Posted: January 12, 2009, 5 a.m. EST
Dog is man’s best friend, but some dogs were born to be men. In the new book “The Art of Racing in the Rain” by Garth Stein, a dog reflects on life with his owner.
Told from his point of view, Enzo is a dog owned by an up-and-coming race car driver, Denny Swift. Enzo tells the story of their lives together, the two have been through many things: the loss of Denny’s wife, the subsequent custody battle over Denny’s daughter, and Denny’s struggles to succeed professionally. But through their struggles, Enzo has learned much about being a man, and even acquired his own race-track philosophy.
On the eve of Enzo’s death, he recounts the events that have made his life and reflects on what it is to be a dog and a person. He is a loyal companion — always hoping that Denny will fulfill his life dream to be a racing champion — and a lover of man. Even as he prepares to exit this life, he is a wise and intelligent canine, and hopes to return to this world as the kind of man he has learned to be.
Full of emotion, “The Art of Racing in the Rain” is a humorous and touching story of man, dog, love, and life.
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein is on sale now.