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What are readers saying about The Art of Racing in the Rain: A Novel?
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-07-30 11:26:40.
(Language: English)
  
I had a tear in my eye reading the first few pages as Enzo contemplated his own mortality and his spiritual future. paragraph By the end, I was in full-blown cry-mode. However, along the way I felt Enzo's frustration at being unable to communicate what he knows. I almost stood up and saluted him when he "took one for the team" by eating that pepper (DID actually laugh out loud). And wanted to be there with him in those last few moments as he took control of his own destiny. paragraph As cheesy and cliche as it is to say this: I look at my own dogs differently now and wonder just how much they know (my lab is incredibly intuitive and responsive to my moods) and what their own futures hold for them -- what kind of people will they be in their next lives (and I wonder what kind of dog I might have been in my own previous life). 
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-09-29 08:41:20.
(Language: English)
Review for “The Art of Racing in the Rain” by Garth Stein: I don't particularly like dogs and I am not interested in race cars. That having been said, I found this book very enjoyable. Enzo as philosopher was done well. This was a device that could have disintegrated into comedy, but did not. The blending of the philosophy of life with the philosophy of racing skill/art worked well. This is a novel that appeals because it is a novel about love...not a novel about dogs or racing. Usually, I don’t read the reviews that are on the fly leaf or at the beginning of a book. Because, usually, I find that they are useless. This time, however, I went back and read them. They were spot on when describing this book. This is a book that I will read again. I rate this novel as 9 out of 10.
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Suzanne posted a review at 2010-03-23 03:47:53.
(Language: English)
I received this book as a gift from my sister. She warned me it was sad, so I kept putting off reading it, but there I was on a cruise with only this left as an unread book from the stash I brought along. I found it a very quick read and sad, but not devastatingly so---perhaps because I had decided I would need a box of tissues by my side. Instead, it produced only a few sniffles. This would be an enjoyable book for an unlikely group of readers consisting of dog people, mothers and NASCAR enthusiasts. It will also do well if and when it ends up at a movie theater near you.
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Wendy posted a review at 2009-09-13 07:14:43.
(Language: English)
I knew I would love this book from the first time I read about it but I was blown away by it. Enzo is an acute observer, a deep thinker and a compassionate soul. The fact that he is a dog presents some problems for him but by and large he lives his life to the fullest. He knows from a TV program that dogs can be reincarnated as humans and this is what he holds on to while reviewing his life with Denny, the race car driver. Denny and Enzo had their share of trials and tribulations; in fact, they had more than their fair share but with love and perseverence they met and overcame them. Recommended for dog lovers and everyone else.
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Pam posted a review at 2010-11-09 04:35:24.
(Language: English)
This was an inspirational, as well as educational, book. Arija Rinpoche was the leader of the Kumbum Monestary in Tibet before/after the Chineese went in and took over Tibet. The Buddist Monk life style versus the secular Communist re-education in the 1950/1960s is amazing. The harshness of the Communist revolution and the work farms were staggeringly bleak. If that's not enough, over time, Arija Rimpoche also held offices within the Communists government when they started to ease up on religion. Then there is his flight from Tibet/China to the USA. Amazing. This man and his companions are true inspirations. You can over come everything if you try. Last thing, interesting parellel if you have seen Light at the Edge of the World... The Kumbum Monestary is highlighted on this National Geographic documentary on Buddhism.
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Kim posted a review at 2011-08-28 12:08:53.
(Language: English)
First, I love dogs. I do. And sometimes I even love books about dogs. Sometimes. I had great hopes for this overwhelmingly beloved (if reviews are to be believed) book told from the viewpoint of a dog owned and loved by Denny, a racecar driver with luck so bad it must be fictional. This book was twee, overwrought and painful at times. RAYOR (read at your own risk).
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Linda posted a review at 2010-01-07 10:28:55.
