The Art of Racing in the Rain

By: Garth Stein

Narrated by: Christopher Evan Welch

Length: 6 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

Now a Major Motion Picture from Fox 2000 Starring Milo Ventimiglia, Amanda Seyfried, and Kevin Costner

Meet the Dog Who Will Show the World How to Be Human

The New York Times best-selling novel from Garth Stein - a heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope - a captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life...as only a dog could tell it.

"Splendid." (People)

"The perfect book for anyone who knows that compassion isn’t only for humans, and that the relationship between two souls who are meant for each other never really comes to an end. Every now and then I'm lucky enough to read a novel I can’t stop thinking about: this is one of them." (Jodi Picoult)

"It's impossible not to love Enzo." (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

"This old soul of a dog has much to teach us about being human. I loved this book." (Sara Gruen)

An Audible for Dogs Pick: Make your dog's day. Cesar Millan shares how audiobooks can make dogs happier and calmer. Learn more.

©2008 Bright White Light, LLC (P)2008 HarperCollins Publishers

Excellent!

loved it! great story, great narrator. ..made me laugh and cry! I highly recommend. ..

A modern story told through the eyes of a dog

A funny, happy, sad, irritable and to some extent predictable story. None the less it is a good listen, but have the tissues ready for the sad bits. This story will affect readers as many of us have been touched by separation, death, love and had, or know of a friend with a puppy and watched it mature into a dog. It ends on a happy note, so overall an excellent novel.

amazing

An amazing book. So many touching moments that really touched my heart. I loved it!

One of the best stories ever!

Would you listen to The Art of Racing in the Rain again? Why?

Definitely. Just a wonderful, heart warming story.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Enzo...of course. He was a very wise dog...but then what dog isn't?

Have you listened to any of Christopher Evan Welch’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Can't remember, but he was very good.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The ending when the little boy says his name is Enzo....wonderful! Enzo said he would come back as a human and he did!

Any additional comments?

No, just a great book.

Enzo rocks!

I absolutely loved Enzo! This was a very, very enjoyable read. I'm not actually a fan of racing but cheered for Denny throughout the book. Well read by Christopher Welch.

Dog lovers, race fans welcome here

I'm not sure why other reviewers' had such a big problem with the narrator – I thought he was fine. The story, though, is great! Highly recommended for anyone who's ever loved and lost a dog. if you liked A Dog's Purpose, then you'll love this, too!

what a great book.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would absolutely recommend this book to a friend or an enemy. I read the book before but listening to it was so much more enjoyable.

Who was your favorite character and why?

enzo (of course)

DOGS KNOW HOW TO 'LISTEN'...WHO NEEDS 'THUMBS'?

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This audiobook was recommended to me and after hearing it, I can't praise/recommend this audiobook enough. The best aspect of this story is that it is told from Enzo's point of view. In other words this story is told by a dog and it is the most wonderful, refreshing story I have listened to in a long time. It is funny, heart-wrenching, heart-breaking and charming in its simplicity and complexity.

What did you like best about this story?

The best part of this story is how intelligent Enzo really is. We learn that Enzo is no ordinary dog. He easily grasps complicated ideas as he comprehends human language/dialogue. He is able to educate himself by watching television and by 'listening' to his master's one-sided conversations, which Dennis has with Enzo about racecar driving, work, life, etc. This smart dog is able to formulate plans of his own, a few of which he carries out at key times. I found myself thinking of my own dogs and smiling constantly while listening to this audiobook. There have been uncountable times when I thought my dogs had acted more human than canine.

What does Christopher Evan Welch bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I like this narrator. Mr. Welch's voice and manner are perfect. I enjoyed the 'matter-of-fact' way in which he read the story along with his ability to add just the right amount of emotion when needed. This is how I suspect a dog might speak, if a dog could.

Any additional comments?

Enzo is one smart dog who has a near human soul. The author does an excellent job in constructing the complex inner feelings, thoughts and aspirations of Enzo, whose understands racing and life better than some humans. Enzo cannot articulate it but he wishes Denny to one day become a champion racecar driver and he set a goal, after the death of Eve and in spite of a seemingly unwinnable child-custody suit, to ensure that Denny and Zoe will always be together. Finally and because Enzo works so hard to be ‘human’ his dream for himself is to be reincarnated as one; so he is able to seek out Denny to tell Denny that, "...Enzo says hi." With Enzo's limitless hope and dedication to Dennis, Eve and Zoe we are reminded that even the smallest of hearts can swell to encompass a mountain of love. While listening to this audiobook, I smiled, I laughed and I cried because dogs truly are the purest of love and loyalest of friends. As a listener/reader of this audiobook, I guarantee YOU WILL love Enzo.

A Nice Surprise!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, because it was well written and carried a very sweet message. The narrative performance was well done and enjoyable.

What did you like best about this story?

The fact that it was surprisingly enjoyable. I love animals and especially dogs but I was afraid that this story might be too melodramatic.

What does Christopher Evan Welch bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He was, very effectively, the "voice" of the dog.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. I rarely have that much time to commit to listening to a book. I generally listen as I am able to listen.

Any additional comments?

Thank you for making these audio books available and easily attainable!

the art of racing in the rain

This book was a joy to listen to. I would come home from work and walk my dog and listen to it, it made my connection to my dog closer and made me laugh and cry. I recommend to all pet owners.