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Anastacia's Reviews > The Art of Racing in the Rain

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
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it was amazing
bookshelves: fiction, favorites

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. I was pleasantly surprised to read the cover to find out it is written entirely from the perspective of a dog. Adorable and unique; I have always wanted to know what it's like in the mind of a dog. 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.

By page six I was sobbing and sniffling.

I didn't buy the book then because, as an animal lover, I am especially sensitive to certain subjects. As a doggy mom, I am more sensitive and I can't bear to think about certain things, whether peaceful or otherwise. I cry watching Animal Cops. I cry whilst watching Wild Discovery. I love animals intensely. So when I read those first six pages and discovered how the story would unfold, I didn't think I could do it. I felt like I needed to get my bearings. I did and I bought it.

The book isn't short, but I read it on one Sunday. I couldn't stop. There were many times where my tears were blurring my vision and I couldn't read further until I wiped my eyes sloppily. But there were also many times when I laughed out loud, something I rarely do. When you're an avid reader, you tend to immunize yourself to a really good laugh (or a good scare, although that wasn't at play here). But Enzo, the dog, is witty, hilarious, immensely introspective, brilliant and sensitive. And I cried more because of this, because he is all of these things and because he was being so unflinchingly brave and honest. And, yeah, I know it was written by a man and not a dog, but if you've ever been a parent to a dog you'll know that the author's voice is eerily similar to expressions and personality "isms" that are directed at you every day.

My pup is very well taken care of and loved with a fierceness that astonishes me, but after reading this book I have been talking to him, laying on the floor with him, treating him more as a friend who can hear and understand me even though he can't form or speak the words through his mouth. This story is beautiful and hopeful and devastatingly sad, but it is told in such a delicate way that you'll find yourself sobbing but feeling okay about it. If Enzo is okay, I thought, then so am I.

Maybe it's because this is what I want to hear and what I want to think because I know my own boy will leave me some day, but I want to believe that all of Enzo's thoughts are real and that when it is time, they want you to let them go. I can't imagine it and I'm tearing up just writing this, but maybe thinking about this when I'm forced to will make it just a tiny, infinitesimal bit less paralyzingly heartbreaking.

The book took my breath away and makes me feel closer to my dog. For that alone I am indebted.
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Reading Progress

Started Reading
June 29, 2008 – Finished Reading
July 2, 2008 – Shelved
December 31, 2008 – Shelved as: fiction
December 1, 2014 – Shelved as: favorites

Comments Showing 1-50 of 94 (94 new)


Lara Oh my god, I don't know if I can read this without becoming an emotional wreck, but you certainly make me want to try.


message 2: by Macy (new) - added it

Macy I'm afraid I'll feel the same way. I picked it up in B&N and then set it back down. But I'm determined to read it -- probably while sitting on the floor in the middle of my 4 furry kids.


Diane Anastacia - what a beautiful review you gave this book. I too was crying at the end of the first chapter (which I read while standing in Borders) but I had to have it. I agree with you - it is astonishing how deeply we love our little critters. I always pray for the less fortunate ones in this world.



Christina Anastacia your review said it all so perfectly, thank you for writing it.


Sydney This is absolutley my favorite book so far, although I havent finished it, it has brought me to tears, happy and sad ones!


message 6: by Jen (new) - rated it 5 stars

Jen Your review got me bawling all over again. I just finished the book and am so touched by little Enzo.


Gillian your review also made me cry and want to read the book. Thank you for solving my which-book-should-I-read-next dilemma!


Jason "Book Sniper" wow, thank you for your review. I couldn't sleep so I decided to finally read this book. I found this book at my local B&N, and being a dog lover, I couldn't leave the store without it.

I could not put this book down. Right now I'm about half way through the book, and every time I decide to call it a night, I pick the book back up, saying to myself...."just one more chapter", It never turns out that way when your reading a good book.

Thank you for your review, it definitely caused me to start reading this great book.

Jason


Rachel Absolutely loved your review!! I'm about halfway through the book, currently, trying to savor it. My current pup is a "replacement" (though nothing can ever replace what you‘ve lost) to my 13 year old golden who lost her battle with cancer, and this book is oddly comforting and I appreciate its message. Nothing makes the loss easier (I’m tearing up now just thinking about her, I miss her) but if I can imagine and hope that she is reborn as the amazing person she could have been if she could speak and had thumbs, well... that's just a lovely thought.


message 10: by Ben (last edited Feb 24, 2011 10:27AM) (new)

Ben I swear I'm not trying to ruin anything; I haven't even read this book. But if I did, I would appreciate getting the information I'm about to give you.

Please, please, please, look at this author's comments in the review link pasted below. He is a petty, disturbed and mean man. See link and go to message 34:

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Garth wrote:
I'll answer! This is fun!

A). Yes.

B). Actually, the first line of the book is "Gestures are all that I have, sometimes they must be grand in nature." Where did you go wrong?

C). Indeed.

D). Ah, maybe you read the flap copy? Because you already missed the first sentence test, so where are you getting this?

E). Yes!

F). They did for a couple of months. True!

