art of racing in the rain book review

• Bookreporter
• ReadingGroupGuides
• AuthorsOnTheWeb

The Book Report Network

Sign up for our newsletters!

Regular Features

Author spotlights, "bookreporter talks to" videos & podcasts, "bookaccino live: a lively talk about books", favorite monthly lists & picks, seasonal features, book festivals, sports features, bookshelves.

• Coming Soon

Newsletters

• Weekly Update
• On Sale This Week

Fall Reading

• Summer Reading
• Spring Preview
• Winter Reading
• Holiday Cheer

Word of Mouth

Submitting a book for review, write the editor, you are here:, the art of racing in the rain.

In Garth Stein’s touching story, the appealing narrator is a dog named Enzo, who (of course) cannot communicate as he'd like to, by talking with his family. Instead, he pours his considerable heart and spirit into this book, sharing his experiences and reflections with readers. Although Enzo is frustrated with his limitations as a canine, he comforts himself with the fact that, according to a documentary he watched about Mongolia (Enzo is a dedicated television viewer), he will be reincarnated as a human. And he knows a lot about being a human after watching his master Denny Swift, who is a hero to him.

At the beginning of the book, Enzo is just barely clinging to life, so he spends time reflecting upon his past. As Denny, who is a race car driver, has told him, drivers cannot contemplate their moves while they make them. Racing is like living; you can only do it and then remember it at a later date. For Enzo, in these last days he immerses himself in memories.

His reminiscences begin with the day Denny chose him out of a heap of puppies, taking him from a country farm to an apartment in Seattle. Although Enzo doesn't enjoy living there, he adores Denny and thus looks on this as a good life. He later develops a fondness for Eve, "the interloper," who Denny falls in love with and marries. He stands in literally for Denny on the day that his daughter, Zoë, is born. Denny is off racing in Daytona, Florida while Enzo is at the new mother's side.

For Denny, the joyous day of Zoë's birth is overshadowed as his racing career takes a beating. After a year of obtaining sponsorships in order to enter the race, he loses this hard-won opportunity to shine when a driver on his team has an accident. Denny returns to his day job as a customer service representative at a luxury auto shop.

Shortly after giving birth, Eve asks Enzo to promise to protect the little girl, and the dog's feelings of commitment to his family are intensified. Enzo's role in the family becomes that of caretaker and watchdog. He takes his role of protecting his loved humans seriously --- and faithfully not only watches over them, but also manipulates their lives, often in humorous ways, to ensure that they are taken care of. This loyalty will be needed as their lives are about to unravel.

When the family moves to a small house, Enzo enjoys a cozy backyard and sunny spots to lounge in. Eve chooses to go back to work, so Zoë enters daycare, which leaves Enzo at home, bored, until Denny begins leaving the television set on for him. But his happiness is short-lived, for he is the first one to realize that something is seriously wrong with Eve; his acute sense of smell has detected a decaying odor emanating from within her head. When Denny is away from home at his next race, Eve wakes up with a terrible pain. It's so bad that she gathers Zoë and goes away, leaving Enzo alone for days.

While this is unfolding, Denny's team has won first place, and he's had an offer from a big-time team, but he must turn his back on the racing he loves as he has more urgent matters on his mind. Eve suffers an increasing array of terrible symptoms, such as mood swings, vertigo and nausea. She sometimes screams from pain yet refuses to seek medical care. And when she inevitably receives the worst diagnosis possible, the family is torn apart, beginning an intense emotional rollercoaster ride. Through it all, Enzo supports them in every possible way.

THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN is getting all kinds of buzz, and it deserves every accolade. 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). Enzo is a charming and witty narrator. His tale, while hilarious at times, is quite often heartbreaking, but it is ultimately uplifting and heartwarming. And I found the ending to be oh so very satisfying!

Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon on January 7, 2011

The Art Of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

• Publication Date: June 9, 2009
• Genres: Fiction
• Paperback: 321 pages
• Publisher: Harper Perennial
• ISBN-10: 0061537969
• ISBN-13: 9780061537967

The Art of Racing In the Rain – Book summary and review

Buckle up, folks, as we go on a wild adventure through the pages of Garth Stein’s “The Art of Racing in the Rain.” This remarkable story has left tire-tracks on my heart as it happens to be one of my favourites, merging the thrill of racing with the profound essence of human connection. Join me as we traverse the twists and turns of an incredible story that delves not only into the art of racing, but also into the art of living. Stein’s narrative takes us into a world where speed and emotion meet, providing a remarkable reading experience, much like a well-tuned engine.

