Summary
Written from the perspective of a loyal dog, Garth Stein tells the story of Enzo. Enzo watches as his master, Denny Swift,, a professional race car driver, finds the love of his life, has a daughter, and eventually loses his wife to cancer. Enzo firmly believes in reincarnation, and he believes if he is prepared, he will be reincarnated as a human in his next life. In his journey to “hone his humanness,” he helps his owner through the ups and downs in life. Fair warning, Enzo dies at the end, but the ending isn’t entirely sad.
Review
If you’re looking for a quick recommendation, yes, I would definitely recommend this book!
This is one of my favorite books that I would recommend to just about anyone. What makes it so hard to put down are the characters and the story. Enzo is loveable and almost human. His view of the world is unique, and it’s fun to see things through his eyes. It’s almost like seeing the world through your child’s eyes. It’s fresh and exciting again.
It is heartbreaking to read as Enzo watches Denny struggle through the lows in life. My husband and I read this book together, and although it was sad, I think it brought us closer together. When Denny lost his wife, it made us more appreciative of each other. And everything we have in life. We read this book before we had our son, but I think the impact of the story would be a whole more now than what it was the first time we read it. If you’re looking for a great book for a reading date, I definitely recommend this one!
Although the story was about day-to-day life for a dog and his owner, it was more than that. As Enzo has a wonderful ability to add life and excitement to his everyday. There were times when I thought Enzo was human, but he would get excited about his favorite chew toy or overly excited about dinner, and it would remind me he was still a dog. But one who longed so badly to be human. I think that speaks to the writing and how well Garth Stein told the story.
Although I would recommend this book to just about anyone, I would not recommend it for anyone who needs something more uplifting. Because Denny goes through a number of things, such as losing his wife and fighting a custody battle for his daughter with his parents-in-law. Not to mention, Enzo does die at the end. It can be disheartening for anyone, but especially anyone going through a hard time. But if you’re ready to have your heartstrings pulled, I say go for it!
Overall, I would definitely recommend this to a busy mom. It’s sure to transport you to a completely different story and put you in another’s shoes. Just keep in mind it is a sad (but inspiring) story.
Rating
Five out of five stars
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If you enjoyed my review of The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein, you might also like Lily and the Octopus by Steven Rowley. Check out my review!
If you’re interested in purchasing The Art of Racing in the Rain, here are some quick links to buy the book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. And, if you’re interested to see what others think, here’s the link to the book on Goodreads.
