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The Art of Racing in the Rain

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The Art of Racing in the Rain

By: Garth Stein
Narrated by: Christopher Evan Welch
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About this listen

Soon to be a major motion picture, this heartwarming and inspirational tale follows Enzo, a loyal family dog, and tells the story of his human family, how they nearly fell apart and what he did to bring them back together.

Enzo knows he is different from other dogs: he thinks and feels in nearly human ways. He has educated himself by watching extensive television and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver. Through Denny, Enzo realises that racing is a metaphor: that by applying the techniques a driver would apply on the racetrack, one can successfully navigate the ordeals and travails one encounters in life.

Enzo relates the story of his human family, sharing their tragedies and triumphs. In the end, despite what he sees as his own limitations as a dog, Enzo comes through heroically to preserve the Swift family.

The Art of Racing in the Rain is a testament to a man's life, given by his dog. But it is also a testament to the dog himself. Though Enzo cannot speak, he understands everything that happens around him as he bears witness to his master's problems. His enforced muteness only refines his listening ability and allows him to understand many of life's nuances that are lost on most humans. With humour, sharp observation and a courageous heart, Enzo guides the listener to the bittersweet yet ultimately satisfying conclusion: there are no limitations to what we can achieve if we truly know where we want to be.

©2008 Garth Stein (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers Limited
Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Heartfelt Feel-Good Racing

Critic Reviews

"The Art of Racing in the Rain is 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 who are meant for each other never really comes to an end. Every now and then, I'm lucky enough to read a novel I can't stop thinking about: this is one of them." (Jodi Piccoult)

"The Art of Racing in the Rain has everything: love, tragedy, redemption, danger, and - best of all - the canine narrator Enzo. This old soul of a dog has much to teach to us about being human. I loved this book." (Sara Gruen, author of Water for Elephants)

"The Art of Racing in the Rain takes you on an unforgettable journey through another kind of mind, through the eyes - and nose - of a dog. I found it fascinating." (Temple Grandin, author of Animals in Translation)

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I absolutely loved this book. It was funny and heartwarming and such a refreshing change to all the 'dark stuff' around these days. I'd highly recommend it!

Fantastic story!

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this story kept me captivated from beginning to end as a daughter of a racing car driver and a dog lover it won my heart over and over and over this book will be read again and again and again and shared with his many friends as I can

10 /10 a must read

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Heartwarming and amazing plot that weaves car racing and a dog in a sensitive and intelligent book. Loved it

No to be missed

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Loved the storyline and the way it was told. Listened in one day and then watched the movie

Beautiful story and well told

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A beautiful heartwarming story that links a dogs love with great metaphors of the sport of motor racing that are life inspiring,

Wisdom of a Dogs instinct

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Absolutely loved this book! Beautiful story and parallel’s regarding the journey of life. The movie adaptation is fabulous too. Highly recommended!!

Absolutely loved this book!

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Emotional, funny and I couldn’t put it down. I listened to it in under a week, it’s a must read for all the dog lovers out there

Great book

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I think I cried over 7 times and I'm not an overly emotional person, I love it so deeply but hate it at the same time.

I need a life time to recover from this, it has a beautiful message aswell

I was bawling

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A very well written book. Having the perspective of a dog is something I’d love to read more in future.
The story is humorous at times in relation to dog antics although it can also be sad. With truths about life that might not always be uplifting, but true nonetheless.
Overall a very good book.

Entertaining, sad and truthful

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I loved this book and it’s one I’ll listen to again. In fact it’s one that I was sorry when it ended

I loved this book

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