The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
Oh my! I was thoroughly surprised by this little book. Years ago, when it first arrived at whatever bookstore I was working in at the time, I thought ‘it must be just another dog book I will cry my way through.’ So I did not read it until this year.
I am so glad that I did! Was Mr. Stein hit by lightning or a stroke of genius? Was he channeling a wise and wonderful canine when he wrote this? I don’t have any idea, perhaps all of the above. Written entirely from the viewpoint of the dog, this book looks at the interrelationships among people and people with their domestic animals, but does not stop there! This precious novel enfolds the reader painlessly in a philosophical look at family life as seen through the soulful eyes of man’s best friend.
The dog’s ‘owner’ is, primarily a race car driver, although he also maintains a day job in a garage. He loves his dog, and as much as he does, he also loves and lives and breathes motor vehicles. The very fast kind. With dog as companion, he watches racing videos and studies the actions of each car and driver, commenting aloud to the dog, who watches beside him. He takes the dog for long drives and also to the track. The dog (as many do) loves to ride in the car. (BTW, I never would have guessed that I would read and enjoy a book dealing at all with auto racing. It’s not really ‘my thing.’)
When the family expands, the dog continues to observe: changes in behaviors, smells, emotions, are all his for the reading.
Is this dog a genius or are many of our beloved animals as observing and thoughtful of us and our milieu? His ‘conversant’ acquaintance with all aspects of racing, provide him with a measuring stick and an allegory for life with humans. The subtleties governing the driver physically and emotionally, track conditions, vehicle and other drivers and their cars become the metaphors through which the dog is able to explain to himself and the reader about life. Not just in the fast lane, but in the soft and hard pieces of family life as well.
I do not care whether you are a ‘dog person’ or not, this is a book for you; for everyone who is human.
Reviewed by
Victoria