Enzo knows he is different from other dogs: a philosopher with a nearly human soul (and an obsession with opposable thumbs), he has educated himself by watching television extensively, and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver.
Through Denny, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition, and he sees that life, like racing, isn't simply about going fast. Using the techniques needed on the race track, one can successfully navigate all of life's ordeals.
On the eve of his death, Enzo takes stock of his life, recalling all that he and his family have been through: the sacrifices Denny has made to succeed professionally; the unexpected loss of Eve, Denny's wife; the three-year battle over their daughter, Zoë, whose maternal grandparents pulled every string to gain custody. In the end, despite what he sees as his own limitations, Enzo comes through heroically to preserve the Swift family, holding in his heart the dream that Denny will become a racing champion with Zoë at his side. Having learned what it takes to be a compassionate and successful person, the wise canine can barely wait until his next lifetime, when he is sure he will return as a man.
A heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a beautifully crafted and captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life . . . as only a dog could tell it.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Loved it, bought 5 copies as gifts:
Wow! This is not the genre that I usually read. This book was very moving and I could not put it down. I really did laugh and cry. I have given my copy to 3 others who raved about it and bought 5 other copies as gifts. I emailed Mr. Stein and he was very appreciative. He even mailed me a book plate to put in the front of the book. It is nice to have such a talented author take the time to respond to his fans.
You gotta Love Enzo!!!:
This is one of the best books I have ever read. I passed mine on to 5 different people who all fell in love with Enzo the Dog in the book. You will laugh and you will cry but one thing is for sure....you will never look at your dog the same way again!!!!
One of the best books I have ever read!:
I could not put this book down! It captures you from the very first chapter and doesn't let go! The book is written so well that I started to look at my own dog in a different way. It makes you wonder just how much our dogs can understand us. This is an amazing book that any dog lover will enjoy.
Beautiful, sad, poignant, a bit unbelievable:
The Art of Racing in the Rain is the purported tale of a dog watching his master Denny grow up. Denny marries Eve and they eventually have Zoe. The dog watches this, sad that he cannot communicate his love, trust, and observations of life to those around him. A malformed mouth and lack of opposable thumbs doom him, he supposes. His master is a racecar driver (among other talents), and the dog and master love watching racing movies together. Trust, abandonment, renewal, redemption - life is all about that.... more info
