Book Review: The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

(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. On the eve of his death, Enzo takes stock of his life, recalling all that he and his family have been through.

First of all...how dare?? These are the words I thought to myself as I wiped the tears from my cheeks after I read the last page. I was on the bus home. I didn't expect to like this book as much as I did. I think it's the pessimistic side of me that keeps thinking that every time I pick up a book.

The Art of Racing in the Rain was the second book that I got alongside The Wasp Factory from my first month's BooksFree.com subscription. My mind honestly felt exhausted after The Wasp Factory and I thought I would give it a couple of days before I tackled Garth Stein's 2008 novel. Still, I was curious so I thought 'hm, just the first page!' a few minutes before I got off work. And I ended up reading the first 60 by the time I got home. YES, it's a long commute, but I risked getting car sick (bus sick?) to keep reading, and I think that says a lot.

If you didn't know already, The Art of Racing in the Rain (TAORITR?) is told from the first person point of view of a dog named Enzo. First, let me say that the cover is very deceiving because I imagined Enzo as a golden retriever throughout the novel despite him stating his breed as otherwise. Although I didn't feel an immediate connection with Enzo, I can't pinpoint the moment when I started having an emotional connection with him. It definitely creeped up on me, to the point where I thought of Enzo as a good friend of mine instead of a dog telling me a story about the lives around him.

I personally connected with Enzo's inability to elaborately communicate with those around him. Obviously, he's a dog and can't speak but Garth Stein made his frustrations very relatable. Enzo finds himself in many situations where things could have changed had he been able to speak up and even to this day I find myself in those kinds of situations.

The only time my eyes would gloss over were during the elaborate descriptions of racing. Now, this wasn't 100% of the time, because I did find it interesting to learn about racing techniques and rules and Ferrari's but...unless it's presented to me in Disney version and Lightning McQueen, it's very hard for me to feel a connection or feel passionate about the racing world.

I would recommend this book to anyone even if they have no interest in dogs or racing. It grabs you unexpectedly and you find yourself in Enzo's place, rooting for the underdog.

Memorable Quote, Enzo on loneliness:

"Did he despair? Did he silently berate himself for allowing himself to be in that situation? Or did he finally realize what it is like to be me, to be a dog? Did he understand, as those interminable minutes ticked by, that being alone is not the same as being lonely? That being alone is a neutral state; it is like a blind fish at the bottom of the ocean: without eyes, and therefore without judgement. Is it possible? That which is around me does not affect my mood; my mood affects that which is around me. Is it true? Could Denny have possibly appreciated the subjective nature of loneliness, which is something that exists only in the mind, not in the world, and , like a virus, is unable to survive without a willing host?" (198)