The Art of Racing in the Rain audiobook

If you have yet to read this wonderful novel, do yourself a favor and do so. It's original and captivating, and I simply adored Enzo (the narrator ... who also happens to be a dog). It tells the story of a particular family, with twists and turns that keep the pages turning. It's a perfect read for a rainy afternoon or while laying in bed, the kind of novel that you'll remember long after you've finished.

That beginning - whew - nearly shorted out my kindle with the tears. If you're like me (avoiding sad books like the plague), you'll feel the urge to abandon this book after Chapter 1. Don't do that. There is an absolutely beautiful story that has to be told (and don't worry, the ending is not as sad as the beginning implies.) I’ve always felt almost human. I’ve always known that there’s something about me that’s different than other dogs. Enzo belongs to Denny (and Eve and Zoe, but mostly Denny). He loves car rides, treats and his stuffed dog BUT Enzo is a peculiar sort of dog. He understands English, the finer points of racing and the emotional needs of his humans. But he's trapped in a dog's body - no thumbs and no talking - and he is in anguish when his humans are hurting. But this has led to one supremely useful skill. As he says, Learn to listen! I beg of you. Pretend you are a dog like me and listen to other people rather than steal their stories. This book is all about listening - what can be learned and gleaned if only people spent their lives as dogs do. When Eve gets sick, when Zoe is snatched by her grandparents and when his beloved Denny about to truly give up, only Enzo is able to listen. But how can Enzo help them when he's trapped in a dog's body? I know this much about racing in the rain. I know it is about balance. It is about anticipation and patience...It is about believing that you are not you; you are everything. And everything is you. This was a truly excellent book - the writing, the plot, the characters - all just stunning. This is one of those books that everyone should read once - it has such a solid story and that ending (oh that ending!) was just what I needed. The 2018 PopSugar Reading Challenge - A book with a weather element in the titleYouTube | Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat @miranda_reads

I'm shocked...shocked, by how much I loved this book.The narrator is a dog.There is much mentioning of racing - Formula One, NASCAR, Indy....and the narrator is a dog. But I think I mentioned that already.I liked this book so much that it made me want a dog. No, it made me want this dog. And I don't even like dogs.Enzo, a terrier/lab mutt, believes in his next life he will be human. As he feels practically human already, just limited to grand gestures due to his loose-muscled tongue and lack of opposable thumbs, he spends his dog years closely watching his ownder, Denny Swift, to learn the art of being human so that when it's his turn, he'll have a head start.Denny, a race car driver/mechanic/down on his luck dad is a kind owner who loves his dog and uses racing philosophies in his own life. There are many to choose from, but my favorite is, "No race has ever been won in the first corner; many have been lost there." Denny's own story is one of work, patience, courage, endurance, hope, and love. It's not an easy story to read. There are times I felt like throwing the book I was so mad at Denny's in-laws, but (kind of embarrassing to admit here), Enzo kept me sane. I just loved that dog. Just when I'd about had it, he'd make me laugh and I could manage another chapter.Enzo dies in the end. It's not a secret. From the opening pages, you are reading the words of a dying dog. But that didn't take away my sadness in the end. I bawled when Denny held his beloved friend in his arms and says, "It's okay. You can go." Think Where The Red Fern Grows and Old Yeller only for adults. There is some mentioning of "mounting" (it's a dog's perspective, remember) and language.Several times throughout the book, Denny or Enzo say, "Your car goes where your eyes go." Enzo knew that applied to life as well. Your life goes where your eyes go. I'm happy my eyes rested on this book.

