The Art of Racing in the Rain
by Garth Stein
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Book Reviews of The Art of Racing in the Rain
Book Review: A dog's life
Summary: 5 Stars
Enzo, a philosopher-dog with terrier/lab origins, has one wish: to be reincarnated as a human. Enzo's owner, Denny, is a semi-professional race car driver who talks to him like he's his equal, so Enzo is well-versed in the art of racing, particularly in the rain. Enzo and Denny watch in-car race videos of Denny's races, and the rest of Enzo's education comes from countless hours of television (some educational, some not).
Enzo admits that he's frustrated by his lack of ability to communicate with humans, from his too-floppy tongue that fails to form words to his lack of opposable thumbs that won't allow him to open doors. He tries to conquer his animal instincts around Denny's young daughter Zoe (no biting and no chasing), and struggles to love Denny's wife Eve, whom he sees as competition. When multiple tragedies strike Denny's home, Enzo is as supportive as he can be under the circumstances. Towards the end of his life, he is reflective about his mission on earth, and looks forward to being reincarnated as a human, so he can finally talk to Denny as a man instead of barking incoherently.
Enzo is a funny, observant narrator, who, although not book-learned (he was never able to teach himself to read), is intelligent, articulate, and has a wicked sense of humor (jalapenos plus obnoxious in-laws plus expensive Berber carpet, for example). His deep insights into human (and canine) nature ring true, especially when he is the only other witness to an incident that nearly ruins Denny's life, and Enzo plays a role in reversing Denny's rock-bottom fortunes.
Delightfully told, The Art of Racing in the Rain is an outsider's look at what makes humans tick, as well as an ode to the art of Formula One and racing. It's a love song to the simple pleasures in life (walking in Seattle's drizzle, stretching out on a sun-warmed sidewalk) and the bonds we forge with those around us. Truthfully, most of the time I kept forgetting that Enzo was even a dog, although he does talk about his early puppyhood at a Washington farm, for Enzo is determined to shed his canine form for a human one, and this includes his thinking processes and actions (as his hips gradually deteriorate, he finds ways to mask his limp so that Denny doesn't suspect). The novel's ending may be a bit too sweet for some, but I found it to be a perfect ending to a tale that only Enzo could tell. Stein's rich, evocative language and heart-tugging storyline involving Enzo's family will be sure to delight fans of Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog and other dog-themed novels.
Book Review: Much more than racing in the rain (spoiler alert)
Summary: 5 Stars
I had been on the library's waiting list for this book for awhile. By coincidence, my number came up shortly after my 20-year-old cat died. And a few years ago I said good-by to my First Dog, Keesha. So I melted as I read some of the scenes between Denny and Enzo.
But the book has haunted me for reasons beyond my feelings for the dog and the Seattle location. It's really about human sadness -- about a person who lives a life where he doesn't quite fit. Denny, the dog says, doesn't really belong in Seattle. His marriage never feels right. His job gives him a lot of latitude to pursue his racing dreams, but he really doesn't belong behind a counter. His in-laws are a piece of work.
Both Denny and Enzo lead pretty tough lives. Enzo has to spend a lot of time alone. On Denny's frequent trips, Enzo gets boarded with people who are kind but indifferent. He gets tossed in a garage and left alone in a house for three days. One temporary host - the Evil In-Law - cruelly feeds him a pepper and he gets a most, um, delicious revenge. I was cheering for him.
Denny's tragedies make him a candidate for a modern Job. It's a series of bad things happening to a very good person. There's an understated but strong commentary on modern life. False accusations are not uncommon. A deadly illness means coping with an indifferent medical system. Money counts. Yet, as a lawyer character says, Denny is a competitor. Quitting is not an option.
The novel really comes together when the dog realizes he is dying. He realizes some wonderful events will be taking place and, he says, "I won't be there to see them." Animals of course don't know they will die, but their owners do. And in that brief sentence, Enzo captures the essence of the human condition: the ultimate pain of recognizing that sometimes you really have to say, "Never."
As I get older, I find myself thinking, "I may not be there." Enzo loves his owner so much it hurts to watch. He isn't sad about dying: he wants to be there for Denny, not himself.
The last few pages of the book -- a sort of postscript -- are a little over the top. I wonder if the publisher asked for them.
But Garth Stein can write. Each word carries weight and the book's structure is flawless. The theme of anticipating a sad end, and the lyrical writing, reminded me of another "sadness with substance" book, I Heard the Owl Call My Name.
So when I think of Garth Stein writing another book, I have to say, "I hope I will be around to read it."