(Language: English)
Car racing as a metaphor for life is the theme of this beautiful story told in the first person by a dog named Enzo. Much of the philosophy is like what we've been taught at Unity Church: We are the creators of our own destiny. You are responsible for what you are and what you have done. Live in the moment. Your car goes where your eyes go (or as we say at church "What's held in mind produces in kind.") While struggling with his lack of an opposable thumb and a tongue that won't let him form words, Enzo reflects sensitively on the career and family problems of his owner, a professional race car driver. This is truly an excellent novel both for its plot and for Enzo's personality and philosophy.
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A Reader posted a review at 2013-01-23 12:09:13.
(Language: English)
Sometimes when my dog looks at me, I wonder if he thinks like Enzo. But I think he's probably a dolt
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A Reader posted a review at 2011-12-04 04:47:53.
(Language: English)
Great read! Written from the perspective of a dog. At first I was skeptical, but I found myself involved very quickly. My one complaint is that this seemed more like a book written from the perspective of a dog as understood from the perspective of a human, rather than REALLY from the perspective of a dog, if that makes any sense. It could have been just a touch more real. My friends who like Formula One racing will like this book.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-06-21 03:26:50.
(Language: English)
We read this book for our June book club. I had some doubts and thought it may be corny and although I like dogs, I am not what you would call "a dog lover". I liked Garth Stein's writing style - it was simple, amusing and at times poignant. I was surprised at the ending. Enzo wanted to be human, thought he deserved to be human, but could see that putting off short term gain for the long term gain was definitely difficult and not at all dog like. I loved how he lived up to both his dog and human potentials. I laughed out loud at many parts but I think I enjoyed the zebra incidents the most. Loved the book.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-11-18 08:21:39.
(Language: English)
This was the October ’09 book for our book club, and most liked it—especially those who are dog owners! What we have here is a “gimmick” according to C.J. (and of course, he’s right): the narrator is a dog. His name is Enzo, and he is telling his story at the end of his life from his days as a puppy when his owner Denny bought and rescued him and through Denny’s courtship, marriage, fatherhood, and then the death of his wife from brain cancer and the ensuing fight with his in-laws over guardianship of his daughter. Enzo thinks very much like a human, and he believes that he’ll be reincarnated as a human after he dies. Denny is a race car driver who is especially skilled at racing in the rain, and Enzo loves all things connected with racing. He even judges movies partly by how the actors are connected to racecar driving. The philosophy repeated over and over in various ways is that we end up where we’re looking. But this makes the book too easy to deconstruct since Denny’s wife Eve refuses to go to the doctor until it is much too late. She looks toward simple explanations for her symptoms but does not end up healthy. The ending was too over the top for most of us. It’s an O.K. book, and the last quarter of it got more interesting, but I certainly would not call it a must-read.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-05-13 09:00:06.
(Language: English)
This well-crafted novel by Garth Stein covers familiar territory—love and loss, betrayal and redemption—but mostly it’s a rather unconventional relationship story. If you hear the story’s narrator is a dog named Enzo, please don’t run for the hills. It’s unconventional…and it’s the most compelling part of the story. The dog is loyal and wise. He is discerning about who is trustworthy and who is not. He is protective of racecar driver Denny, and Denny’s wife and daughter. Don’t let the thread of automobile racing put you off if you’re not a Formula 1 or NASCAR fan. The racing provides an interesting metaphor for navigating life’s twists and turns and it’s not overused. I admit I was skeptical going in, but The Art of Racing in the Rain was recommended by readers I trust and they did not lead me astray. I knew from the first page that I would love this book. At the same time I was afraid that it might be painful. It is, but it’s worth it. The Art of Racing in the Rain ultimately is more heartwarming than heart wrenching, but go fetch a few tissues just in case.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-11-23 07:06:53.
