The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Art of Racing in the Rain
Book Review: Urinating dog!!
Summary: 2 Stars
I read a few pages of this and left it at that. I do not want to read what an incontinent dog thinks. For a better attempt at doggie psychology read Louis De Bernieres' Red Dog which is brilliant. Book Review: Quick Review!
Summary: 4 Stars
Garth Stein's novel 'The Art Of racing In The Rain' is exactly as the majority of reviews here claim: funny, touching, sad, heart-warming, and thankfully brief. There isn't much esle to say about the book: these are all reasons to recommend it. Any reader who feels this book may not be for them should reconsider as there is something here for everyone, and Stein's easy going and free flowing style ensures that the pages flutter by quickly. For what may sound like a tough read: a dying dog relates his life to us, including the death of his master's wife, the book is full of light moments, largely involving the antics of Enzo, our storyteller- the dog who wishes he was human.
Enzo has lived with his master Denny most of his life. As the story begins, Enzo has accepted that he is ready to die. Thanks too many hours and days watching TV though, he believes that his purpose in this body has been served and that his soul can move on to a new body, and a new life. He then describes his life and loves- watching TV alone while Denny is at work, and particularly watching car races with Denny. Denny is a struggling racer, an expert who needs a break in life, a chance to prove his racing ability. Through all of this Enzo has learnt a great deal about racing, and about human nature. He shares his thoughts on life and using metaphors from the race-track; he shares his thoughts on human nature with a wry humour and desperation from the futile inhabiting of a dog's body.
Enzo's life with Denny is as happy as it could possibly be. Then Denny meets and marries Eve. As expected, he doesn't appreciate sharing Denny's affections. He is however a dog, a good dog, and knows his place. Their family grows again with the birth of Zoe, who Enzo becomes infatuated with, and becomes protector of. The story takes a darker turn though, as Eve becomes sick, and the family starts to fall apart. Tragic though it may be, this event is necessary as 300 pages of witty dog observations would wear thin quickly. This gives the story a boost and helps the reader feel there is a purpose to it all. However, the following section of the book slows down with the involvement of Eve's parents, and the accusations aimed at Denny. This i feel is the main negative aspect of the book. These events feel too dragged out when we want Denny to be happy. Along with the ending which feels almost dreamlike, and certain passages which shift from narrative to thought, the book isn't perfect. There are enough funny moments and enough hope in the darkness to make this one of the best books of the year.
Book Review: This is no Fluke
Summary: 4 Stars
What an entertaining, heart warming, funny and emotional rollercoaster of a read. I was dubious... I was thinking 'Oh, another Fluke...'. How wrong I was.
The writing is excellent. The decriptions and visual painting is sublime.
I hesitate to re-write yet another synopsis - I simply say buy this book. Great holiday reading and one which I will happily read a few times and always find something new. The dog's perceptions and dialogue are a joy to read: very real and quite disturbing in a nice way. You'll find yourself laughing out loud whilst sobbing into the pages - thoroughly enjoyable!
Book Review: An average book lifted by some novel touches
Summary: 3 Stars
This book tells the story of Denny Swift, his wife and daughter through the eyes of their dog, Enzo. Enzo is about to die, and is reviewing his life story, and remembering the events his owner and loved ones have endured over the last 10/15 years.
It's made pretty clear in the first chapter that Denny and family will (eventually) have a happy ending, and this unfortunately robs the book of any suspense. There is, however, one shocking development that had me pause for thought, so it's not completely obvious.
The plot line is barely lifted above the level of TV movie of the week on the Hallmark Channel, but what saves the book is the characterisation of Enzo, and Enzo's point of view. Enzo is exactly what one would expect of a loyal dog, and a great narrator. Enzo's charm carries the book through its mundane plotting and makes up for the fact that all the characters bar Denny, his wife, and his daughter suffer from weak characterisation.
Coincidentally, Denny is a racing driver, and it's obvious Mr. Stein has a love of Formula One. The sections describing F1 show great knowledge and passion regarding the subject, and make Enzo even more believable, but seem oddly placed within the rest of the story. It does, however, allow for a very touching moment after Enzo's death.
This book is neither brilliantly good nor offensively bad, but Enzo and his characterization lifts it just above the level of decidedly average. Buy it in paperback to read in 45 minutes on a bus or plane journey.
Book Review: Good holiday reading.
Summary: 3 Stars
A lighthearted book with a novel perspective but which fails to really grab me. I won't bore you with another synopsis but I will say that although I did not really get into this book, I can see exactly how and why it would appeal to others and I think it has potential to do really well in terms of popularity.