The Art of Racing in the Rain
Garth Stein
Reviewed by Susan Wiggs
When writers get together, it doesn’t take long for the conversation to come around to the question we always ask each other — What are you working on?
Some writers are notoriously close-mouthed about their works-in-progress, not wanting to scare their muse into hiding. Others offer up their current projects for discussion and brainstorming, commentary or out of sheer excitement and delight.
Garth Stein fell into that category a year ago, when a group of us gathered to present at the Field's End Writers’ Conference. With great enthusiasm — and not a hint of irony — he characterized his latest book as "Jonathan Livingston Seagull for dogs."
Garth is also the kind of writer you want to see do well. He’s incredibly nice, a generous teacher, a young father. And as a romance writer, I’m forced to tell you that he’s a hottie. He has also suffered the kind of career ups and downs that win instant sympathy from anyone who’s been in the business for more than five minutes. After his first two well-received but modest-selling novels, he finished Racing and found himself looking for a new agent. He not only found one, but the deal he made for the book was reported in New York Magazine.
Now, our intrepid WritersAreReaders editor will attest that I am the most slavish of dog-lovers.
But when it comes to dog books, I am a tough sell. Let me clarify — a tough, tough sell. The majority of dog books, both fiction and nonfiction, follow the same general storyline. A dog helps someone become a better person, and then the dog dies and the reader’s heart breaks. Whenever I sit down to read a dog book, I watch closely for the inevitable signals — old Fido’s appetite is off. Or he starts holding his head funny. Or he sleeps most of the day away. Once you start seeing those signals in the text, it’s time to get out the duct tape and bind the final chapters of the book shut. (You think I’m kidding? I’m not kidding.) If it ain’t Go Dog. Go!, I don’t want to hear it.
So now you know my dilemma. I’ve met Garth. I like him. I want him to do well and I want to like his book. But here’s the problem. It’s a dog book. Not just any dog book, but a story told from the point of view of a dog.
With a bit of trepidation, I sat down to read it one morning. And I barely moved until I’d finished. My own dog, Barkis, was put out with me all day, until I closed the book, hugged his neck and loved him the way Denny Swift, the book’s human protagonist, loved Enzo, the canine narrator. I half expected Barkis to say, Enzo-like, "That which you manifest is before you."
Have you noticed that so far, I haven’t told you much about the story? That’s because I’m afraid if I do, you’ll be put off and I don’t want you to be. I want you to read this book and love it the way I did, and maybe give it to your mom for Mother’s Day or your dad for Father’s Day.
For those of you who must know what you’re getting into, here’s a thumbnail: Denny Swift, a Formula One race car driver, young husband and new father, is observed in detail by the preternaturally wise Enzo, his loyal terrier-lab mix. Denny struggles through his career and family troubles, wrenching tragedy and redemptive moments, learning humanity from the most unlikely of sources — his canine companion. Now, I know what you’re thinking, but you’re wrong. It kind of is like that, only better. Enzo sees the world with wry humor, a sense of wonder and other-worldly depth, and in the hands of a gifted writer, the story rings with truth.
This is a book for anyone who has ever looked into a dog’s face and seen the wisdom of an old soul in his sweet brown eyes. It’s a heartfelt story of hope, redemption and the transformative power of love. And it’s the next best thing to a long walk on the beach with your furry best friend.
Order THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN from
Amazon
About the Reviewer:
Susan Wiggs's latest novel is the New York Times bestseller, SNOWFALL AT WILLOW LAKE. She has 3 RITA Awards, 2 feature film options, a master's degree and a lifelong love affair with the written word. She has taught writing at every level, from second-graders and advanced fiction writers at major conferences. Currently, Susan is in charge of programs for Field's End (www.fieldsend.org ), a writers' community in her town. She lives on the beach on an island in Puget Sound and her life, like her books, is filled with friends, family and the inevitable canine companion. Please find her on the web at www.susanwiggs.com and www.susanwiggs.wordpress.com.
Order SNOWFALL AT WILLOW LAKE from
Amazon