The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
Fiction/Literature

This charming story is told from the perception of Enzo, a dog who has a human-like soul, loves watching TV to learn things, is obsessed with opposable thumbs, and most of all loves his family. When he is taken home by Denny as a pup, he quickly becomes Denny's best friend in shares in Denny's joy of race car driving. Enzo accepts Eve when Denny becomes married but doesn't love her until Eve gives birth to Zoe and asks Enzo to protect her always. Once Enzo understands his role in the family, he truly accepts and loves Eve.

Enzo notices a decaying smell coming from Eve's head but he can't communicate to her that there's a problem. This is a great quirk of the book. Enzo shows his love or displeasure in the only ways dogs can. Yet the reader learns of Enzo's thoughts and understands Enzo as a person.

Despite the fact that this book is narrated by a dog, it isn't difficult to get in to. You immediately fall in love with Enzo and understand his bond with Denny. Car racing plays a big factor in the book, including being used as a teaser for what's to come. It got to the point where I was so involved with what was going to happen in the next chapter that I almost skimmed through the racing analogies so I could see what happens. To think if dogs really did think like this!

I rarely get emotional over a book, but I shed a tear at the end of this one. It is such a sweet story and a must read for dog lovers.

First Line: "Gestures are all that I have; sometimes they must be grand in nature."

Rating:

(4.5/5)