A Look At The Art of Racing in the Rain

Garth Stein's Entertaining Novel About Denny Swift and Enzo The Dog

Sep 8, 2009 Mckenzie Cassidy

The Art of Racing in the Rain, a 2008 novel by Garth Stein, tells the story of Enzo as he rides shotgun to the life of Denny Swift, a race car driver.

What makes this novel interesting is that it's one of a small genre of books written in an animal's perspective. It’s entirely narrated through the eyes of Enzo, the lab mix, as he tries to understand what his owners are doing and what will happen next.

Enzo observes his family and discusses his love of race car driving throughout the novel. He uses racecar driving as an allegory for life, especially as a way to deal with life’s struggles and misfortunes. The character of Denny is a talented driver - far more adept at driving in the rain than others – who enjoys taking Enzo for the occasional ride in the car.

The Art of Racing in the Rain is emotionally touching, hilarious at times and tragic. The novel is a bit slow to unfold in the beginning, but it swiftly transforms into a page-turner where the reader can’t put it down until they find out what happens next.

Author Garth Stein also wrote How Evan Broke His Head and Other Secrets, Raven Stole The Moon, Brother Jones, and When Your Head’s Not a Head, It’s a Nut.

Dealing With Tragedy Is Like Racing In the Rain

Enzo's relationship with Denny changes when he marries Eve. Enzo had always been the center of Denny's universe, but now he had to share his owner's attention. On top of that, it takes Enzo and Eve a while to warm up to each other as she moves in and the couple has Zoe.

The families’ early life seems ideal, but they are thrown into a whirlwind when Eve is diagnosed with brain cancer and dies. Denny later has to suspend his dream of race car driving to take care of his daughter and deal with the unexpected loss.

But, at the same time, Eve’s grandparents, who Enzo calls the “Twins,” are fighting Denny for custody of Zoe. Denny is pulled into a long, drawn-out legal battle where he nearly loses everything.

Denny becomes destitute, temporarily losses custody of his daugher, and is accused of a sex crime. He almost gives up and lets the Twins take Zoe, until he remembers the secret to being a good race car driver. He remembers that he can't give up, no matter the obstacles, and that he must go with the conditions of the track, whether they are rain or shine.

The Art of Racing In the Rain has been on the New York Times bestseller and is a recommended read.

Publisher: Harper Collins (May 13, 2008)

ISBN: 9780061537936

The copyright of the article A Look At The Art of Racing in the Rain in American Fiction is owned by Mckenzie Cassidy. Permission to republish A Look At The Art of Racing in the Rain in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

The Art of Racing in the Rain

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