Sunday, October 2, 2011

The Art of Racing in the Rain

This novel by Garth Stein is a heartfelt, touching, sweet and funny story as told from the perspective of the family dog, Enzo.  The story is tragic, beautiful, at times humorous, but always real.  It is full of hope, love and family and was an enjoyable read from start to finish.

Enzo's human best friend, Denny, is a race car driver.  He lives, breathes, eats and sleeps racing and tells Enzo all about it.  As a result, Enzo is quite schooled in the art of racing.  Enzo is Denny's best companion, but as Denny matures, gets married and eventually has a child, Enzo learns the true meaning of family.  He senses things before they happen, but without the proper makings of the human mouth he has no way to tell his family of the upcoming changes they will all face, or to tell his Denny of the people who are working against him.  Enzo knows that in his next life, he will become human, for he is so close to being human already.

This book was incredible.  Anyone who has ever loved a dog or, for that matter, known anyone else who has ever loved a dog, will love this book.  The bond between Enzo and his family is the truest form of love.  Enzo is the type of character that will imprint on the reader's soul.  Denny's character never gives up, even in the face of despair.  This book is rich with humanity and is one that will have the reader thinking of it long after turning the last page.  I highly recommend it.

Happy Reading!

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