(6) The Art of Racing in the Rain

Title: The Art of Racing in the Rain: A Novel by Garth Stein
Publisher: Harper Perennial
336 pages
Genre: Fiction

Synopsis: Enzo is a lab terrier mix plucked from a farm outside Seattle to ride shotgun with race car driver Denny Swift as he pursues success on the track and off. Denny meets and marries Eve, has a daughter, Zoë, and risks his savings and his life to make it on the professional racing circuit. Enzo, frustrated by his inability to speak and his lack of opposable thumbs, watches Denny's old racing videos, coins aphorisms that apply to both driving and life, and hopes for the day when his life as a dog will be over and he can be reborn a man. When Denny hits an extended rough patch, Enzo remains his most steadfast if silent supporter.

Review: I think I'm the last person I know who hadn't read this book and I thought it was fabulous, I'm not sure what took me so long to pick it up.  A touching story told by the dog's perspective on his life and that of his owners.  Enzo loves racing, watching television and going for runs and in between he becomes very philosophical about life. As his owners go through hard times Enzo is there to comfort them and gets frustrated by his lack of ability to communicate but I think he does a fair job of getting his point across.

Enzo uses racing metaphors are guides for life. Your car goes where your eye leads you, we are all extensions of everything, where you focus your energy is what happens in your life, don't hold on too tight, relax and enjoy the moment... how true all of this is and what a great way to get people to hear it.  Enzo is my hero.

This is a story that will stick with me for quite some time.  It also makes me look at my own dogs and wonder what they have going on in their heads. If you are a dog lover, owner or just love animals this story touches the heart.  Its beautiful, heart wrenching and powerful.

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