The Art of Racing in the Rain Barnes and Noble

Art of Racing in the Rain (Stein)

The Art of Racing in the Rain
Garth Stein, 2008
HarperCollins
336 pp.
ISBN-13: 9780061537967

Summary
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 past watching television extensively, and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race automobile 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 rails, i 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'south married woman; the 3-yr boxing over their daughter, Zoe, whose maternal grandparents pulled every string to gain custody. In the terminate, 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 get a racing champion with Zoe at his side. Having learned what information technology takes to exist a compassionate and successful person, the wise canine can barely wait until his next lifetime, when he is sure he will return as a homo.

A heart-wrenching simply deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family unit, dear, loyalty, and promise, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a beautifully crafted and captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life...as just a canis familiaris could tell it. (From the publisher.)

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Author Bio
• Nascence—1960
• Where—Los Angelos, California, USA
• Reared—Seattle, Washington
• Pedagogy—B.A., M.F.A., Columbia University
• Currently—lives in Seattle, Washington

Garth Stein, a former documentary motion picture maker, was co-producer of the Academy Award-winning brusk film, The Lunch Date, and director of When Your Head's Non a Head, It's a Nut. He is the author of three novels, How Evan Bankrupt His Head and Other Secrets, Raven Stole the Moon, and The Art of Racing in the Pelting , and a play, Brother Jones. He lives in Seattle with his family. (From the publisher.)

Extras
From a 2008 Barnes & Noble interview:

I've climbed Mt. Rainier
I've explored the deepest cave in North America
I've acted with Carol Channing
I've ridden my bike to Alaska
I've met Bill Clinton
I've played basketball with Slick Watts
I've bathed in the Dead Bounding main, piloted a boat in the Suez Canal
I've paddled an outrigger in the Java Ocean
I've fathered three sons whom I love very, very much.

What book nigh inspired his life as a author?

Histrion Prepares by Constantin Stanislavski. Actors must make clear and definite decisions at every turn nearly a character's intention, desires, and needs. A writer must assume the role of each actor in the story. A writer must know everything near every character in his writing. There are no accidents in fiction. Studying interim—especially this book—has greatly enhanced my writing. (From Barnes & Noble.)

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Book Reviews
If you've ever wondered what your dog is thinking, Stein'south tertiary novel offers an respond. Enzo is a lab terrier mix plucked from a subcontract outside Seattle to ride shotgun with race car commuter Denny Swift every bit he pursues success on the track and off. Denny meets and marries Eve, has a daughter, Zoe, and risks his savings and his life to make it on the professional racing circuit. Enzo, frustrated past his inability to speak and his lack of opposable thumbs, watches Denny's erstwhile racing videos, coins koanlike aphorisms that apply to both driving and life, and hopes for the twenty-four hours when his life every bit a dog will be over and he tin can exist reborn a man. When Denny hits an extended rough patch, Enzo remains his virtually steadfast if silent supporter. Enzo is a reliable companion and a likable plenty narrator, though the string of Denny's bad luck stories strains believability. Much like Denny, however, Stein is able to salve some dignity from the over-the-top drama.
Publishers Weekly

Enzo narrates his life story, beginning with his impending death. Enzo's not afraid of dying, every bit he'south seen a television documentary on the Mongolian belief that a good dog will reincarnate as a homo. Yes, Enzo is a domestic dog. And he belongs to Denny: hubby, father, customer service technician. Denny's dream is to be a professional race-car driver, and Enzo recounts the triumphs and tragedies—medical, financial, and legal—they share in this quest, the dangers of the racetrack being the to the lowest degree of their obstacles. Enzo ultimately teaches Denny and the reader that persistence and joie de vivre will come across them through to the checky flag. Stein (Raven Stole the Moon) creates a patient, wise, and doggish narrator that is more than just fluff and collar. This should entreatment to fans of both dogs and motorcar racing; recommended for public libraries.
Library Periodical

Stein uses a canis familiaris equally narrator to clever effect in this tear-jerker about an aspiring race-auto driver who suffers more woes than Job but never mistreats his dog. Lab mix Enzo believes he is different from other dogs, that he has a human soul in a domestic dog body. Enzo is frustrated that he tin can employ but "gestures" to communicate with his dear possessor Denny. Denny works in a Seattle motorcar-repair store to earn money to race. Enzo watches racing channels on TV, soaking upwardly facts and lore. Domestic dog and human being are happy in their bachelor Eden. Enter Eve. She and Enzo are wary at first. Then she goes into labor while Denny's abroad racing and she keeps Enzo beside her. Enzo adores the baby, Zoe, simply he before long smells that something is off with Eve. By the fourth dimension Zoe is a toddler, Eve has increasingly bad headaches simply refuses to encounter a doctor until it'due south besides late. Now come the travails. During Eve'southward painful, lingering expiry, her parents, who have never approved of Denny, loom increasingly big. When Eve dies, they sue for permanent custody of Zoe. Their case is weak until Denny is charged with rape: After a reunion of Eve'south family shortly before her death, Denny gave a ride dwelling to Eve's 15-yr-old cousin, who attempted to seduce him; he rebuffed her but Enzo was the but witness. Eve's evil parents are behind the trumped-upwardly charges. Noble Denny keeps fighting for Zoe, living by his mantra, "That which you manifest is before y'all." When he almost buckles, Enzo provides some rather unique assistance. Pointedly inspirational.
Kirkus Reviews

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Discussion Questions
1. Some early on readers of the novel have observed that viewing the world through a dog's eyes makes for a greater appreciation of beingness human. Why exercise yous retrieve this is?

2. Enzo'southward observations throughout the novel provide insight into his world view. For instance:

—"The visible becomes inevitable."
—"Agreement the truth is simple. Allowing oneself to experience information technology, is often terrifically difficult."
—"No race has ever been won in the commencement corner; many races have been lost there."

How does his philosophy utilize to real life?

3. In the book'due south darkest moments, one of Zoe'southward stuffed animals—the zebra—comes to life and threatens him. What does the zebra symbolize?

4. Tin you imagine the novel being told from Denny'due south bespeak of view? How would it make the story different?

v. In the showtime chapter, Enzo says: "It'southward what's inside that's important. The soul. And my soul is very human." How does Enzo'due south state of affairs—a human soul trapped in a domestic dog's trunk—influence his opinions about what he sees around him? How practise you experience about the ideas of reincarnation and karma as Enzo defines them?

6. Do you lot discover yourself looking at your own domestic dog differently after reading this novel?

7. In the volume, we become glimpses into the mindset and mentality of a race car commuter. What parallels can you think of between the art of racing and the art of living?

8. The character of Ayrton Senna, as he is presented in the book, is heroic, almost a mythic effigy. Why practice you think this character resonates so strongly for Denny?
(Questions issued by publisher.)

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