A fantastic and well told story! At times, I was near tears. Other times I wanted to reach into the book and punch one of the characters. I was so emotionally invested, I was talking out loud to the book. In the end, I set down my Kindle and gave a standing ovation.I was skeptical going in . . . this is the part where I fear pet lovers will start unfriending me and/or sending me hate mail! I am not a big pet person so I have been putting this off because I heard it is told from the point of view of a dog. My worry was that it may not appeal if I couldn't connect to the love an owner might have for their dog (I know, I am a terrible person!😉) But, I will say that I really enjoyed it. The dog in question is Enzo, and he comes across as very wise and human. The cutesy dog/owner story I feared it is not.Because Enzo is very wise, this book is very quotable. I began to picture Enzo sitting on a mountaintop in robes waiting to impart knowledge on those coming to seek his guidance. Because of this, I feel that this is a good book to recommend to those seeking inspiration.Another aspect that sold me on this book is how much the book is about auto racing. I love watching auto racing and talking about cars, drivers, great moves someone made in a race, or their mistakes made, etc. This is just like Denny and Enzo in the book. I thought it was awesome how auto racing philosophy was connected to life in general.I mentioned in the beginning that at times this book made me rage. It has been a long time since a book has made me this mad (the last was probably The Giver - which I actually flung across the room. That was a physical copy, though. This was my Kindle, I didn't want to fling it). I cannot really say what made me so mad without spoilers, but be sure to prepare yourself because I bet there are few people who can make it through this book without a similar reaction.Because I was so moved - to happiness, to sadness, and to anger - I give this book A++++, 16 thumbs up, all the book awards, etc. I can easily recommend this book to anyone!

2021, I love you already for starting a new year with a book like this.1st January, 2021:I didn't know what to expect when I picked up this book today. This is the second time I picked it up. I picked it up last year, went into a few pages and I realised I wasn't ready for the story. I did not want to ruin the reading experience, so I put it down. So glad I did (trust your reader instincts always!).The first page. It made me cry. I continued crying until the next few chapters, I got used to the story and the characters and then I cried, like ugly-i-am-dying-now kind of bawling my eyes out ignoring the burning sockets and the crazy headache throughout the last few pages. It hurt. And it still hurts. *Caution:I agree that this book is a masterpiece. But, dog moms (like me or canine lovers in general), please consider before picking up this book. If you cry seeing a cute puppy, please do not pick up this book. The heartbreak is just too much!The story is told from the perspective of a dog named Enzo. He's been living with his human, Denny, before he got married and have a daughter. Things turned pretty ugly and difficult for Denny with his wife, Eve, dying young from brain cancer after struggling for months, leaving him with his small daughter. Denny doesn't have a stable job with his interest only with cars and races. Well, the blow comes when he's been charged of sexually assaulting a minor. Things turned crazy. The entire read is a rollercoaster! For my heart which was breaking all this while and for my tear glands which have been working consistently for the last 4 hours or so. Because of Enzo. Because I love this canine with all my heart!Our german shepherds passed away when I was away from home. I know how difficult it is to let go. This story triggered me a lot especially reading about the struggles of Enzo because of old age and also, the last few pages. I could relate to most things when it comes to the dog-human bond in the story. It's so real. I need to stop crying.... My head is hurting and my hoodie is all wet. Yes, my pillows and my bed. I need to make them dry. My whole room cried I guess.How could such a tiny human produce all those tears?I haven't cried this much in my life. Let alone reading a book.

THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN by GARTH STEIN is an inspirational, wonderful, and sad story that had me feeling so many different emotions while listening to this book. Laughter...happiness...sadness....anger...and even a few tears. I had chills and goosebumps! That is good writing to make me feel so many different emotions while reading/listening to a book.It was such a touching and uplifting story about the life of Enzo the dog, which was told from his own perspective. I found this story to be quite endearing, enjoyable, sad, and even funny with a few good twists and turns to keep me interested to the very end. Would recommend!Audiobook - The book is performed by Christopher Evan Welch.All of Brenda & my reviews can be found on our Sister Blog:https://twosisterslostinacoulee.com/

