Art Of Racing in the Rain Book Review

 Noah Hunter 

Mr. Davidson 

Contemporary Literature, Period 2 

20 October 2023 

 Art of Racing in the Rain Book Review 

In Garth Stein’s Art of Racing in the Rain, Denny Swift is a Formula One race car driver who understands that the techniques needed on the racetrack can also be used to successfully navigate everyday life. Denny has a daughter, a dog, and a wife. His daughter’s name is Zoe and his dog’s name is Enzo, who is very smart and wants to be reincarnated into a human. After Eve, his wife, falls ill and passes away, Eve’s parents sue Denny for custody of Zoe. Denny is forced to take on the case in is faced with major conflicts. 

   The realistic conflict makes the story very interesting and engaging to readers. It wasn't a basic conflict, but it was also a realistic one. Readers are able to connect the story to real life, because of the way the conflict is written. Readers will enjoy the way Denny doesn't just solve problems with unrealistic and improbable solutions. “He reared up and roared, and with his great hand, he struck me on the side of the head.” (57). Not just the main conflicts, but the smaller side conflicts are realistic. When he is being sued, he runs out of money and is forced to make a realistic decision to sell his house. Readers can relate or feel for Denny, because of the reality of his situation. The conflict does a great job in keeping the reader interested, while also staying realistic. 
 

   The change of narration style is extremely unique and is a fun way for readers to be more involved with the novel. The idea that it is being narrated by a dog is very unique and different. Readers enjoy the idea of having to fill the gaps in a dog's brain because it is not human. The idea of Enzo not knowing a lot because he is at home is also extremely realistic. The author doesn't just allow Enzo to go everywhere, but instead forces the reader to gain information through side characters or body language conveyed by a dog. “The walls were perforated with windows that looked out to the surrounding office, which was filled with police detectives doing their police work at their desks, just like on Law & Order.” (197). Enzo tries to describe what he knows using things he knows, even though it may be impractical it is fun for the reader. The writing style is unique from any other novel and is used perfectly to create a different story that keeps the reader engaged at all times. When Denny is in court, Enzo is not allowed inside the court, so it is left to our interpretation to depict how it all goes down. Readers get a new perspective on reading with the unique narration, and it makes the book even better. 
 

I really enjoyed this novel and recommend it to others as well. The different writing style, conflict, narration, characters, and so much more, just make this book so excellent. The book has a very fresh feeling because of how different it is. It is a book for teenagers and above and has themes and conflicts from everyday life. The novel perfectly mixes racing with themes about life and is just excellent. This novel is very well done and should be read by everyone that can get their hands on it. 

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