G). Oh, my. You seem to have missed the lecture on Samuel Taylor Coleridge. You know, the whole "willing suspension of disbelief thing." Apparently that's the problem!

H). What paper? I missed something. How much paper?

I). Oy. Please see above. Either suspend your disbelief or don't, but the flogging thing is tedious!

J). Yeah, I wondered about that, too.

K). You know, you're kind of limiting yourself. Maybe you should start with some Vonnegut. If you get that, we'll introduce a little Orwell. Then we can move to Kafka, but only if you're ready!

That's it? Well, you don't have to like it, certainly. But you don't have to be nasty, either. The book is essentially a fable (you know, using animals to comment on....oh, forget it). I mean, fiction has a long tradition of using an unusual p.o.v. to comment on the human condition. That's all I was doing. A different view of a typically human story.

And, again, if you didn't vibe with it, that's cool. But my mom liked it, and I'd appreciate your not calling her a "dork meister," if that's okay.

Oh, and please don't review my next book, because you'll probably get to W). with it or something....

Garth




Rachel Ben wrote: "I swear I'm not trying to ruin anything; I haven't even read this book. But if I did, I would appreciate getting the information I'm about to give you..."

The author was responding to a VERY nasty review that was quite mean and uncalled for. I think he did it in as nice a way he could, given how the author of the review totally missed the point of the book. In fact, it's no more petty and rude than the labels the reviewer gave or the names she called people who liked the book.

I think if Garth Stein were petty and disturbed, he would be responding to EVERY bad review out there, yet he is not. He selected one that was particularly cutting of his work. The reviewer took issue with the main concept of the book.. it's from the perspective of a dog, and only stories like that should be read by children and that rubbed salt in the wound.

So I have to ask, if you haven't read the book, why do you feel the need to spread animosity here in this thread?


message 12: by Ben (last edited Feb 25, 2011 06:47AM) (new)

Ben Hi, Rachel. I honestly thought I was helping. I honestly figured more knowledge was a good thing, and that anyone who read it could make whatever conclusions they wish from that information. Like I said in my post, I would haved liked to see a link as well if an author I read had posted something similar. You know?


Rachel I getcha Ben, I getcha. I do appreciate you sharing the comments, as it's not often I see an author I like actually commenting here on goodreads, and for that I'm glad you pointed it out. I'm just sad it had to be done in such a way :/ I think Garth was coming from a place a hurt, not to be spiteful and petty. He's published three books for goodness sakes, he's seen bad reviews, I think Marie's just really hurt his feelings. I know they would have mine.


message 14: by Ben (new)

Ben I hear ya. And the fact that she misquoted the first sentence would have really ticked me off, if I were him. He's had a ton of support, though, and whether that's been deserved or not, I think if he were coming from a place of wisdom when reading Marie's review, he wouldn't have reacted in the fashion that he did. Thank you for being kind to me; I probably did initially overreact, but I also still believe that it was very petty and lacking in wisdom for him to respond as he did.


Juliana i feel like u feel and i barley on page 48 and does the dog ever die? :((


Juliana whoos marie?


Juliana i know who she is know and i TOTALLY DISAGREE WITH HER! x(


Andrea Girl- I know what you mean! I honestly can not read book with a dog or any animal on the cover. BUT- this sounded so good, and I'm going to read it. I'm most likely going to be crying my eyes out as well. :)


Juliana me too


message 20: by Alex (new) - rated it 3 stars

Alex This review is beautiful!


Juliana ya im crying cuz its the last day of skool


message 22: by Kathie (new) - added it

Kathie Wow! I have not touched this book because I had to put Kali Bear down. Now I have started it and it brought back a lot of emotion that I did not expect. I know how much she learned from me and how much I learned from her.
she truly was my best friend. and I think this review and this book shows how we are all one.


message 23: by Kim (new) - rated it 5 stars

Kim Great review. Exactly how I felt about it.


message 24: by Dray (new) - rated it 4 stars

Dray Your review made me start crying all over again. :) I also talk to my dogs differently now.


Lindsay a beautiful review. I haven't read the book yet, a client from work literally just recommended it to me aout half an hour ago. But after reading your review I am downloading it on my Kindle as I write, while wiping tears from my eyes...


message 26: by Tara (new) - rated it 5 stars

Tara What a great review. :) I too and a serious animal lover, and I too started sobbing 6 pages in. Page 1 almost was too much for me! We recently lost our 5 year old Doberman "Schatzie" to complications with surgery. We lost her on Labor day 2011. It's been 5 months and my heart aches for her daily. She left us so quickly, and it was so hard to deal with. I don't know if I'll ever recover from it. But, I do know that I loved her so much, and she was so well taken care of that it gives me a little bit of comfort knowing that her time spent on Earth was good time. I'm in the middle of the book right now, and I'm not sure I'm ready for what I know is coming, but maybe, just maybe it will help me with Schatzie. Again, thank you so much for your review. It was a pleasure to read.


