will always be a classic in my mind
This was a poignant and sad read but also uplifiting at times, in a sense. Its hard to describe. It does feature some adult themes, namely rape, so its not one for young kids to read, although the front cover may make you think that its for kids. Another theme covered is grief. I think thats what the title refers to, carrying on during difficult times. It is quite a memorable read. I'd recommend it.
I expected this book to be hokey considering that the book is narrated by dog by but instead I was surprised by how insightful and moving Enzo's story is. Enzo is a dog but believes that he will be reincarnated as a human when he dies. Although he plays the part of a dog and does things like fetch and let his stomach get scratched, he is always aware of his final goal to become human.
This book is both a telling of Enzo's life as well as his life with his owner Denny. Through the course of the book, Denny starts as a single man and eventually meets and marries and becomes a parent.
After Denny marries Eve, Enzo is unsure of how this changes their relationship. After Eve becomes pregnant with her first child, Enzo and her bond and Eve asked Enzo o promise to always protect Denny and her daughter Zoe. I was most surprised by the concept that dogs can smell internal illness before medical doctors are able to detect the sickness.
Eve is eventually diagnosed with a life threatening illness and during this time, her parents use this situation as away to obtain custody of Zoe. Denny is brought to the edge of ruin yet he persists because of his love for Zoe and Enzo.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book and especially liked when Enzo has a dream where he is given a way to speak and be understood by humans. This book is uplifting & heartbreaking at the same time. It definitely makes you wonder if all pets have similar thoughts and aspirations just like Enzo and if so, here's hoping their life is as rich as Enzo's.
This is my March book club book, and when it was suggested, I thought "great. A dog narrator. And car racing! The sport of turning in circles. This is going to be ridiculous." I could not have been more wrong. Enzo, the canine narrator, is a great observer of human behavior. He hopes to be reincarnated as a man, and to that end he watches and listens carefully in order to be the best man he can be in the next life. As an outside observer, unable to truly communicate with the humans around him, he gains insight into human behavior and relationships that are hard for us to see for ourselves.
Enzo's master, Denny, is a race car driver who falls in love with Eve, who comes from a much wealthier family. Together they have a daughter, Zoe, and then Eve falls gravely ill. What comes after Eve's illness is a years-long test that Denny and Enzo must endure together; Enzo often compares Denny's ability to play far into the future to his uncanny ability to drive race cars in the rain.
At times heartbreaking and hilarious,
The Art of Racing in the Rain played on my love of animals as well as opening my eyes to the zen-like skill the best race car drivers possess. I guess there's a reason Netflix keeps trying to make me watch that documentary on Senna.
What can you read after
The Art Of Racing In The Rain?
About the Author:
Garth Stein is the author of Enzo Races in the Rain!, based on the New York Times bestselling novel The Art of Racing in the Rain (and its tween adaptation, Racing in the Rain). His other works include A Sudden Light, How Evan Broke His Head and Other Secrets, Raven Stole the Moon, and a play, Brother Jones. He is the cofounder of Seattle7Writers.org, a nonprofit collective of sixty-two Northwest authors dedicated to fostering a passion for the written word. Garth lives in Seattle with his family and his dog, Comet
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.