Yeehaw!.....a Zebra is dancing? .....Car racing? .... in the RAIN?.......What’s going on? And you thought this was a DOG story? Don’t let those other 8,249 Amazon reviews fool ya. Just because you see a Golden Retriever on the cover of Garth Stein’s novel.....this novel isn’t a doggy dog story at all. I don’t care if you own a dog or not - own cats or birds or nothin- this book is more HUMAN than HUMAN!!! ENZO is showing us the BEST QUALITIES of HUMANITY.I may be late to the party in reading this VERY HUMAN BOOK .....I HAD REAL TEARS...is that human enough for ya? Laughed silly too. My heart and body felt so warm with love - I swear I wouldn’t need a jacket in the snow with this much heat. Is it possible I have a new FAVORITE *FAVORITE* book in my top 10 books - as in EVER?..... YES.....ITS POSSIBLE!! I’m not done with this book YET! I have gifts to buy. I honestly can’t understand why the 8, 249 reviews are not at least DOUBLE THAT AMOUNT! This is not a HAS BEEN.... BEEN THERE....SEE YA...BOOK!! It’s the best doggie/human novel of its kind. Every new generation will be ‘gifted’ taking their turn reading this novel....NOBODY IS *Too OLD* or TOO INTELLECTUAL themselves to not be profoundly touched.......it’s PURE SATISFYING reading ....involving the reader wholeheartedly in thought, heart, spirit, and self-reflecting. Both emotionally and intellectually. Enzo.....( named after Enzo Ferrari who built one of the greatest trademarks in the world), is incredibly observant of people and his surroundings. He’s funny & shrewd- bright as a whip - has an impressive vocabulary- teaches life lessons about courage and love -and dreams to have ‘thumbs’. That’s right - thumbs! ( like you and me). Enzo is no pansy......he watches Educational TV that *his human*, Denny leaves on for him when he’s away at work ( at an upscale auto dealership in Seattle) Denny is also a semi pro race car driver. Enzo’s learned [ about the Mongolian legend- on daytime TV] that if a dog is prepared enough - really prepared - they will be reincarnated as a human in their next life. Not only does he dream of being transformed as a human - he’s excited to be an ‘adult’ human —-( being the intellectual philosopher he is).Enzo is a ‘pretty quick’ study doing his ‘prep’ work. He is patient....loyal ....a good friend.....supportive......and protective. He also had to learn to share his love —with Enzo’s wife Eve and their child Zoe. ( you’ll love the immediate family). There is some awful friction with the in-laws ....( reality drama)....yet it’s valuable to see how really hard situations get resolved. Enzo had limited views for awhile about understanding the depths of character -( ie selfishness vs. being present and focused).....but in due time - he understood. We feel confident that ENZO IS MORE THAN PREPARED FOR HIS NEXT LIFE JOURNEY..... yet......the ending is heart-wrenching. So compassionately written ....but I couldn’t stop weeping. The ‘symbolism/ parallels’ between race car driving and LIFE are brilliant. “GREAT DRIVERS DRIVE *THROUGH* PROBLEMS”....There are insights about the difference between being average and being a champion....the value of hard work and commitment. There are insights about control - things we can control - things we can’t. There are twists and turns with race car driving ...... as there are twists and turns in life. Garth takes us through obstacles with both - 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞/ Family challenges - ( custody battles, terminal illness, and death), and on the race track we take those twisty turns as well....be it sunshine or rain ☔️. It’s impossible not to love ENZO!!!!!!!5+++++ Stars!!!!! I dedicate this little ( ha) review to Cheri and Paula .....Two women whose expression of love for their dogs move me.....And to *Lunchbox* ....my favorite baby-face Chihuahua in the whole wide world!!!

If I had to describe what I felt reading this book in one word it would be charmed. This is such a heartwarming and original story concept and I'm not sure I've ever read something so objectively sweet. This is the story of Enzo, a philosopher dog with an obsession with opposable thumbs, racing, his family and his belief that when he dies he will be reincarnated as a man. The story is told solely from Enzo's perspective and I found it funny and imaginative. I couldn't help but near constantly read excerpts to my husband because Enzo has an incredibly endearing and amusing view on life. Stein's image of how a dog would view the world I found both unique and inventive while maintaining as much realism as one could expect when reading a dogs perspective. My only issue with the story is a few of Stein's language / descriptor choices. Personally, I think you can discuss a woman breastfeeding without describing her nipple and you can also describe female dogs without calling them "a bitch of a dog". It's not that it came off as necessarily offensive or overly sexualized it just felt wholly UNnecessary to the story and it conflicted a bit with how I felt Enzo was as a character. Overall, if you love dogs or not I think anyone would enjoy this story. It's original, entertaining and a loving story about familial bonds. I don't know what humans did to deserve them but they are the most pure and perfect things we have. Now I've got to adopt another dog and name him Enzo because his voice and his character was absolutely unforgettable.

