I read this when it first came out, and then again around five years ago, but with the release of the movie I knew I wanted to spend a few hours with Enzo once again. The short version? .....Car racing? Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2019. The Art of Racing in the Rain is not just a story about a dog, it is a story of human lives struck with joy, tragedy, failure, success, setbacks and the ultimate triumph over incredible adversity. i listened to the audio version on the way back from my last trip to pittsburgh and, as another reviewer commented, it's a tear jerker. we chose the car (body and life) and even the obstacles (rain, curves, speed) before arriving. I am a sucker for dog books - no matter how many, I read them. You know that guy who comes up to you when you’re having a bad day and says something like, “just think positive thoughts and good things will happen” as if it were really that simple? The novel was a New York Times bestseller for 156 weeks. I haven't given a book less than 2 stars in a very long time because normally I won't finish a book if I'm disliking it that much. Parts just didn't go together: you can't have a really smart dog with ideas on philosophy who then gets confused about. Enzo is a charming and witty narrator. Based off of the very popular book written by Garth Stein, The Art of Racing In The Rain is definitely a family movie that definitely provides plenty of opportunities to talk about: life, death, raising children and changes in family dynamics. It bothered me: the description of Eve's illness, the situation with Annika. And car racing. I would be absolutely shocked if all the members didn't adore this book and its messages. A heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a beautifully crafted and captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life…as only a dog could tell it. Amazon.in - Buy The Art of Racing in the Rain: A Novel book online at best prices in India on Amazon.in. Strike one, it is not only written in a dog’s voice, but the dog narrates the story in retrospect as he nears death. The Art of Racing in the Rain is a 2008 novel by American author Garth Stein —told from a dog's point of view. I was pleasantly surprised to read the cover to find out it is written entirely from the perspective of a dog. Still, many of Enzo’s insights sparked 20-watt light bulb moments for me. uses a dog as narrator to clever effect in this tear-jerker about an aspiring race-car driver who suffers more woes than Job but never mistreats his dog. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is going through a hard time. It's not that I disliked it, per se, but I really resented the way this sappy, anthropomorphic story stomped on every emotion in my body. And I wasn't sure I was getting much out of it in return for getting so unsettled. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein has been reviewed by Focus on the Family’s marriage and parenting magazine. But this was for book club and I felt like I should give the whole book a shot; plus the audiobook was well performed and helped me get through most of it. Home / Books / Book Reviews / Book Review: The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2019. Told by the pup/adult dog, Enzo, we witness a beautiful love story about enzo's unconditional love and loyalty to his master Denny. Just started reading it last night. Summary: Based on the best-selling novel by Garth Stein, THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN is a heartfelt tale narrated by a witty and philosophical dog named Enzo (voiced by Kevin Costner). Adorable and unique; I have always wanted to know what it's like in the mind of a dog. As if the spirit of Karma or whatever is patiently waiting around for you to will happiness upon yourself so that it can be befittingly bestowed? It was emotionally gripping, insightful and written completely from the point of view of a dog as he described his life with his best friend, Denny. You will not be sorry you did! [From Wikipedia]: The novel follows the story of Denny Swift, a race car driver and customer representative in a high-end Seattle auto dealership, and his dog Enzo, who believes in the Mongolian legend that a dog who is prepared will be reincarnated in his next life as a human. I must admit that when a review copy of the novel The Art of Racing in the Rain arrived on my desk, I wasn’t optimistic. Readers will be moved by this warm hug of a story (and may find themselves looking searchingly into the eyes of their own canine companions). Book Review: The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. another reviewer asserted that racing is a metaphor for the lessons we are on this planet to learn. I'm shocked...shocked, by how much I loved this book. Would love to see a movie based on this story. It is touching, inspirational, filled with kindness, understanding and just an absolutely unputdownable work of fiction. Its heartstring-tugging overtures may be difficult for dog lovers to resist, but The Art of Racing in the Rain is sentimental and contrived. I originally read it when it first came out, but let a friend borrow it and she moved away with it:( This is my second copy. Read The Art of Racing in the Rain: A Novel book reviews & author details and more at Amazon.in. Enzo the dog was such a life force to reckon with. ", anyone wanting to reclaim direction and a sense of purpose, this is positively one of the most masterfully simple yet profound novels i have read/heard in years. **Update** So excited to see that this was made into a movie! Such masterful people! May 13th 2008 The compassion and sensitivity of how a dog relates to his master is so well written. Note on May 18--Oh man. I was rather sceptical about The Art of Racing in the Rain. For those of you who have never read this or read about it – Enzo is a dog, albeit with the soul of a human. I bought this a few months after losing my own dog to the old age, and reading abook from a dog's perspective on our lives made me cry! this story is a fascinating study of the human condition as witnessed by Enzo, the dog narrator. Especially when Enzo jumped out the window (my dog did that once!). Enzo, the dog, held on to the belief he would be reborn into life as a human after he died. I am truly sorry that I purchased this piece of trash, and I would really like my money back. If you loved all the "feels" from "Marley and Me," you will love this book. It almost seems like it was made for Plugged In to say, “Hey, what a great family movie. A fantastic and well told story! Tear jerker! Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2018. The Art of Racing in the Rain, the story of DE instructor and aspiring race car driver Denny Swift as told by his dog, Enzo, is an enjoyable read full of driving, racing and life wisdom.The book’s title first caught my attention last Summer, soon after I survived a rain-soaked driver’s education (DE) weekend at Grattan Raceway. Reviewer love dogs101 wrote: I watched the movie about this book and itwas amazing they are so diffrent!!!! I started reading this with great hope, and I was really enjoying it—up to the point of egregious, unnecessary cruelty to the helpless dog. this is positively one of the most masterfully simple yet profound novels i have read/heard in years. , Garth Stein is the author of four novels: the New York Times bestselling gothic/historical/coming-of-age/ghost story, "A Sudden Light"; the internationally bestselling "The Art of Racing in the Rain"; the PNBA Book Award winner, "How Evan Broke His Head and Other Secrets"; and the magically realistic "Raven Stole the Moon." I cried, I laughed, and I learned a lot from Denny and Enzo. Bill Sherman October 1, 2010 3 … He's co-founder of Seattle7Writers.org, a non-profit collective of 74 Northwest authors working together to energize the reading and writing public. It's a perfect read for a rainy afternoon or while laying in bed, the kind of novel that you'll remember long after you've finished. This old soul of a dog has much to teach us about being human. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness. The Art of Racing in the Rain, based on the bestselling book by Garth Stein, has a lot going for it: A strong cast, positive messages, a sweet story and a PG rating—a rare thing indeed these days. And I wasn't sure I was getting much out of it in return for getting so unsettled. I don't think I've ever written a review for a book before but I felt the need to write one for this book because it is now one of my favorite of all time. I was so emotionally invested, I was talking out loud to the book. dog lovers, anyone looking for something a little different, Judging from the other Goodreads reviews and the recommendations of my friends, I seem to be a minority of one in my low estimation of this book. Laughter...happiness...sadness....anger...and even a few tears. The book is extremely readable (I read it in less than a day), and the story captures your attention as well as your heart in the first few pages. When my oldest was 16 I handed the book to her to read, she's a avid reader and was hesitant to ready a book 'her mom recommended', however, she decided to give it a try. If it's not, add it....you won't be disappointed you did. Harper $23.95 (321p) ISBN 978-0-06-153793-6 ... and risks his savings and his life to make it on the professional racing circuit. Although obviously written by a person (or my dog has some explaining to do as I was under the impression that dogs do not have opposable thumbs and can't write), it would be so interesting and heartwarming to read through a dog's perspective. Start by marking “The Art of Racing in the Rain” as Want to Read: Error rating book. I actually feel like starting over and reading it again! 11/2020: This review has been deleted, inline with the idea of "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. Prime members enjoy FREE Delivery and exclusive access to music, movies, TV shows, original audio series, and Kindle books. A Dog‘s Purpose, where the dog dies and is reincarnated five times, has a happy ending-the dog is reunited with his true companion/owner. “The Art of Racing in the Rain,” on the other hand, depends on putting human thoughts in Enzo’s head, while largely ignoring the character’s inherent dog-ness. This story is so much more than I thought it would be. There's a problem loading this menu right now. I will be dragging my husband (and a box of Kleenex) to the movie theatre in August. Garth Stein is the author of four novels: the New York Times bestselling gothic/historical/coming-of-age/ghost story, "A Sudden Light"; the internationally bestselling "The Art of Racing in the Rain"; the PNBA Book Award winner, "How Evan Broke His Head and Other Secrets"; and the magically realistic "Raven Stole the Moon." Such a perfect ending to the story :) read this!!!!! While many books have good or appropriate endings, (regardless of genre) I thought this one had the best or most satisfying one...ever. You can get it all out and no one will ask you what's wrong when they see what you are reading. More than this though, the story itself, about the trials and tribulations of his owner and his family, kept me intrigued and unable to put the book down. Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2017. It also made me appreciate and cherish my relationship with my best friend more than ever. Yeehaw!.....a Zebra is dancing? I was recommending this book to several friends, but I will be reversing that recommendation immediately. If I had to describe what I felt reading this book in one word it would be. Yeah, well fuck. this will at once seize your emotions and provoke more thought than you could ever have predicted. I'm writing this and sobbing! This story is so much more than I thought it would be. THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN is getting all kinds of buzz, and it deserves every accolade. I think the review from Ms. Jodi Picoult describes the book very well: "The Art of Racing in the Rain is the perfect book for anyone who knows that some of our best friends walk beside us on four legs; that compassion isn't only for humans; and that the relationship between two souls who are meant for each other never really comes to an end." I was pleasantly surprised to read the cover to find out it is written entirely from the perspective of a dog. My book club's selection this month. At times, I was near tears. Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2017. I continued to be so as I read, even when I was more than halfway through. It's based on the best-selling novel by Garth Stein and uses racing analogies to explain how to steer through life's most difficult challenges. by Harper Collins. I got this book as a Christmas gift and I finished reading it in less than 24 hours because I couldn't put it down. Review of The Art of Racing in the Rain on RogerEbert.com. A little ambiguous, but it was meant to be that way. I went into this novel not knowing much about it really, only afraid I wouldn't be able to handle it if it was too sad (being the animal lover than I am) and had already started a great classic play I was eager to get into, but after reading two chapters of The Art of Racing in The Rain I knew it would be utterly impossible to put it down...and it was. I didn't think that much of the narration -- the conceit of a dog narrating the story. ", Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2019. Judging from the other Goodreads reviews and the recommendations of my friends, I seem to be a minority of one in my low estimation of this book. this concurs with other authors who believe, in spirit form, we chart a path and body with "masters or guides" prior to life in this plane (see brian weiss, richard webster, and sylvia brown). The Art of Racing in the Rain Critics Consensus. i listened to the audio version on the way back from my last trip to pittsburgh and, as another reviewer commented, it's a tear jerker. I've read thousands of books, yet this is my favorite book ever. Review: Reiterating the plot: based on the best-selling novel by Garth Stein, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a heartwarming tale narrated by a witty and philosophical dog named Enzo (voiced by Kevin Costner). Pay it forward. Summary. When I crashed my car pretty badly–ironically, while racing in the rain–I decided to semi-retire from racing, and now I only race enough to keep my license current. I highly recommend this book to anyone that hasn't read it yet. I love him and he's just a made up character! i boo hoo'ed quite a bit and then raced to the nearest borders to reread the parts of the story that moved me the most. THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN by GARTH STEIN is an inspirational, wonderful, and sad story that had me feeling so many different emotions while listening to this book. When my youngest was 12 she asked to read it, based on how much her sister and I talked about this book. He is also the author of the stage play "Brother Jones." If crying is not high on your agenda, skip this one and move on to something more worthwhile. Directed by Simon Curtis. 2021, I love you already for starting a new year with a book like this. It has all of the elements a book about loss should have — vulnerability, action, change, loss and joy. Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2018. She finished in a week and said, "best book I've ever read...I actually want a copy for myself because I know I'll want to read it again". "You almost forget Enzo is a dog, not a human. Neither rang true. Sadly, no. He sees Denny through the tragic death of his wife, the in-laws trying to take his little girl away, his financial struggles, and then a special person offers Denny a chance at a better life. “There is no dishonor in losing the race. If this is on your agenda to read, don't wait....read it now. He has a dog, he'. A book is a gift that keeps on giving, especially when it inspires a non-bookworm to read more. The Art of Racing in the Rain, review: Kevin Costner voices a golden retriever in boilerplate family drama. I won’t delve too much into the dog’s name, Enzo, here, but at the end of the book you’ll shake your head and ask why author Stein couldn’t have given the readers of The Art of Racing in the Rain a tad more credit. A dog narrator. She read and I got the SAME reaction, 'best book I've read thus far and I want my own copy!". It is touching, inspirational, filled with kindness, understanding and. I loved this book.” It's original and captivating, and I simply adored Enzo (the narrator ... who also happens to be a dog). It's not that I disliked it, per se, but I really resented the way this sappy, anthropomorphic story stomped on every emotion in my body. A). THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN is getting all kinds of buzz, and it deserves every accolade. The Art of Racing in the Rain Garth Stein, Author. by Garth Stein ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 5, 2008. Parts just didn't go together: you can't have a really smart dog with ideas on philosophy who then gets confused about really simple things. Buy Art Of Racing In The Rain 01 by Stein, Garth (ISBN: 9780007281190) from Amazon's Book Store. We’d love your help. To see what your friends thought of this book. Worthwhile read to provoke self-reflection and thought! Enzo is a charming and witty narrator. ... because someone had once done it for him. All of these characters... Denny, Zoe, Enzo, Mike, Eve.. If you need a good cry for some other reason, by all means grab yourself a box of tissues and a copy of this book and go for it. I was a little doubtful I would like this book when I first heard about it. (IMHO). 13,313 global ratings | 9,853 global reviews. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of, Published A ruminative canine reflects on his life, the life of his family and the metaphysics of auto racing. Although obviously written by a person (or my dog has some explaining to do as I was under the impression that d. I was meandering around Borders one Saturday when I saw a dog's head on the cover of a book, and since I am magnetized to animals (especially dogs), I had to pick it up and leaf through it. Can anyone name another book ending to equal or top this one? I know this is coming to movie theaters very soon, but I wanted to read the story for myself. ... you'll see that the movie adheres to about 95% of the plot and definitely captures the sweet essence of the book, but reading the book beforehand isn't mandatory. I loved this book. “The Art of Racing in the Rain” is an emotional story. You can get it all out and no one will ask you what's wrong when they see what you are. I am halfway tempted to dismiss this as a “man’s book.” I don’t feel comfortable doing that however, as 1) I have had way too many women tell me that they. