The Art of Racing in the Rain (Book Review)

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein


How can a dog lover do a fair review of this book?

This is hard to do with this book. I believe the ratings of this book will be based on whether or not the rater is an animal lover or not. That being said I will try to give a fair review.

Quick Synopsis from GoodReads:

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 racetrack, one can successfully navigate all of life's ordeals.


Review:

I really enjoyed this book. The dog as a narrator took some getting used too; however, the author does a great job to remind the reader that it is a dog narrating and not a human.

The book will tug at your emotions. This book is full of trouble and heartache. So if you are a very sentimental person, be prepared to shed some tears. The book is not all sad, there are parts of this book that will laughing out loud.

 It seems that nothing goes right for “Denny.” There are times in the book where you will find yourself yelling at the book to warn Denny not to put himself in some situations. When a book could do that to you, you know it is a good book.

The chapters are small and the books flow is fast so reading through this book is a snap. It is a short read so you can actually read this book in a couple of hours. It is a great weekend book.
I recommend this book to not just dog lovers but readers alike.

Character development :

The author does a great job in character development.  Each character has his or her own unique style and personality, including the dog Enzo. You cannot help but to empathize with Denny. You will get angry with the antagonists in the book however, you will understand why they do what they do.

Plot:

The books plot takes many turns (no pun intended). The books plot is predictable. Nevertheless, you will continue reading to see what happens next. Its interesting to see how Denny reacts to the situations at hand.

The story has a unique was to compare life to racing. I enjoyed that because it sometimes takes you away from the story to think about what was just written.

My favorite quote:
"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."
It is a very well written story.

4 out of 5 Shots

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