Review – The Art of Racing in the Rain

𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐴𝑟𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑅𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑅𝑎𝑖𝑛. Garth Stein. 2008.

Middle grade contemporary fiction. Family drama. Animal point-of-view. 

Enzo, a racing instructor’s pet dog, has the interior personality of a human. He studies the human behaviors of his family, seeing many of them as racing car metaphors, and prepares to be reincarnated as a man.

The vibe in this story is bittersweet, soulful, and contemplative as Enzo watches his master navigate the complexity of human relationships and emotions. 

The voice—obviously a dog’s anthropomorphic voice—is curious, sympathetic, and philosophical. Interestingly, it is also simultaneously child-like and wise, which gives this story an abundance of underlying charm. 

AUTHORS – Contact me through my website if you want to swap chapters with a well-read critique partner.