Consider a rain-soaked racetrack, where the noise of motors is drowned out by the repetitive pattering of droplets. Consider this moment to be the canvas upon which the complicated story of “The Art of Racing in the Rain” unfolds. As I reflect on a year of literary research, this work drew me in with promises of adrenaline-fueled excitement and emotional outpourings. So buckle in, because we’re not just spectators in these pages, but active participants in a story that combines the thrill of racing with the unpredictable storm of life.

Part 1: Racing Through Life

The story is told through the smart and insightful narration of Enzo, a Labrador retriever with the soul of a philosopher. Enzo is more than just a canine companion; he is a silent witness to his owner, Denny Swift, a race car racer. The racetrack, it becomes evident as the story progresses, acts as a metaphor for the wider race of life.

Enzo’s distinct viewpoint provides readers with a new prism through which to examine the human experience. “The Art of Racing in the Rain” challenges us to consider the interconnectivity of our own travels, from the excitement of the racetrack to the intricacies of human relationships.

Part 2: Navigating the Curves of Fate

The novel’s investigation of fate and the unpredictable twists and turns that life throws at us is one of its most captivating parts. Denny experiences a number of problems, ranging from job setbacks to personal losses, that match the unpredictable nature of a racecourse. Stein expertly weaves these difficulties throughout the story, creating anguished and sympathetic tapestry of life’s ups and downs.

As a reader, I became emotionally immersed in Denny’s path, feeling the heartbreak of defeats as well as the delight of achievements. The narrative serves as a metaphorical rest stop, forcing us to examine our own endurance in the face of adversity.

Part 3: The Power of Relationships

The investigation of relationships lies at the heart of “The Art of Racing in the Rain” – the engine that propels the tale forward. Denny’s relationship with his dog Enzo, his troubled marriage, and the mentorship he finds in his daughter all serve as emotional focal points. Stein depicts the subtleties of love, devotion, and sacrifice in these relationships with depth.s

Enzo’s point of view lends intensity to the investigation of human connections. His observations on the nuances of body language, the power of touch, and the unwritten language between humans and their pets are profoundly moving. Readers are reminded of the enormous impact animals may have on our lives via Enzo’s eyes.

Part 4: The Symphony of Language

Garth Stein’s writing style is an emotional symphony, with each note resonating with the reader’s soul. The narration is enhanced by the employment of Enzo as the narrator. Enzo’s voice is both mature and innocent, creating a contrast that touches the heart.

Racing metaphors litter the work, not only adding authenticity to the plot but also serving as insightful reflections on life’s journey. Stein’s text exemplifies the notion that language, like racing, is an art form requiring accuracy, talent, and a touch of poetry.

Part 5: A Reflection on One Year

As I reflect on my first year as a writer, “The Art of Racing in the Rain” stands out as a testament to the transformational power of storytelling. The novel is more than just a racing story; it is a celebration of the human spirit and the unwavering determination to negotiate the track of life.

Literature has become my medium for research, self-discovery, and empathy during the last year. “The Art of Racing in the Rain” is an example of the magic that occurs when words on a page transcend their form and become a vehicle for emotional connection.

Final Thoughts

As we relax off the literary gas pedal and approach the last pages of Garth Stein’s “The Art of Racing in the Rain,” the resonance of Garth Stein’s story remains like the smell of burnt rubber on a racetrack. The finish line is more than just the end of a story; it’s a symbol of the transforming trip we’ve walked with Denny, Enzo, and the rest of the ensemble. This novel isn’t just a pit break in my creative journey; it’s a watershed moment in which emotions have been refuelled, perspectives have been realigned, and the contours of the human experience have been negotiated with the competence of a seasoned racer.

Just as Denny Swift navigates the unpredictability of life, we, the readers, have navigated the emotional highs and lows of this narrative rollercoaster. The closing chapters offer an invitation to reflect on the miles travelled, lessons acquired, and emotional pit stops that have shaped us. Stein’s writing is a participatory experience that demands our attention, challenges our assumptions, and rewards us with a strong sense of connection to the characters and, by extension, to the universal human predicament.

“The Art of Racing in the Rain” stands as a tribute to the eternal power of storytelling as I coast across the finish line of my literary race. It’s a reminder that, like a well-maintained racing car, a well-crafted narrative has the ability to move us not just from point A to point B, but from one emotional landscape to another. So, let us appreciate the afterglow of this literary voyage, take a deep breath in the pit of emotions, and recognize that, like the characters we’ve come to love, we’ve crossed a finish line, permanently altered by the artistry of words and the resonance of a well-told tale.

