Book Review: The Art of Racing in the Rain

The Art of Racing in the Rain

by Garth Stein

Get the tissues. This book is a tear-jerker, from the starting line!

Told from a dog’s perspective, on the eve of his death, The Art of Racing in the Rain spans one family’s lifetime. From the time Enzo, as a puppy, first goes home with Denny, up until the tale comes full circle returning to the opening sentence, on, as I mentioned, the eve of Enzo’s passing. The tale chronicle’s a typical family’s life, from marriage to birth, in sickness and health, times of joy and times of sorrow… Every page threatening to bring the same tears, which surfaced during the first sentence on page 1, spilling over the eyelids. Even Enzo’s thoughts on living with hip dysplasia (a thing which my heart and household have both experienced recently) were emotional to read.

It’s always entertaining to read a book told in the perspective of what might go on in a dog’s head, always touching to read a tale about a dog’s love for his family.

The reader also learns quite a bit about the sport of auto racing, and the author does a great job of weaving the skills required of such an activity into a story all about how to survive life’s twists and turns.

Of course, it helps if one has a faithful canine companion to lean on, and seek support and comfort from, too. Enzo is that dog, doing his best to help Denny navigate through the delicate matter of his wife’s illness, his daughter’s absence, his cruel in-laws…

And, like every good and faithful dog, in the end, Enzo goes to his reward- but not like you’d expect!

This one is definitely worth the sad parts and the tears! Read it! You won’t be sorry you did!

Jennifer Casula spent the fall of 2012 fostering a litter of four Australian Cattle Dog mix puppies for Texas Cattle Dog Rescue.They gave everyone kennel cough, but they also provided lots of laughs