Melissa I am not a dog lover, haven't owned a dog in years and I know nothing about race cars but I LOVED this book and I immediately wanted to adopt an "Enzo". Then sanity prevailed and I realized Enzo is not in any way what I would get if I got a dog. But the book was that good. I don't care if it was cheesy and teary. Loved it.


message 28: by Stacie (new) - added it

Stacie Elkins I agree totally with your review and had the same experience of sobbing, which I'm doing now as I write this, when I read a sample several months ago. I could not bear to purchase the book at that time. In fact, I don't know what brought the book to mind today, but I went searching for it in my Kindle and iBook shelves and it wasn't there. I could only, vaguely, remember the cover and that "rain" was in the title. I searched for "books with dogs on the cover". And here I am. Isn't technology great? I absolutely love animals, specially dogs, and cry when the slightest harm to them is shown on TV. The book was too much to handle as I have had to say goodbye to two of my four-legged babies. The last one in 2011. The loss of him pierces me to this day, he was such a great dog and companion. I want to read this amazing, hilarious, sensitive book, but I know it will take me many, many days to complete through the tears. Already, I've had to take 3 time outs to write this. Maybe one day I will add an "Enzo" to my life.


message 29: by Shar (new) - rated it 5 stars

Shar Anastasia I have just started reading this book, I like you was drawn to it because of the dog on the cover, I picked mine up in a Book Sale shop, have had it on my bookshelf for a few years before I started to read it. Like you I am also sensitive to reading or seeing anything upsetting about animals, particularly dogs, being a dog owner. I was crying by page 6 too and am now on page 77 and loving it.


Alice I've downloaded this book and am going to read it this weekend while my husband's out of town. My three dogs will probably wonder why "Mom" is bawling her eyes out. And I know I will because I got teary-eyed just reading your review!


Donna Lee schnitzius loved it


message 32: by M. (new) - added it

M. I'm bawling just reading your review. I'm like you, very sensitive to anything regarding animals & have a dog I love so very much. I'm not sure I'm brave enough to read this yet. Great review!


Pallavi Amazing review! :)


message 34: by Heidi (new)

Heidi I saw this in a thrift shop and picked it up because of the cover. After leafing through it, I regretfully put it back down again because even though I would really love to read this book, I just don't think I could stand the sadness.


message 35: by Monica (new)

Monica Mccaffery What a wonderful heartfelt review. I cried reading it. I will be reading very soon, thank you.I


message 36: by Nikki (new) - added it

Nikki I too cried reading through this review. I desperately want to read this book as I am passionate and truly obsessed with animals and dogs well they're my heart.. I love my two Furbabies one has survive cancer twice. As much as I want to read this novel, I'm worried it ay break me.


message 37: by Rachel (new) - added it

Rachel Shaw Oh my gosh, your review made me cry already! I understand what you mean about being sensitive to some things as an animal lover; I feel the exact same!


Charlie This review is exactly what I feel. I couldn't write it better.


message 39: by Ellen (new) - added it

Ellen The way you put it, I totally want to read it.


message 40: by sunder i2 (new) - added it

sunder i2 good book


message 41: by Carlee (new)

Carlee Wow, the way you described your love for animals and how you feel towards them describes me exactly. I am about to read this book and I am kind of afraid because I don't want to be sad. I will though. Great review!


Marcela Barretto Wonderful review. It amazes me how this book can find the ones who need it


Marcela Barretto Wonderful review. It amazes me how this book can find the ones who need it


Lauren I loved this book and how it was written from Enzo the dog's perspective. I found Enzo to be comical, loyal and so intelligent. I enjoyed Enzo and his obsession with opposable thumbs. We recently had to put our old boy down due to illness and I felt drawn to the story. I couldn't put it down and now I'm sad that it's finished. Thank you Garth Stein for a wonderful heart warming story.


message 45: by Carmen (new) - added it

Carmen Sisson Your review made me cry. I not sure I could read the book.


Kirsten Elson My head hurts from crying- but this is well- worth the read. You nailed my feelings about it. My dog is 15. That made it a bit harder, but what a phenomenal end to the stores! Read it folks!


Chris Brooks Your review made me gulp. I've just read the book and it so puts me in mind of my own boys and girls over the years (so many of them) and what was going through their minds. I have always tried to image this in my own writing, but this book is a hard act to follow.


message 48: by Java4me (new) - added it

Java4me I just started this book and cant put it down, bur I don't want it to end because of the anticipation of what is to come and because I had to put my sweet boy down last summer and it still hurts like it was yesterday. I miss him terribly.
I am about 70 pages in and have shed some tears and laughed out loud. I was going to shelve it because of all the emotions it is stirring, but I decided to soldier on. Besides, isn't a great story one that touches your heart?


Chris Brooks Do soldier one with it. 'Racing' is a marvellous book and you will cry happy tears at the end. I do know what you mean about your own dog. It catches me the same way in both my reading and my writing. I have just had to put wrting one of my own books to one side for a little while, because it is upsetting me to write about a dog I have recently lost. Do have a good read though of 'Racing'. I promise you won't regret it.


Cristine I love this review. I was afraid to read this book for the same reasons you listed. I can't even hear about an animal being hurt or sick bc I instantly cry. However, I am motivated by your review to get through the sad parts and see the good parts. :)


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