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eBook editions

The Art of Racing in the Rain

by Garth Stein

The Art of Racing in the Rain Cover

ISBN13: 9780061537967
ISBN10: 0061537969
Condition: Standard
All Product Details

Only 1 left in stock at $9.50!

 

Staff Pick

After the umpteenth customer recommended this book to me, I made it my book club pick. The first few lines made me a bit nervous (because it could have gone so terribly wrong, you see), but I was laughing and crying within the first three pages. I finished the book in less than a day, and I still can't even look at the book without feeling it all again. Stein and his unconventional narrator make the requisite suspension of disbelief effortless; I was swept away and I suspect you will be, too.
Recommended by Nita, Powell's Books on Hawthorne

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Enzo knows he is different from other dogs: a philosopher with a nearly human soul (and an obsession with opposable thumbs), he has educated himself by watching television extensively, and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver.

Through Denny, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition, and he sees that life, like racing, isn't simply about going fast. Using the techniques needed on the race track, one can successfully navigate all of life's ordeals.

On the eve of his death, Enzo takes stock of his life, recalling all that he and his family have been through: the sacrifices Denny has made to succeed professionally; the unexpected loss of Eve, Denny's wife; the three-year battle over their daughter, Zoe, whose maternal grandparents pulled every string to gain custody. In the end, despite what he sees as his own limitations, Enzo comes through heroically to preserve the Swift family, holding in his heart the dream that Denny will become a racing champion with Zoe at his side. Having learned what it takes to be a compassionate and successful person, the wise canine can barely wait until his next lifetime, when he is sure he will return as a man.

A heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a beautifully crafted and captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life . . . as only a dog could tell it.

Review:

"The perfect book for anyone who knows that some of our best friends walk beside us on four legs; that compassion isn't only for humans; and that the relationship between two souls...meant for each other never really comes to an end." Portland Oregonian

Review:

"I savored Garth Stein's The Art of Racing in the Rain for many reasons: a dog who speaks, the thrill of competitive racing, a heart-tugging storyline, and — best of all — the fact that it is a meditation on humility and hope in the face of despair." Greg Bear, author of Quantico

Review:

"The Art of Racing in The Rain has everything: love, tragedy, redemption, danger, and — most especially — the canine narrator Enzo. This old soul of a dog has much to teach us about being human." Jodi Picoult

Review:

"Fans of Marley and Me, rejoice." Sara Gruen, Author of Water for Elephants

Synopsis:

Meet Enzo, the unforgettable canine narrator of this bittersweet and transformative story of family, love, loyalty, and hope. Enzo is a philosopher with a nearly human soul, and he's gained a wealth of knowledge from hours spent in front of the TV.

Synopsis:

A heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope—a captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life . . . as only a dog could tell it.

About the Author

Garth Stein is the author of three novels, including the New York Times bestseller The Art of Racing in the Rain and How Evan Broke His Head and Other Secrets, and a play, Brother Jones. He has worked as a documentary filmmaker, and he lives in Seattle with his family.

What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 70 comments:

slave2books, January 30, 2012 (view all comments by slave2books)
This book is told with wry wisdom, humor and compassion by the family dog. Garth Stein has written this story with everything I enjoy in a book: love, friendship, drama, humor, emotion and, then there is the very smart dog to roll it all together.
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
Kid Seahawk, January 29, 2012 (view all comments by Kid Seahawk)
A life story, as seen and told by Enzo the dog. Get a box of tissues, and prepare never to look at your pups in the same way again. A must-read for dog-lovers AND book-lovers.
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
Michael Hagenbuch, January 28, 2012 (view all comments by Michael Hagenbuch)
If there was a 5 + I would rank it that and more. This is one of those "page turners" in the same category as the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series, or The Davinci Code, or The Help, etc. that draws you in and won't let go of your undivided attention. The story Stein weaves is very well crafted, keeps interest flowing, and runs the gamut of emotions. It allows pure absorption into the make up of the characters, the setting, and their personalities on so many levels. One of the best books I have ever read for the pure fun and enjoyment of it. A classic of an ending! This is a book you'll want to keep and share at the same time.
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View all 70 comments

Product Details

ISBN:
9780061537967
Subtitle:
A Novel
Author:
Stein, Garth
Publisher:
Harper Perennial
Subject:
General
Subject:
Dogs
Subject:
Experimental fiction
Subject:
General Fiction
Subject:
Literature-A to Z
Copyright:
Edition Description:
Trade PB
Publication Date:
20090609
Binding:
Paperback
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Pages:
336
Dimensions:
7.43x5.98x.81 in. .55 lbs.

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Related Aisles

The Art of Racing in the Rain Used Trade Paper
0 stars - 0 reviews
$9.50 In Stock
Product details 336 pages Harper Paperbacks - English 9780061537967 Reviews:
"Staff Pick" by ,

After the umpteenth customer recommended this book to me, I made it my book club pick. The first few lines made me a bit nervous (because it could have gone so terribly wrong, you see), but I was laughing and crying within the first three pages. I finished the book in less than a day, and I still can't even look at the book without feeling it all again. Stein and his unconventional narrator make the requisite suspension of disbelief effortless; I was swept away and I suspect you will be, too.

"Review" by , "The perfect book for anyone who knows that some of our best friends walk beside us on four legs; that compassion isn't only for humans; and that the relationship between two souls...meant for each other never really comes to an end."
"Review" by , "I savored Garth Stein's The Art of Racing in the Rain for many reasons: a dog who speaks, the thrill of competitive racing, a heart-tugging storyline, and — best of all — the fact that it is a meditation on humility and hope in the face of despair."
"Review" by , "The Art of Racing in The Rain has everything: love, tragedy, redemption, danger, and — most especially — the canine narrator Enzo. This old soul of a dog has much to teach us about being human."
"Review" by , "Fans of Marley and Me, rejoice."
"Synopsis" by , Meet Enzo, the unforgettable canine narrator of this bittersweet and transformative story of family, love, loyalty, and hope. Enzo is a philosopher with a nearly human soul, and he's gained a wealth of knowledge from hours spent in front of the TV.
"Synopsis" by , A heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope—a captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life . . . as only a dog could tell it.
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