Related Posts

Best Books to Read for Motivation in Hindi | Best in 2024

10 Best Books to Read as a Teenager | Worth Reading Books in 2024

10 Best Books to Read in Hindi Literature

Write a comment cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

The Literary Edit

Review: The Art of Racing in the Rain – Garth Stein

It would, of course, be a God-awful pun to say that I raced through Garth Stein’s The Art of Racing in the Rain, but it too, would be undeniably true. I can’t remember when I first heard about the book, suffice it to say, however, that the cover was a familiar one when I happened upon it in Byron. I went on something of a blue-book splurge, and The Art of Racing in the Rain was one of the books that made the purchase pile.

Written from the point of view of Enzo the dog, who belongs to aspiring race car driver Denny, his wife and young daughter, The Art of Racing in the Rain draws its reader in from the get go. While I wasn’t exactly sure how the tale would work – being narrated by a dog as it were – Enzo’s loveable and loyal nature makes for a unique telling of what turned out to be the best book I’ve read by a country mile this year.

Early on in the book, we learn that Enzo has a goal: to finish his life as a dog so that he can come back as a human, and no longer have to rely on gestures to communicate. But in this life he also has a purpose: to protect and support his master and his family as they experience a series of trials and tribulations. And while he might be restricted to gestures alone, those gestures offer his family more support than they fully realize, particularly in the aftermath of Denny’s wife’s illness.

What follows is a compelling story with an almighty twist that changes the events of Denny’s life as he knows it. And while testing times lie ahead for Enzo’s master, his faithful friend remains loyal and steadfast throughout, reinforcing the widely-held notion that dogs truly are a man’s best friend.

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. It is a story of life and death, and how the two are inextricably linked together in all our lives. It is both a love story to our four-legged friends, and a vehicle through which they have been given a voice. An unputdownable and beautiful book, it is both heart-breaking and a must-read for dog-lovers far and wide. This book will change you, and it might just change the way you look at dogs, forever.

About Garth Stein

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.” He is also the author of the stage play “Brother Jones.” He has a dog, he’s raced a few cars, climbed a bunch of really tall trees, made a few documentary films, and he lives in Seattle with his family. He’s co-founder of Seattle7Writers.org, a non-profit collective of 74 Northwest authors working together to energize the reading and writing public.

About The Art of Racing in the Rain

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 by watching television extensively, and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car 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. On the eve of his death, Enzo takes stock of his life, recalling all that he and his family have been through.

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.

Love this post?  Click here  to subscribe.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

• Bibliotherapy Sessions
• In the press
• Disclaimer + privacy policy
• Work with me
• The BBC Big Read
• The 1001 Books to Read Before You Die
• Desert Island Books
• Books by Destination
• Beautiful Bookstores
• Literary Travel
• Stylish Stays
• The Journal
• The Bondi Literary Salon

Forgotten password

Please enter the email address that you use to login to TeenInk.com, and we'll email you instructions to reset your password.

• Poetry All Poetry Free Verse Song Lyrics Sonnet Haiku Limerick Ballad
• Fiction All Fiction Action-Adventure Fan Fiction Historical Fiction Realistic Fiction Romance Sci-fi/Fantasy Scripts & Plays Thriller/Mystery All Novels Action-Adventure Fan Fiction Historical Fiction Realistic Fiction Romance Sci-fi/Fantasy Thriller/Mystery Other
• Nonfiction All Nonfiction Bullying Books Academic Author Interviews Celebrity interviews College Articles College Essays Educator of the Year Heroes Interviews Memoir Personal Experience Sports Travel & Culture All Opinions Bullying Current Events / Politics Discrimination Drugs / Alcohol / Smoking Entertainment / Celebrities Environment Love / Relationships Movies / Music / TV Pop Culture / Trends School / College Social Issues / Civics Spirituality / Religion Sports / Hobbies All Hot Topics Bullying Community Service Environment Health Letters to the Editor Pride & Prejudice What Matters
• Reviews All Reviews Hot New Books Book Reviews Music Reviews Movie Reviews TV Show Reviews Video Game Reviews Summer Program Reviews College Reviews
• Art/Photo Art Photo Videos
• Summer Guide Program Links Program Reviews
• College Guide College Links College Reviews College Essays College Articles

Summer Guide

College guide.

