The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
Creative and Deeply Touching
Enzo knows he’s different from other dogs: a philosopher with a nearly human soul, he has educated himself by watching TV and listening to his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver- Art of Racing in the Rain (Front Flap)
Enzo is convinced that he will come back in his next life as a man. On the last night of his death, he looks back on his life and the struggles that Denny had. The loss of his wife Eve and the custody battle for his daughter Zoe, against Eve’s wealthy parents. Enzo knows that he did his part to reunite the family and has the hope that Denny can still become a champion race car driver.I received a copy of this as an advanced read from Harper Collins Canada. I was just about to start reading this book when my precious dog, Robbie died. Because of the nature of this book, I couldn’t get myself to pick it up until now. It was difficult for me to get through the parts where Enzo described his health and his passing. I had a good cry.
Garth Stein has an amazingly creative and fresh writing style. Using a dog, as narrator not only works, I don’t think the book could have been written any other way.
This may sound like it has the potential to be saccharin sweet and I must confess it has a little bit of that. The ending was also quite predictable, however, don’t let these little "flaws" keep you from this book. There are moments of great sadness, moments that are laugh out loud funny, and moments of great joy. This book is a gem!
Thanks to Harper Collins Canada for an advance reader’s copy of this amazing book and for their patience and understanding.
5/5
Also Reviewed By:
The BlueStocking Society
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I was wondering what this is about - thanks for filling me in so ably!
Katknit said... October 4, 2008 9:30 AM
Anytime Linda! :) BTW Nice picture of you!
Teddy Rose said... October 4, 2008 1:21 PM
Teddy, I'm in the same place you were before reading this book -- my dog died very unexpectedly two weeks ago. This does sound so delightful and I will look for it when I get a little bit further away from the loss of my beautiful Beau. Very touching review.
Linda in Maine said... October 5, 2008 12:09 PM
Thanks Linda!
I'm so sorry about Beau. I'm glad you were able to get away for a little while, but I'm sure it was hard coming back to an "empty" house. It still is for me. Sometimes I still momentarly forget and expect to be greeted at the door. Know that my thoughts are with you!
Teddy Rose said... October 5, 2008 9:32 PM
You wrote a wonderful review. It's a very hard premise to think about, though.
Mr Puffy's Knitting Blog: said... October 6, 2008 8:43 AM
Nice review, the book sounds really good, and having a dog for a narrator sounds really interesting. I think I may have to add it to my TBR list.
Jules said... October 8, 2008 4:11 PM
Thanks Linda! It is a hard premise, which all us doggie parents go through. I'm glad you still have Mr Puffy!
Thanks Jules! It is a nice change of pace and fresh idea for a narrator. If you read it, besure to pop by and let me know what you think.
Teddy Rose said... October 8, 2008 8:43 PM
I LOVE LOVED this book. The audio version with Enzo as the narrator was perfect pitch. Your review was beautiful. Sorry about the loss of your beloved pooch.
Diane said... October 9, 2008 5:23 AM
Teddy, I'm definitely planning to read this one at some point...Great review! I'll be meeting this author at the end of the month at a Book Expo in San Jose!
Wendy said... October 11, 2008 10:12 AM
Diane, I'm so glad you liked this book too. It sounds like the audio version was quite a treat too. Thanks for your kind words, they mean a lot.
Wendy, thanks! That's so cool that you will be meeting Garth Stein. I was hoping that he would come to the Vancouver Writers and Readers Festival this year, since he lives so close. No such luck!
I do have some tickets to see some other wonderful authors though.
Teddy Rose said... October 13, 2008 1:09 PM
I've heard such great things about this book. It's definitely been added to my TBR list ;o). Thanks for the great review!
Kristi said... October 16, 2008 8:40 PM
I think you will like it Kristi. Be sure to let me know what you think of it when you do read it.
Teddy Rose said... October 18, 2008 6:53 PM
Well, here I am, nearly two years later, submitting a comment, in order to get an extra entry for a copy of this book. Since I read your blog thru Google Reader, it's unhandy to leave comments. I've been interested in reading this book even tho' it is not my favorite genre, that being historical fiction. But I do love dogs, and I've heard great things about this book.
Linda said... August 27, 2010 6:43 AM
I just love the idea of the book being told from the dog's point of view. I wonder what story my Rocco would tell!
lizzi0915 at aol dot com
Bethie said... August 27, 2010 12:31 PM
I loved this book...it really touched me because we had to put our dog down a few years ago. I like the fact that it was narrated by the dog.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com
Margie said... September 2, 2010 5:51 PM
This review piqued my interest in reading this book. Then I got a call from my father raving about how wonderful this book is - now I have to read it!
Terry said... September 4, 2010 7:10 AM
I want to read this book so badly! I am still on the waitlist for it at the library. I would love to own a copy, but have not purchased it yet, as I am on a "book buying ban". I would love to win a copy. Please enter me. Thanks!
lusrantsandraves AT gmail DOT com
Lu said... September 5, 2010 4:28 PM
Linda, historical Fiction is my favorite genre too. However, I do like some literary fiction as well.
Bethie, hopefully Rocco's story would be happier throughout.
Margie, me too.
Terry and Lu, it is an awesome book.
Teddy Rose said... September 5, 2010 9:52 PM
Teddy I'm so glad you were able to enjoy this book after the passing of Robbie. I was so sorry to read that your beloved pup died. I hope, although this book was extra painful for you at times, it was also somewhat rejuvenating.
I am excited to read this book especially after you say that you don't think the book would work without a dog for its narrator. I love the unique idea behind this story and am thrilled to know how well the book is done.
Thank you for your review and causing me to get excited about this book.
~ Amy
Amy said... September 9, 2010 7:38 PM
Amy, thanks! I still miss him even though we have D.J. now. He is an awesome dog too! I think you would really enjoy this book and I would love to read your thoughts after you do read it.
Teddy Rose said... September 9, 2010 8:28 PM
Reading your review reminds me that I really wanted to read this book when it first came out. Thanks for renewing my interest!
wolfcarol451(at)gmail(dot)com
Carol W. said... September 11, 2010 5:06 PM
Carol, this is a book you don't forget about once you read it.
Teddy Rose said... September 11, 2010 7:07 PM
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