Book Review: The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
Written by Pat Wootton, PromptProofing.com
The book we are reviewing for May is "The Art of Racing in the Rain" by Garth Stein.
Book Review: The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
The book we are reviewing for May is "The Art of Racing in the Rain" by Garth Stein.
A must for dog lovers everywhere, this is an easy read and - at times - hilarious. That said, the tale, told by Enzo the dog, is emotionally charged, poignant and compelling. Keep the Kleenex handy!
Enzo is an amazing dog, not least due to his wise insight into human nature, his strong belief that he will one day be reborn as a man and his considerable and extensive vocabulary. In fact, the biggest obstacle I faced with this book was coming to terms with the idea of a dog that was highly articulate and extremely knowledgeable. However, once you have achieved a willing suspension of disbelief, seeing the world through Enzo's eyes is truly enlightening.
Enzo's master, Denny, is an aspiring race-car driver and the book will presumably be enjoyed by racing fans also, however, my limited interest in, or knowledge of, Formula One racing did not detract from my enjoyment of the book one iota. Denny's life is far from smooth but Enzo is a faithful companion and support throughout.
The Hollywood style ending does seem a tad contrived but the several issues faced by Denny and Enzo throughout the book are dealt with empathetically and with occasionally heartbreaking realism. I have yet to meet anyone who has read this book and failed to love it!
Check back next Friday for another Prompt Proofing blog post!
About the Author
Pat Wootton is originally from England and is a former high school English teacher. Having spent many years in the Caribbean, where she raised her family, she now lives in Vancouver, BC. In addition, she has taught English as a Second Language (ESL) for several years after earning a diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from the University of British Columbia. She now owns and runs Prompt Proofing, a copy editing and writing service that caters to both individuals and businesses.
