Sunday, July 12, 2009

The Art of Racing in the Rain - Garth Stein


This summer has been particularly busy at my house, and I've had little time to read. To pick this book off the shelf for my return was practically divine intervention.

Meet Enzo, a lab mix, whose master, Denny, is a race car driver. But don't be fooled into thinking Enzo is just an ordinary dog. Far from it. Enzo has the soul of a philosopher and the heart of a racer. He lives within the physical confines of his canine body, yet thinks much like you and I.

Enzo is the one that stands beside Denny as he builds his racing career, as he expands his world to include Eve and baby Zoe, and especially in the aftermath of Eve's death. Not only do Denny and Enzo have their grief to deal with, they are now in the race of their lives - fighting for custody of Zoe and facing a bogus child molestation charge.

This is an incredibly well-written book that made me experience a range of emotions. I laughed, I nearly cried, and I groaned out loud a time or two. In the end, it's the story of a loyal and faithful dog and his absolute love for his master.

If you're not a dog lover, you may find this book a little on the corny side, but I enjoyed every word it. In fact, it was one of those easy reads I found difficult to put aside. In the end, I couldn't help but fall in love with Enzo. Maybe you'll see a little Enzo in your dog.

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