Book Review: Doggone good dog dawged by dog of a plot
Summary: 3 Stars
There is a lot to love about author Garth Stein's charismatic canine novel narrator. Enzo, a mixture of Labrador on his mother's side, and, terrier, he speculates, on his father's. He is intelligent, throwing around (in his mind at least) phrases like, (p 4) "Life imitating art," waxing poetic, (p 46) "That which you manifest is before you," and "The true test of a champion is not whether he can triumph, but whether he can overcome obstacles...in order to triumph," handing out advice, (p 102) "Pretend you are a dog like me and listen to other people rather than steal their stories," and sharing his philosophy on life, (p 160) "To live every day as if it had been stolen from death, that is how I would like to live." A fan of TV, film and especially car racing, he disdains one thing above all others; crows, (p 69) "They are scum, creatures of cluster, they call them a murder when they are in a group. A good word, because when they are together, you want to kill them," Enzo steals the show, but can't carry the novel alone. And the author seems to have used up all of his imagination and creativity on man's best friend, leaving nothing for the remaining cast. There is Seattle-based racecar driver Dennis "Denny" Swift. Though likeable, he never seems to be in control of anything except the cars he drives. Daughter Zöe does little more than exist and be cared for by others. And Eve, Denny's love interest and later wife, is suspected (by Enzo) early on to have a life-threatening medical problem, so readers spend most of their time worrying about her health.
The plot is even weaker than the characters. We are expected to believe that: a young newlywed mother would ignore obvious signs of ill health, a new father would allow those he loves most to be away for an extended period of time, and a young teen would put herself in a compromising position (the most obvious scene setup in the story). And, oddly, Enzo believes both in reincarnation, based on a National Geographic special on Mongolia, and divine intervention. When he survives an injury, he thinks, (p 257) "...I was not killed. Because I was not finished. I still had work to do." Every dog has its day, which is true, eventually, even for long-suffering Denny. And in spite of the dull human characters and thin plot, dog-lovers will likely love Enzo enough to suffer through it. Fans of the four-legged might also enjoy: Water for Elephants by Sarah Gruen, The Tale of Desperaux by Kate Dicamillo, and Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand.
Book Review: Heart Warming, Heart Wrenching, and Unforgetable
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Art of Racing in the Rain" is the story of the life of Enzo, a lab mix with the mind of a philosopher and the heart of a human. The story is written from Enzo's point of view, and through his eyes we watch as his owner Denny, lives his life. Enzo, Denny's faithful companion, is present when Denny falls in love with Eve, and watches as they get married and start a family. We feel Enzo's joy when Zoe is born, and we feel his love and protectiveness as he lives each day with his family. Seeing through Enzo's eyes, we witness scenes and gain insight that others in the story do not have -- who worries about what they do or say in front of a dog? -- but we also experience his limitations; Enzo can not grasp things, turn doorknobs, or, no matter how much he wants to, speak. We also watch, feeling Enzo's helplessness, as Eve becomes ill then unexpectedly dies, plunging Denny into a three-year custody battle over Zoe with Eve's parents.
Stein does an excellent job of crafting the narration and description to reflect not only Enzo's intelligence and soul, but also his inherent "dogness". Stein's work is quite original in this regard, and his prose has a fullness of development and fluidity that gives Enzo a necessary, believable realism. Enzo's character is very well developed and three dimensional, which contrasts with the flatness of the other characters. However, the flatness is appropriate, given the relationship between Enzo and everyone else. The flatness reflects the mostly one-way relationship between Enzo and others. It reflects the limitations of what Enzo can see and know about them.
There are strong themes of loyalty, determination, and hope despite seemingly overwhelming odds running throughout the book. And the details and discussion about racing and how the principles of racing can give insight into a way to live one's life is a nice counterpoint to the main thrust of the plot. The book also suggests interesting possibilities about the intelligence of dogs. It will make you take a second look at your dog and wonder just how much he or she does understand about your life.
All in all, a wonderful read. If you have a dog, or even if you don't, I recommend that you read this book. It is inspiring.
Book Review: Dear lucky reader: this one's special
Summary: 5 Stars
In Mongolia, many believe dogs can return as humans in a future incarnation, but only after they've lived enough times to accumulate the right amount of cosmic grace.
Enzo doesn't live in Mongolia, but if ever there's been a dog who is ready, Enzo is the one. Already, he's practically human; he knows the world (from watching cable documentaries and news shows), and has learned how to be honorable by watching his owner Denny, whose dream is to become a top race car driver, turn away from choices that would advance his dream in order to support his family. Enzo believes in Denny, who like Enzo himself, only needs a chance to show just how exceptional he is.
But Enzo has also learned that racing isn't only about driving on dry, flat tracks. Nor does the next corner always reveal what we expect. Sometimes it rains, and things go badly wrong. When it rains, only the very best manage to stay on the track and win their way through.
That's why when rain begins to fall into Denny's world, Enzo never doubts his master for a moment. He's there, and he will do his part to help Denny make it through.
As you would expect, Enzo's observations tend to be simple, and the underlying theme and moral of his viewpoint remain visible just below the surface. Sometimes we tend to over-express when putting into words the principles we strive to live by. All the better for us because this is a mistake Enzo doesn't make. His conclusions are more powerful and poignant for their simplicity and as the overall theme is drawn toward the inevitable end point, the fact that we had a pretty good idea where things were going and were afraid for both Enzo and Denny while hoping and praying for the best, makes what happens all that much more satisfying.
The Art of Racing in the Rain is an enthralling, uplifting, and beautifully imagined story. Five stars for all readers.
Art Tirrell is the author of the 2007 adventure The Secret Ever Keeps.
"Simpy put...the best underwater scenes I've ever read." - reviewer Meg Westley