The Art of Racing in the Rain: A Novel
by Garth Stein
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Book Reviews of The Art of Racing in the Rain: A Novel
Book Review: For Dog Lovers Everywhere
Summary: 5 Stars
I don't necessarily know why, but when I first read the title of this book, and found out it was being told from the point of view of the dog, for some reason I thought that "racing in the rain" meant the dog physically enjoyed racing in the rain, not that the dog learned from his master about racing a car in the rain, so uh, that was amusing for me. I'm glad that this book doesn't have to be for people that even care about racing, Enzo does bring it up a lot, but as someone who doesn't care for racing I still never felt annoyed or bored.
What I felt was anger, a whole lot of it. In a good way, though, in the way that the author intends for you to feel it. I guess it's a sign of how much I cared about the characters that I constantly felt horrified at the stuff that was happening to them. I think we've all had moments in our lives where we're going through hard times and we're left thinking, "Could this possibly get worse?" For the characters in this book, it totally does, and I kept cringing every time something new was about to revealed. What's so great about this though, is that it sets up for a really satisfying ending.
Also, Enzo's inner commentary on everything that goes on now has me talking more to my pets. They, in turn, stare more when I talk. What ususally happens after that either tells me that they don't understand what I'm talking about, or that they totally understand but are choosing to ignore me. Hm.
I want to add that my enjoyment of this book was probably greatly due to the fact that I am a huge dog lover. I don't know if it would touch people the same way if they're not as attached to dogs as I am. Regardless, it's still a good story and I believe people should give it a try whether or not they're really into canines.
Book Review: A gift I didn't think could be real -
Summary: 5 Stars
The car goes where your eyes go, says the dog." In this book it's better though than when I tell it. I've heard it said that The Art of Racing in the Rain was this year's Johnathin Liviginston Seagull.
I don't think so though. Jothanathin Livingston Seagul is not a pimple on The Art of Racing in the Rain's butt (sic). I read this book as a gift loan to me. I read portions with my hurt old dog. I finished it on the iPhone Kindle returning home from work in Africa last week. I was wiping my eyes with the airline blanket. I knew I would be; it's that good.
It's all about the dog's perspective and his life with his owner, and what's inside the dog. Reminds me of C.J. Cherry's early sci-fi... Serpent's Reach, in that it is intensely inside the non-human's head. Garth Stein's book brings perspective and insight, from our minds to the dog's, and visa versa every page. Reminds me of the Hani.
Nice size, beautiful cover. The Kindle the art of racing in the rain presents beautifully on the iPhone Kindle. I say it works better on the iphone kindle better than it does on the regular Kindle.
I buy this book for gifts. Special gifts. I think only "special people really get the full strength import of The Art of Racing in the Rain. If you're in PETA, you might not like it. If you like your animals the way God made them, your animals, you'll love it. AFter I finished the art of racing in the rain, on the plane from Africa, I picked my lab up at the HowlaDay Inn on the last leg of my commute. This book affected how I look at him greatly. From as soon as he got in my truck. Maybe I'm an old sentimental guy, but this book really ...... Sorry, I tend to ramble.
Two thumbs up from me and my dog.
Book Review: A truly lovely story that's a little to heavy on the racing for me.
Summary: 4 Stars
I would have had no problem giving this book 5 stars if the constant, detailed descriptions of car racing had been toned down. As a woman who is not a fan of car racing, I went from bored to irritated to downright annoyed as the story lapsed into page after page of racing talk on a regular basis. I GET that car racing was being used as an metaphor for life, etc., etc., but I don't have to be hammered over the head with it, especially when it is a subject in which I have no interest.
That off my chest, this is a sweet and sad story about a man (Denny) and his dog (Enzo). The story is narrated by the dog so, when Denny meets and marries Eve and they later have a daughter, Zoe, you get to see these major changes in Denny's life through the eyes of the one who knows him best. Having the dog narrate the story is brilliant...you can be so creative with it because, after all, who really KNOWS what a dog is thinking?
Enzo loves racing and he loves to watch TV. Denny started leaving the TV on for Enzo to keep him company while Denny was at work, so Enzo learns many things this way--about racing, about the world and about life. He is a very wise dog! But it bugs him sometimes that he's a dog and not a man. He believes that in his next life, he WILL be a man, and he feels that he is completely ready for the challenge.
I loved Denny & Enzo's relationship, especially that Denny talks to Enzo (I talk to my dog too, and have found that a lot of people think it's silly). Without giving away the story, there is much sadness and frustration in the story, but the only part I found weepy was at the end (and that was a doozy).
Recommended for all dog owners and racing fans (even moreso if you are both).
Book Review: Review by David Allan Reeves author of "Running Away From Me"
Summary: 5 Stars
Running Away From Me
Life is a series of ups and downs, peaks and valleys; it is darkness and light intertwined. No one said life is fair and the true mettle of our character is revealed when we face the inevitable adversities of our existence. "The Art of Racing in the Rain" by Garth Stein is not about recovery (not recovery form addiction at least), but the title could be a metaphor for learning to live life on life's terms.
It's a fictional story that is inspirational, sad, and at times, laugh out loud funny. It's funny because the story is told in the first person from the point of view of Enzo, the family dog. It's sad because it deals with loss and the main character's struggle to keep his life together when he is plotted against in a most loathsome and hideous manner. It is inspirational because he handles his adversities counter-intuitively, thereby keeping his dignity intact and his goals attainable. In other words, he knows how to race in the rain.
"The Art of Racing in the Rain" is one of those books that keep you thinking about it long after you've put it down. Telling the story from the dog's point of view was an ingenious literary device that allows the reader to explore life's complexities from a unique perspective. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the emotional roller-coaster ride of a feel-good story that leaves you with hope, faith and confidence in our ability to transcend the worries of this world.
Running Away From Me
Book Review: Very good book but NOT FOR CHILDREN
Summary: 4 Stars
I very much enjoyed this book and really enjoyed it's unique perspective in storytelling - however, people need to be very careful how and to whom they recommend it.
I was first made aware of it in November of 2009 when sitting in Reagan Airport waiting on a flight with my [then] seven year old son. A woman sat next to us and struck up a conversation in which she highly recommended this book - saying that it would be a great book for my son.
Well, fast forward to September of 2010 and I was going through some old notes and came across this book recommendation and, after reading the Amazon.com summary, ordered it for him. Luckily, his mother skimmed the book before he was actually given the book (at 8, he's a voracious reader and would have devoured it in a few days time)...and I wish I could go back and box the woman's ears!
I read the book quickly, on a flight between Detroit and Las Vegas and quite enjoyed it. But a mother dying of cancer, statutory rape...these are not things a child should be reading about in a book and I'm utterly shocked that a person would think it was.
I'm also disappointed that Amazons summary of the book was so benign - there was nothing in it that indicated these things so that I could avoid buying it for my son.
With all that said, Mr. Stein has happened upon a method of telling a story. I love this dog and his story telling ability. The story he actually tells could have been interchanged with any of of a million story lines and it wouldn't matter - the dog is the star of this story.
I do recommend this book to any dog lover who has had difficulty in parting with their beloved pet.