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. What a beautiful work of art. The Art of Racing in the Rain feels like such a jumble of half-formed ideas and grudging creative concessions that I was astonished to learn at the end that it had been adapted from a book… Plot Summary From the first page, readers learn Enzo is an old, ailing dog. through Enzo, this author forced an examination of my sense of purpose...and i am better for having read it. Enzo, a mutt-want-to-be-terrier, narrates the story. It makes you think about your pet's life and their thoughts through gestures. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. Closed Captions [CC] available!In which I share my (spoiler free) thoughts on The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. It bothered me: the description of Eve's illness, the situation with Annika. I had chills and goosebumps! There is only dishonor in not racing because you are afraid to lose.”, “He died that day because his body had served its purpose. Readers will be moved by this warm hug of a story (and may find themselves looking searchingly into the eyes of their own canine companions). THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN. Yet another book I was reading as a preview to see if I should purchase it as a gift. Read The Art of Racing in the Rain reviews from parents on Common Sense Media. His frustration at the limitations he had to deal with as a dog were endearing. Stein ( How Evan Broke His Head and Other Secrets, 2005, etc.) This book is written from the perspective of a dog. this story is a fascinating study of the human condition as witnessed by Enzo, the dog narrator. It was about normal people in trouble emotionally and the dog was believable as a dog, a best friend, and an observer, See all 31 questions about The Art of Racing in the Rain…, July 2019 SPOILER ALERT, The Art of Racing in the Rain, Reading Completed, July 2019 Discussion, The Art of Racing in the Rain, Reading In Progress, the Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein, 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐❤❤❤❤❤, The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein-4 stars, [Poll Book Tally] The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein 3 stars, The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein - 3 stars, 32 Reader-Recommended Books to Inspire Nonreaders. The art of a relationship between two souls, Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2017. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. i boo hoo'ed quite a bit and then raced to the nearest borders to reread the parts of the story that moved me the most. In the end, I set down my Kindle and gave a standing ovation. Top subscription boxes – right to your door, See all details for The Art of Racing in the Rain, © 1996-2021, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. You can still see all customer reviews for the product. I enjoyed how this was told from the dog's point of view. Refresh and try again. Disabling it will result in some disabled or missing features. Laughter...happiness...sadness....anger...and even a few tears. ... A group of uncool teenagers find a book of scary stories that end up coming true. When I first picked up The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein, I was afraid it was going to be another one of those tear-jerking dog stories that all end the same way. If you have yet to read this wonderful novel, do yourself a favor and do so. Other times I wanted to reach into the book and punch one of the characters. I think the review from Ms. Jodi Picoult describes the book very well: A familyfavorite to read....again and again! The Art of Racing in the Rain, 2019. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. But I need to read more fiction, and I heard from another source it was very good, so I bought it. THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN by GARTH STEIN is an inspirational, wonderful, and sad story that had me feeling so many different emotions while listening to this book. I didn't think that much of the narration -- the conceit of a dog narrating the story. Adorable and unique; I have always wanted to know what it's like in the mind of a dog. It would be less embarrassing to wait for the DVD, but I’m sure I won’t be the only one in tears. The Art of Racing in the Rain has 15 reviews and 12 ratings. Free delivery on qualified orders. His soul had done what it came to do, learned what it came to learn, and then was free to leave.”. Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2018. l am in love with this book, personally my favorite from Garth Stein, have read it 2x. As far as I'm concerned, THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN is a perfect book for book clubs everywhere. Welcome back. Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations, Select the department you want to search in, The human language, as precise as it is with its thousands of words, can still be so wonderfully vague. Other than in the hands of a master storyteller—Paul Auster in his compelling novel Timbuktu, or E.B.White in the enchanting Charlotte’s I was rather sceptical about The Art of Racing in the Rain. Parents need to know that The Art of Racing in the Rain is a very emotional drama told from a dog's point of view. It even has twin humanoid villains and an imaginary striped demon...and yes...there is some sadness and despair within these pages, but overall, it is a happy, feel-good amazingly enjoyable book. 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