The Art of Racing in the Rain: Book Review by Protima Banerjee

The Art of Racing in the Rain: Book Review by Protima Banerjee

This novel tells the story of a man’s best friend. A New York Times Bestseller, Garth Stein perfectly encapsulates the love for our dogs. I have definitely teared up every time I’ve read this book, as it does have a very heartbreaking, yet wholesome, ending. The narrator, Enzo, is your ordinary Golden Retriever. I enjoyed having the story told from his perspective, as we have all wondered what really goes on inside a dog’s mind. Though we may never truly know, the author portrays Enzo as a fun-loving animal who wants nothing more than to be a human. He constantly wonders how strange people are, and remains mature throughout the novel. The bond between him and his owner, Denny, is a beautiful thing that many animal owners will be able to relate to. As Denny grows through many hardships in his life, Enzo stays by his side and comforts him silently. Both share a true love for racing cars, as Denny is a professional racer. Certain chapters feature Enzo discussing the different rules of racing, and how it is parallel to life. His owner is an expert at racing in the rain, which is a hard art to master for many drivers. Enzo discusses how one should not be afraid to “race in the rain,” which relates to how we must be courageous throughout the brutal moments in life. I believe that Denny’s personal life with his family and his inability to find a stable job is similar to driving through the racetrack of life. This idea is portrayed very subdely throughout the book, and I think it is a very important theme. The book does contain a few mature topics, but they were necessary to emphasize Denny’s difficulties. It also is very humorous as Enzo is quite clueless on why humans are so stubborn sometimes! I loved this novel for many reasons, and I think that the bond described between humans and their pet is shown to forever be irreplaceable. I strongly recommend The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein to anyone who is looking for a new perspective.