(Language: English)
Yes, its true another dog book, but not at all like “Marley and Me” which is what I expected. This book is about life, love and friendship (of course it is, its about a dog’s life). I guess I had no idea what to expect and I was splendidly surprised. Of course like any book about an animal and my emotions rolled, and I cried. Here are two of my favorite passages. “The true hero is flawed. The true test of a champion is not whether he can triumph, but whether he can overcome obstacles-preferably of his own making-in order to triumph. A hero without a flaw is of no interest to an audience or to the universe, which, after all is based on conflict and opposition, the irresistible force meeting the unmovable object.” “Inside each of us resides the truth, I began, the absolute truth. But sometimes the truth is hidden in a hall of mirrors. Sometimes we believe we are viewing the real thing, when in fact we are viewing a facsimile, a distortion.” The story is written in the voice of the dog Enzo, of the life he shares with his humans Denny, Eve and Zoe their daughter. There is a documentary on the belief of Mongolians, that dogs when they die they are reincarnated into the humans, and they are closer in fact to humans that monkeys which are dumb. What a waste of an opposable thumb.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-05-28 05:36:33.
(Language: English)
An utterly gorgeous book in its language and philosophies. Other reviews have said this book belongs on your shelf beside "Life of Pi" - and they couldn't be more right. A touching and simultaneously heartwrenching story that is as much about the shattering evils of the world as much as it is about the satisfaction of the joys. My only complaint is that when I would be unable to put the book down, dying to know what would happen next, I would be interrupted by a chapter about, well, racing cars in the rain. And while these chapters serve as enlightening metaphors and are beautifully written, I found myself skipping over much of them because the suspense to move on in the plot was too great. Still, if you have a little patience with them, you will be greatly rewarded.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-06-08 09:20:12.
(Language: English)
I'm biased. I love dogs. And reading the thoughts of this dog was fantastically entertaining to me. I have to admit that I didn't care for parts of the story line, but who can really say they like all aspects of reality. A well written novel that helps one to remember that life is a race - you might not always win, but you have to keep strong when going through the hard turns to have a chance of finishing. Now I just wonder what my dog is thinking....
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-12-01 05:58:31.
(Language: English)
Not a bad book.. I am not usually into books about animals or race car driving. Considering these two things, however, the book was written well enough to keep my interest. I read it for a book club meeting. I read most of it, and then listened to the audio version of the book towards the last 1/4th of the book. I wish I had listened to it all together instead of reading it. The audio of this book is done very well, and the narrator is excellent. The author does a fine job of showing the reader what matters most in life, and really emphasizes on how important it is to not give up even when times are at their worst. Definitely a good book if you are looking for some inspiration.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-07-20 02:15:51.
(Language: English)
Enzo is a dog who dreams that he will be a man some day. Enzo is a dog who loves auto racing and his Swift family. Enzo soon sees the beauty of Man and the ugliness that can engulf Man. He is loyal companion to Denny Swift an aspiring race car driver and protector of Zoe, his daughter, and supportor of Denny's wife Eve as she battles for her life. Enzo brings deep insight into this sotry as he tells it from his dog point of view. He can make you laugh or make you cry and in the end you wish that there were more Enzo adventures. But this is his story of his family and once you start reading the first page, you might not put it down until the last. Enzo is more than a dog in this well written book, he is the better part of ourselves. Garth STein has written a modern classic and I hope everyone who loves dogs, auto racing, or a book that can touch your very soul, will pick this book up, take it home and rejoice in the richness that leaps from the pages while it deals with some very all too real subject matter. Paws up to Enzo and Stien.
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Rebecca posted a review at 2009-11-15 07:00:45.
(Language: English)
A very, very sweet - and surprisingly philosophical - novel. The Art of Racing the Rain is full of many life lessons about love, family and determination all from the perspective of a dog. Enzo thinks, feels and philosophizes like a human being even like a true poet. At times I would have preferred a bit more "dog" in Enzo. There are many instances when he ceases to be a dog and almost transforms into a human, but Stein gives his characters enough humorous doggie antics to still keep Enzo in perspective. This book has a lot of heart and a lot of good advice about the power of perspective: visualize and run the race. You can't win the race unless you run it.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-08-12 03:41:35.
(Language: English)
WOW! After Marley and Me I seen this through an Amazon pick and thought...from the dogs perspective...really, I don't think so. Well let me just say I adored this book! I will place it on the top shelf for all time. Very well written with sophisticated, deep emotion and love. Can't speak highly enough about Garth Stein, he has a unique quality to his writing and I can't wait to read all of his books. Enzo the dog is amazingly wonderful! Denny Enzo's master,is an incredible man and he left me feeling very hopeful with a fresh insight on how to live my life! They were a match made in heaven, Fantastic!!!
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-10-03 10:33:50.
(Language: English)
This is a very touching novel written from the "dogs-eye view" abput Enzo, a dog and his master, Denny. Denny is a race car aficionado, and often drives in races. He becomes famous for his art of being able to race on rainy, wet tracks. Denny's life, and all it's very loving, touching life events (his marriage, having a child, wife's sickness and eventual death is described by Enzo as it affects him, and how Enzo feels it affects Denny. I won't ruin the ending, but if you are a dog lover, you will be very touched and perhaps be reduced to tears. I recommend it as a good read.
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A Reader posted a review at 2011-09-30 10:00:24.
(Language: English)
Could not, i repeat, could not put this book down. My whole day went on hold and the bedside lamp was not shut off until the very last page. I went to sleep with a feeling of regret that I had gobbled this novel up so quickly !! An easy read and a beautiful story told through the eyes of Enzo, the family dog. I won't forget Enzo ever.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-10-10 09:32:38.
(Language: English)
Hv u ever thought what ur pet or a stray dog may think of u or ur actions??? Not yet...then read this commentry by Enzo- The Dog wow... what a book...action packed...fully entertaining story of Enzo- The Family Dog...who loves racing and even watching the discovery channel.... his understanding of human and nature as a whole is fantastic...its a story how he becomes a connecting single wire which keeps the family intact in the time of adversity... truely as is shown.. "YOUR CAR GOES WHERE YOUR EYES GO.."
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A Reader posted a review at 2011-03-04 10:46:09.
(Language: English)
Just finished re-reading this book. Didn't cry quite as much as the first time around, but it still had the power to move me to tears. Such a great story, and so well written. I love the juxtaposition between the racing metaphors and the story of Enzo and Denny. Nicely balanced. The pace of this book is masterful. The philosophy is brilliant. The tension of the story is beautifully countered by the bits of comic relief. If you have ever loved a dog, I think you would love this novel. Highly recommended.
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Lisa posted a review at 2010-05-08 07:26:20.
(Language: English)
This book was excellent. It centered around the metaphor "racing in the rain". We all race in the rain, meaning going through life in imperfect conditions much like a racecar driver in the rain. Its about embracing those times, realizing we can get through those and even enjoying them. Its about preparing for those times, and knowing exactly how/what we can do to make our race successful. This book is about the friendship between a human and our beloved 4 legged freind. Its written in a dogs point of a veiw, and shows the kindness of our loving animal to his owner. It will make you go give an extra hug to your sweet little creature at home and adore him/her more every day. Read it, embrace it, enjoy it! I loved it.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-07-22 10:48:38.
(Language: English)
[Pedro's review]:This is one of my new favorite books. I had never read a book narrated by a dog. Garth Stein was clever in writing the book from a dog’s perspective. The book is the narration of the dog’s owner’s life as understood by the dog. Enzo, the dog, seemed more of a human with dog characteristics than vice versa. The book is very humorous, yet sad. It is a pleasure to read for enjoyment and to learn from its anecdotes and proverbs. Here are some of my favorites: Man’s closest relative is not the monkey but the dog. Why else would a man turn into a werewolf on a full moon and not a monkey? "Be it through intention or ignorance, our successes and our failures have been brought on by none other than ourselves" “That with you manifest is before you.” and “The car goes where the eyes go”. Isn’t it true that what happens in our lives is mostly what we focus on? “A racer should not be afraid of the rain. A racer should embrace the rain.” I interpret this as not avoiding trials and difficulties, rather welcoming them and accepting them as part of life. “We are all afforded our physical existence so we can learn about ourselves”. And, most importantly, never give up! As one of my friends commented about her experience reading the book, I did not want the book to end. I enjoyed reading the story and gaining new perspectives on life and overcoming difficulties. I recommend this book to anyone facing difficulties in life.
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