The Art of Racing in the Rain

A story told from a dog's perspective - how could this book not be intriguing.  Enzo, the dog and also the narrator, is amazing.  He is telling his family's story as he understands it.  For a dog, a dog that enjoys learning from the television, Enzo is brilliant.  His goal in life is to come back as a human because he sees the fact that not being able to talk or have opposable thumbs as unfair.  


Enzo's owner is Denny, a race car driver who is very good at racing in the rain.  This idea, and the reason for the title, takes on symbolic meaning.  The Swift Family has seen its share of struggles and its all about maneuvering oneself through the difficult times, much like a race car driver has to when the track gets slick from rain.  Denny is an inspiration, of course with the help of Enzo he is able to tackle the obstacles placed in front of him.  


I had read another Garth Stein novel before I could get my hands on this one and enjoyed both.  They are very different from one another,  well of course since this one was from the perspective of a dog.  "The Art of Racing in the Rain" is witty and sweet.  I cried three times in the novel (the normal reader would probably cry once).  The only thing I could have been without is the constant discussion of race car driving.  The novel is a quick and fairly light read, and especially interesting if you are a dog owner.  


Toni :)