this is positively one of the most masterfully simple yet profound novels i have read/heard in years. i listened to the audio version on the way back from my last trip to pittsburgh and, as another reviewer commented, it's a tear jerker. i boo hoo'ed quite a bit and then raced to the nearest borders to reread the parts of the story that moved me the most. this story is a fascinating study of the human condition as witnessed by Enzo, the dog narrator. this will at once seize your emotions and provoke more thought than you could ever have predicted. another reviewer asserted that racing is a metaphor for the lessons we are on this planet to learn. we chose the car (body and life) and even the obstacles (rain, curves, speed) before arriving. this concurs with other authors who believe, in spirit form, we chart a path and body with "masters or guides" prior to life in this plane (see brian weiss, richard webster, and sylvia brown). through Enzo, this author forced an examination of my sense of purpose...and i am better for having read it.

Amazing.I just loved it.So sad.

Tear jerker! I'm writing this and sobbing! What a beautiful work of art. Enzo the dog was such a life force to reckon with. I love him and he's just a made up character! All of these characters... Denny, Zoe, Enzo, Mike, Eve.. Such masterful people! It ended the way I expected but I so loved the very end. Such a perfect ending to the story :) read this!!!!! You will not be sorry you did! Such a magnificent story as told by a dog. Would love to see a movie based on this story.

What I loved:1. Enzo is the coolest. dog. ever. And that includes my dog, who happens to be pretty hip. He's caring, he's funny. I love it.2. The way Enzo narrates is awesome. I have a feeling that if dogs - smart dogs, who are about to come back as men - could talk, this is what they would sound like.3. I plowed through this book because I was utterly unable to put it down. It isn't so much that I wanted to find out what happened next in the plot; I wanted to find out what Enzo had to say and what happened to the characters.4. Even though it's clear from the first chapter what will happen at the end, the last 20 pages made me cry great, shuddering sobs. My dog came over to make sure I was okay. I told you he was hip.What I didn't love:1. The language was a little too flowery and contrived at times. Not always, but there were definitely times when I felt like the author was reaching.2. I agree with Erin that not all of the characters were very well developed. Denny was, as was Enzo (generally) and Luca (who we don't meet until the end). But with the others, there was no real motivation for much of their actions. There was too much telling on the part of the author, and not enough showing.3. Along those same lines, some of the plot was the same way. The end felt a bit contrived. I haven't decided yet whether I will read anything else by this author. But all things considered, I loved this book. Read it. Read it now!

The Art of Racing in the Rain, Garth SteinGarth Stein is an American author and film producer from Seattle, Washington. Widely known as the author of the novel The Art of Racing in the Rain. Nearing the end of his life, Enzo, a dog with a philosopher's soul, tries to bring together the family, pulled apart by a three year custody battle between daughter Zoe's maternal grandparents and her father Denny, a race car driver.Enzo educated himself by watching television extensively, and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver.‏‫‭The art of racing in the rain, Garth Stein, 336 Pages, New York, 2008. تهران: جاودانه‏‫، 1398‬‏‫هجری = 2019متاریخ نخستین خوانش روز نخست ماه نوامبر سال2020میلادیعنوان: هنر مسابقه در باران؛ نویسنده: گارت اشتاین؛ موضوع داستانهای نویسندگان ایالات متحده آمریکا - سده 21مانزو، سگی با روحی فیلسوفانه، در نزدیکیهای پایان عمر خویش، کوشش می‌کند، خانواده‌ای را دوباره گرد هم نگاه دارد؛ «انزو» با تماشای تلویزیون و با گوش دادن به سخنان استادش «دنی سویفت»، که یک راننده ی خودروهای مسابقه‌ است، بسیار میآموزد؛ «انزو» با توجه موشکافانه به رفتار «دنی»، دنیا را بهتر می‌شناسد: هنگامی‌ که «دنی» در پیست مسابقه رانندگی می‌کند، زمانی که او در خانه ویدئوهای مسابقات مهم را تماشا می‌کند، یا زمانی که یک مستند درباره ی «مغولستان» می‌بیند؛ «انزو» نیز همراه اوست و آرزو دارد که در آخرین روزهای پیش از تبدیل‌ شدنش به انسان، زندگی خود را در دشت‌های «مغولستان» بگذراندتاریخ بهنگام رسانی 09/08/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی