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Binding: HardcoverDewey Decimal Number: 813.54 EAN: 9780061537936 ISBN: 0061537934 Label: Harper Manufacturer: Harper Number Of Items: 1 Number Of Pages: 336 Publication Date: May 01, 2008 Publisher: Harper Release Date: May 13, 2008 Studio: Harper Editorial Review: Product Description: 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. Average Rating:
 Rating:  - This pup's in the fast lane.I love fiction like this. Fiction that is this well told, with well developed three dimensional characters, and a story that is thoroughly absorbing. The story is told in the first person. The novel twist is that the first "person" is a dog named Enzo. Enzo is an astute observer of his master's life, and has a lot of wisdom to impart, if only someone could hear him. Who knows if dogs really think this deeply, and wax poetic about life's ironies and victories and tragedies? ... Read More Rating: - One Pragmatic PoochEnzo is more pragmatic than most humans. Yet his great desire is to be reborn as a man. Enzo, you see, is a dog. Not just any dog, though. He's a real zen-master of a dog, providing some excellent advice for all--as well as enough laughs and tears to use up a box or so of tissues--throughout this thoroughly enjoyable book by Garth Stein. There are a few places where you'll have to suspend disbelief but, remember, this is a novel and not reality. The gods grant fiction writers ... Read More Rating: - The Art of Racing in the rainI am a dog lover, have three so that kind of proves it, and the fact that this book was narated by the dog "Enzo" locked the sale for me. I was in a small boutique bookstore owned by a friend of a friend in Sun River, Oregon, and wanted to spend some money to help them out. I love to read - really do, but life and work gets in the way and I find it hard to indulge in a good book when my laptop sits so close by buzzing away with the constant chimes of "new mail" coming in. So, I don't read as often as ... Read More Rating: - Like Discovering Gold...What a great book -- not in the sense of masterful literature but, rather, a satisfying "read" with a wonderful message. Check out the review by Jesse Kornbluth for a taste of what the book has in store for you that I wouldn't attempt to recreate. I read it 3 weeks ago during our vacation in Maine. Had occasion to describe it to a new-found friend we just met at dinner one night whom we learned happens to own a Doberman and gave the book to him (I don't want to disclose much about the ending except to say ... Read More Rating: - Even non-dog owners and non-race car fans will love this bookI'm not a dog-owner and I have no interest in race-car driving (or watching), but I still loved this book. Enzo's musings on life apply to all of us. He has some laugh-out-loud comments and moments -- as well as of course many heart-wrenching ones. (In fact, at one reading, I had to put down the book, thinking, "Oh, no, I think I know what's coming and I don't want something bad to happen to these characters I care about!") Enzo gains a lot of insights from watching television. My husband and I don't watch ... Read More |
