The Art of Racing in the Rain

by Garth Stein | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: 9780007281190 Global Overview for this book
Registered by catsalive of Rooty Hill, New South Wales Australia on 7/7/2016
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7 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by catsalive from Rooty Hill, New South Wales Australia on Thursday, July 7, 2016
A heart-warming and inspirational tale in which Enzo, a loyal family dog, tells the story of his human family, how they nearly fell apart, and what he did to bring them back together.

Enzo knows he is different from other dogs: he thinks and feels in nearly human ways. He has educated himself by watching extensive television, and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver. Through Denny, Enzo realizes that racing is a metaphor: that by applying the techniques a driver would apply on the race track, one can successfully navigate the ordeals and travails one encounters in life.

Enzo relates the story of his human family, sharing their tragedies and triumphs. In the end, despite what he sees as his own limitations as a dog, Enzo comes through heroically to preserve the Swift family.

The Art of Racing in the Rain is a testament to a man's life, given by his dog. But it is also a testament to the dog, himself. Though Enzo cannot speak, he understands everything that happens around him as he bears witness to his master's problems. His enforced muteness only refines his listening ability, and allows him to understand many of life's nuances that are lost on most humans.

With humour, sharp observation, and a courageous heart, Enzo guides the reader to the bittersweet yet ultimately satisfying conclusion: there are no limitations to what we can achieve, if we truly know where we want to be.

Journal Entry 2 by catsalive at Rooty Hill, New South Wales Australia on Thursday, July 7, 2016
I loved this book from Enzo's perspective. He looks back on his life & can be proud of his achievements. I also learned more than I ever wanted to know about car racing. Because of the racing I thought I wasn't going to like this, but I got used to the analogies quickly & ended up quite enjoying them.

That little bitch Annika should be keelhauled or something equally nasty - I could see that coming as soon as the Twins sued for custody. It's a really jarring note in the book, & Eve's entire extended family gangs up on Denny because of a teenager's fantasies.

One of my girls is 14 this year; she is arthritic & rheumy-eyed, & I'm not looking forward to the end that I know is coming. I cried for Enzo, I cried for pets long gone, & I cried for future losses, but I wouldn't be without them because they bring so much joy.

Journal Entry 3 by catsalive at Favourite Book Roundabout, Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, July 7, 2016

Released 7 yrs ago (7/7/2016 UTC) at Favourite Book Roundabout, Bookring -- Controlled Releases

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Sent to Fifna for the Favourite Book of 2015 Roundabout.

My choice for the second semester of Favourite book of 2015:

1. Fifna
2. Dark-draco
3. elstaplador
4. earthcaroleanne
5. Icila
6. perhaps a surprise for someone?

Journal Entry 4 by wingFifnawing at Voorburg, Zuid-Holland Netherlands on Sunday, July 17, 2016
Arrived safely, and looks in good nick. Thanks catsalive, I will label it as requested. This looks like something I might enjoy!

Journal Entry 5 by wingFifnawing at Voorburg, Zuid-Holland Netherlands on Saturday, August 6, 2016
Interesting perspective - a dog's point of view. It doesn't always work ideally. When he has to explain how he knows about the court case, it feels a bit forced. But because it's an enjoyable story, it's easy enough to look past that. So yes, I enjoyed this a lot. Thanks for sharing!

Journal Entry 6 by wingFifnawing at Ledbury, Herefordshire United Kingdom on Saturday, August 6, 2016

Released 7 yrs ago (8/6/2016 UTC) at Ledbury, Herefordshire United Kingdom

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

On its way to dark-draco.

Journal Entry 7 by wingdark-dracowing at Ledbury, Herefordshire United Kingdom on Friday, August 19, 2016
Received a few days ago, but just journaled - sorry! Will move this to the top of my TBR list.