• Song Lyrics

All Fiction

• Action-Adventure
• Fan Fiction
• Historical Fiction
• Realistic Fiction
• Sci-fi/Fantasy
• Scripts & Plays
• Thriller/Mystery

All Nonfiction

• Author Interviews
• Celebrity interviews
• College Articles
• College Essays
• Educator of the Year
• Personal Experience
• Travel & Culture

All Opinions

• Current Events / Politics
• Discrimination
• Drugs / Alcohol / Smoking
• Entertainment / Celebrities
• Environment
• Love / Relationships
• Movies / Music / TV
• Pop Culture / Trends
• School / College
• Social Issues / Civics
• Spirituality / Religion
• Sports / Hobbies

All Hot Topics

• Community Service
• Letters to the Editor
• Pride & Prejudice
• What Matters

All Reviews

• Hot New Books
• Book Reviews
• Music Reviews
• Movie Reviews
• TV Show Reviews
• Video Game Reviews

Summer Program Reviews

• College Reviews
• Writers Workshop
• Regular Forums
• Program Links
• Program Reviews
• College Links
• Review: The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

Review: The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein MAG

I was hesitant to pick up The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein In fact, it spent months sitting on my desk waiting to be opened. I was skeptical after hearing that the story was written from a dog’s perspective and wondered whether it would end up being another sad dog story. How is it even possible to know how dogs think? I finally decided to just read it, and I’m glad that I did.

The Art of Racing in the Rain is one of the most unique books I have ever read. The dog, Enzo, shares his beliefs on life and death while narrating the hard times his owner – a race car driver named Denny – is going through. While Denny’s life is turned upside down, Enzo is there, always trying to help in whatever way a dog can.

Throughout the book, Enzo believes that his time on earth is for the purpose of learning how to become a human. He is excited about what awaits him after death – the chance to live life as a person. Enzo learns about life through Denny’s racing. All of the tips and tricks Denny has about racing, Enzo uses as metaphors for life. The book includes wise adages such as “This is a rule of racing: No race has ever been won in the first corner; many have been lost there,” and “The race is long. It is better to drive within oneself and finish the race behind the other than it is to drive too hard and crash.” You’ll find yourself wanting to learn all that Enzo discovers about human nature.

While the plot of this book is spectacular, the relatable and realistic characters really make the book shine. Stein does an incredible job of showing the reader the struggles Denny and Enzo face during their time together. He shows their faults and their regrets and makes them relatable. But he also shows how they overcome. These characters feel real. Stein writes, “The true hero is flawed. The true test of a champion is not whether he can triumph, but whether he can overcome obstacles – preferably of his own making – in order to triumph.”

Stein makes you want to root for them. It’s the kind of book where you become so invested in the characters, you hope for the happy ending they deserve. 

Another aspect that sets this book apart is the humor. For a book that could be very sad and depressing, Stein does a wonderful job of keeping the reader interested and smiling. While Enzo may have a lot of wisdom about how humans live, he also makes a lot of interesting (and maybe not too accurate) discoveries that will have you grinning at the pages. Just like when Enzo thinks, “Gestures are all that I have; sometimes they must be grand in nature.”

Overall, there is only one regret I have regarding this book: not reading it earlier. The Art of Racing in the Rain is a heartwarming story for anyone – not just pet owners and dog lovers – who wants a new perspective on life. Don’t hesitate to pick up this book the next time you see it. You will not regret your decision.

Similar Articles

Join the discussion.

This article has 0 comments.

• Subscribe to Teen Ink magazine
• Submit to Teen Ink
• Find A College
• Find a Summer Program

Share this on

Send to a friend.

Thank you for sharing this page with a friend!

Tell my friends

Choose what to email.

Which of your works would you like to tell your friends about? (These links will automatically appear in your email.)

Send your email

Delete my account, we hate to see you go please note as per our terms and conditions, you agreed that all materials submitted become the property of teen ink. going forward, your work will remain on teenink.com submitted “by anonymous.”, delete this, change anonymous status, send us site feedback.

If you have a suggestion about this website or are experiencing a problem with it, or if you need to report abuse on the site, please let us know. We try to make TeenInk.com the best site it can be, and we take your feedback very seriously. Please note that while we value your input, we cannot respond to every message. Also, if you have a comment about a particular piece of work on this website, please go to the page where that work is displayed and post a comment on it. Thank you!

Pardon Our Dust

Teen Ink is currently undergoing repairs to our image server. In addition to being unable to display images, we cannot currently accept image submissions. All other parts of the website are functioning normally. Please check back to submit your art and photography and to enjoy work from teen artists around the world!