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: FANTASTIC! A MUST READ!
Summary: 5 Stars
If you are a spiritually and philosophically open person, looking for a beautifully written and deeply intelligent novel that delves into themes of transcendence, forgiveness, and even magical thinking, then you will love this book.
If, however, you prefer a more rigid spiritual or philosophical outlook--or, if you are extremely literal and simply can't get past what a dog really would or wouldn't think, then don't even try to read it. You will miss most of what this book has to offer. Sure, Enzo is a thinking dog, and tough things happen to the characters in this novel. And those of us who are spiritually deadened or hard-hearted may not see beyond that.
But I believe this novel is about transcending physical and mental limitations, reaching beyond what seems possible, and taking on a new way of seeing things. There is truly great joy to be found in this book. Filled with wisdom, insight, and passion, the novel asks us to question assumptions we may make in our lives.
I love how subversive this book is: Since Enzo is a dog (even though he believes his soul is nearly human), he is able to put forth some very progressive ideas--ideas that we readers might have rebelled against had Enzo simply been a human being. It is his dogness that makes him so disarming and allows us to fall effortlessly into his world and his take on things.
The novel's greatness does not rest solely in its subject matter. So it really doesn't matter if dogs or racing are not your thing. I don't know much about racing, but I do appreciate Enzo's ideas of how the principles of driving can be applied to living a more successful life.
This novel is at once original, funny, riveting, inspiring, moving, and profound. A rare novel with heart and soul, that is also beautifully written and intelligently conceived. A sure classic!
Book Review: The tension is between the dog and the reader
Summary: 5 Stars
There have been few good talking dog stories. Paul Aster's novel Timbuktu comes to mind as a notable exception. At a writing workshop I was once warned to never write a talking dog story. I didn't listen. If Garth Stein ever received similar advice, I'm glad he didn't either.
This talking, or rather, anthropomorphically thinking dog story finds a near-perfect pitch. We experience the book's world through the eyes of a dog living as a human-in-training. The first-person canine narrator describes things as he sees them, interpreting things his way, while the reader interprets the same events from a human perspective. For me, it was the tension between these two points of view that created the real tension. I spent half the story seeing the dog Enzo's master as perfect, and half realizing that a dog's perspective may not be the most reliable.
The human protagonist turns out to be, if not perfect (as any dog would see his master) at least a nice guy. I gave this book to two friends, one male and one female. The male friend and I both enjoyed it more than the female, who put it down for several weeks in the middle. The male friend did make an interesting comment, wondering if the male human protagonist would have remained so likeable if the author had been a woman. The question seems rhetorical.
The female friend found the middle, long years when the protagonist is denied custody of his child, too long and too sad and too frustrating. The ever-present car racing metaphor, where people drive for hours-on-end to win or lose by seconds, didn't seem sufficient compensation for the emotional stress she was asked to endure.
I liked the book very much. Even the storybook ending seemed the only appropriate reward for the loyalty, sometimes blind loyalty, of a really good dog.
Book Review: It is a fabulous story, and great literature.
Summary: 5 Stars
Here is what I shared with the author:
> I am certain you have heard tons of stories from dog owners who loved
> "The Art of Racing..."; here is mine.
>
> We are on Golden Retriever #3, Barkley. First was George - made it
> 13 years - then Sam - another 13-year verteran - now the B-Boy, who
> will be 2 tomorrow.
>
> Received your book for Father's Day, inhaled it over a two-day period.
> Could not put it down; did not want it to end.
>
> I guess all three of our Golden boys could have been named Enzo
> after reading your novel! I call Barkley "Enzo" half the time now.
>
> I want to say "thank you" to you. I am not the most well read person
> on the planet, but I have read most of the classics, devote a certain
> part of the day every day to reading and keep my reading list diverse.
>
> This is one of the finest pieces of literature ever written, and I am
> not kidding. You have taken the timeless issues of love, courage, faith and right/wrong, woven then in an incredible story line, told it through the eyes of a loyal,loving dog (which, as we all know is God spelled backwards) and made it work with precision. Then you fold in devotion, focus, even the concept of reincarnation with mastery.
>
> In a former life, I owned an advertising agency with my wife. I would
> tell the copywriters if they could take a work OUT of an ad without
> hurting it, they had helped it. I swear to you, I cannot think of one
> single word that could be taken out of your entire novel WITHOUT
> hurting it.
>
> You have incredible talent and I thank you for sharing it with me.
> And all the Enzos in the world.
>
> Michael Coates
Book Review: I didn't want to like this book... but I really did.
Summary: 5 Stars
I first saw this book at Starbucks and picked it up to find out what it was all about. A book about car racing, told from the perspective of a dog? Now, I like car racing a lot and I like dogs a lot, but that just sounded far too hokey to me; after all, I read serious stuff, right?
Then, my mother told me she read the book and that she thought I might enjoy it. That was the final straw. I had to read the book just to prove to myself that it couldn't possibly be good. (An admittedly odd reason to read a book, but given the result, one I may pursue again).
I loved it.
Garth Stein obviously knows dogs and racing. The whole book is filled with details about both that show his understanding of his subjects on a fairly deep level. Further, he knows something about life, and that's where this book really shines. Stein has - in a completely non-hokey way - used car racing metaphors to illustrate truisms about life. As a fan of racing, I particularly enjoyed the analogies, but I think the metaphors are just as accessible to non-fans. Stein keeps the ideas simple and explains them well, there isn't any jargon that would cause non-fans to lose anything in translation.
Stein also uses the unique access of a "stupid dog" to situations his human characters don't get to witness as a great story-telling hook. Our canine narrator, Enzo, gets to go places his master, Denny, doesn't, hearing and seeing things for the reader that move the story along quite nicely. Again, it's an aspect of the book that could have gone over the top, but is instead used effectively by Stein and turned into a really good book.
Take it from a skeptic turned believer. This is a book with some really good insights into life that is also a very enjoyable read. Highly recommended.
Book Review: I've gotta be honest...
Summary: 5 Stars
I have read novel after novel in the last year, and this is by-far the most enjoyable read yet! I'm disappointed with the folks writing so-called reviews about why this book is horribly written. Lets get one thing straight...this is NOT Marley and Me, and if you're going into this thinking it might be, then yes, you will be let down.
On the other hand, if you enter this book in terms of how a dog, who finds simplicity in all things and enjoys that simplicity, thinks - then you will HIGHLY enjoy this novel. Enzo is every dog - and we can learn a lot about ourselves. How often do we take time out of our busy days to enjoy the simple things that God blesses us with? How often do we stop and listen to others without interrupting? That's what I love about my girls. They are so excited to see me when I come home, no matter how long I've been gone. Dogs don't hold grudges. Dogs will hang on your every word as if you were an intellectual scholar. They give love so freely, and ask so little in return.
This book really made me think of my own place in this universe and how insignificant I am in the grand scheme of things. Maybe I need to slow my pace down. Maybe I need to listen more and talk less. Maybe I need to be slow to anger and quick with patience.
This book is hilarious and uplifting. I was moved by this novel and it's simplicity. It truly makes me appreciate my girls even more. It even makes me wonder what they are thinking about! If you are a dog owner, Enzo will make you laugh out loud. I can picture my dogs doing things he does, but at least now I know what they are probably thinking about when they do it!!
I hope you enjoy this book as much as I have! Thanks for reading!