Journal Entry 8 by wingdark-dracowing at Ledbury, Herefordshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, September 6, 2016
I have to say that I was slightly reluctant to start this novel for two main reasons...
1. I have a dog and love animals ... and nearly all animal novels end sadly.
2. I too lost someone close to me to cancer at the beginning of the year, and to make this book even more poignant, he was a huge motor racing fan.

So expecting big emotions, I began.

I kind of liked the concept and was pleasantly surprised by the story - I thought this was about a dog helping father and daughter through the grief of losing a wife / mother. It is that, but the huge court case and shocking treatment of Denny by his in-laws was not expected.

Yes, I agree with a lot of reviewers that sometimes reality was stretched way too think to explain how Enzo understood what was happening in places where he wasn't allowed to go, but then again, he explains that himself as imagination based on the TV he watches. My dog loves certain programmes (Paul O'Grady's For The Love of Dogs and the Show Jumping especially), so I can buy into that somewhat.

Although not my favourite animal novel of all time, I found this immensely easy to read, entertaining and with enough suitably emotional bits. As a firm believer that if we have souls, then animals have too, I liked the author's view on what could be happening in an animal's afterlife.

Well worth reading.

Released 7 yrs ago (9/16/2016 UTC) at -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Sent to the next participant in the Favourite Book of 2015 Roundabout.

Journal Entry 10 by elstaplador at Cambridge, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Received in the Favourites roundabout.

Journal Entry 11 by elstaplador at Cambridge, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, November 15, 2016
Speaking as a motorsport fan... I'm afraid this left me cold. I didn't find the dog's point of view at all convincing, and the plot itself was offensively clichéd.

Journal Entry 12 by elstaplador at By Mail, Book Ring -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Released 7 yrs ago (11/15/2016 UTC) at By Mail, Book Ring -- Controlled Releases

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Sending on to the next participant in the roundabout.

Journal Entry 13 by wingearthcaroleannewing at Falkirk, Scotland United Kingdom on Saturday, November 19, 2016
Arrived in the post today - and I already have a bit of a backlog.

Journal Entry 14 by wingearthcaroleannewing at Falkirk, Scotland United Kingdom on Monday, January 9, 2017
Well, I wasn't expecting to enjoy this. A dog narrator and a racing driver - I really can't stand F1. However it became strangely compelling. In fact I was distraught when I thought I had left it at work one Friday night. Needless to say it became a book I didn't want to put down. And I've got to admit I had a little cry. Enzo's take/dream of the court case was a little weird but that was just a couple of pages. I really enjoyed this.

Sorry, didn't realise I had this for so long, it got muddled in the Christmas reading. Probably a good job I didn't read it over Christmas with my own pet being ill.

Journal Entry 15 by wingearthcaroleannewing at La Chapelle-sur-Erdre, Pays de la Loire France on Sunday, January 15, 2017

Released 7 yrs ago (1/10/2017 UTC) at La Chapelle-sur-Erdre, Pays de la Loire France

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Sorry, forgot to do my release notes earlier in the week. It's probably nearly there now.

Journal Entry 16 by wingIcilawing at Nantes, Pays de la Loire France on Thursday, January 19, 2017
Just arrived. I was a bit surprised before realizing that's a roundabout book.

Edit 16/0218 :Tagging supperbunny.

Journal Entry 17 by wingIcilawing at Nantes, Pays de la Loire France on Monday, February 19, 2018

Released 6 yrs ago (2/19/2018 UTC) at Nantes, Pays de la Loire France

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

On its way to Finland, Enjoy !

Journal Entry 18 by slipperbunny at Helsinki, Uusimaa / Nyland Finland on Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Thank you for this wishlist book! I can't wait to read this.

Journal Entry 19 by slipperbunny at Helsinki, Uusimaa / Nyland Finland on Friday, November 29, 2019
What a beautiful story and not nearly as sad as I thought this would be.

Released 3 yrs ago (7/21/2020 UTC) at -- Kampin terminaalin kierrätyshylly in Helsinki, Uusimaa / Nyland Finland

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

Releasing this to the recycling shelf in Kamppi.

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