Racing in the Rain

By: Garth Stein

Narrated by: Henry Leyva

Length: 5 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

Now a family friendly major motion picture from Fox 2000 Studios - featuring Milo Ventimiglia, Amanda Seyfried, and Kevin Costner as the voice of Enzo the dog!

In this young listeners’ edition of the New York Times best-selling adult novel The Art of Racing in the Rain, meet one funny mutt - Enzo, the lovable dog who tells this story.

Enzo knows he is different from other dogs. Most dogs love to chase cars, but Enzo longs to race them. 

He learns about racing and the world around him by watching TV and by listening to the words of his best friend, Denny, an up-and-coming race car driver, and Denny's daughter, Zoë, his constant companion. Enzo finds that life is just like being on the racetrack - it isn't simply about going fast. 

Applying the rules of racing to his world, Enzo takes on his family's challenges and emerges a hero. In the end, Enzo holds in his heart the dream that Denny will go on to be a racing champion with his daughter by his side. 

For theirs is an extraordinary friendship - one that reminds us all to celebrate the triumph of the human (and canine) spirit. 

©2011 Bright White Light, LLC (P)2011 HarperCollins Publishers

Young Adult Adaptation

Beware prior to downloading - this is not the original version of the book, The Art of Racing in the Rain. It was good, but my BF and I downloaded it for a long trip, and I was disappointed when I noticed the modified storyline. Having never read the original, he truly enjoyed this adaptation.

Loved it!

What did you love best about Racing in the Rain?

This version is a cleaner version for the whole family of a great story. I much prefer this version to the original.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Enzo, of course. Made me wonder what my dogs think of me.

What does Henry Leyva bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His inflections and intonations are perfect. I love his performance.

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

Too many to name.

I cried like a baby.

Would you consider the audio edition of Racing in the Rain to be better than the print version?

I'm aware the audio and print versions are different but I listened to the bulk of the story versus reading it. Some members of my Book Club read the print version so they were able to fill me in about the scenes omitted from the audio version. Either way, it was a moving story. I cried like a baby throughout the entire book. It touched me in so many ways. I'm a dog person and my beloved dog passed away. My mother had a similar illness so I was moved about the Eve-story. All-in-all, I adored the story and the writing. Enzo was a wonderfully compassionate funny and "human" dog. Bravo!

What other book might you compare Racing in the Rain to and why?

I can't think of a comparable book.

Have you listened to any of Henry Leyva’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, I haven't listened to Leyva before. I will look for him though. He did a wonderful job performing this book.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

"A timeless classic! A must see for everyone in the family!"

WARNING! This is a schmaltzy cheesy chick book.

What did you like about this audiobook?

The best part of this book was that it was short.I could not have taken another 2 minutes of this pablum.If you liked Love Story or The Notebook, you would probably like this book. If, on the other hand, you thought it would be about life from a dogs viewpoint and brimming with prescient or witty insight, YOU WOULD BE WRONG. This book is a formulaic concoction of every pathetic chick gimmick ever devised. Young mother dies of brain cancer. Grandparents sue over custody of daughter. Father goes broke. The obligatory helpful hollywood homosexual couple comes in to be friendly. I won't spoil the plot, but I bet you can guess what happens. Oh, I almost forgot, the other grandmother is blind. Wouldn't you know. I bought for a long vacation drive with the family thinking I got a dog book. OMG was I wrong. DO NOT GET THIS BOOK UNLESS YOU LIKE CHEESY CHICK FLICKS.

How has the book increased your interest in the subject matter?

It has made me never want to read an Audible description ever again.

Does the author present information in a way that is interesting and insightful, and if so, how does he achieve this?

Here is the most profound thing in the book.

What did you find wrong about the narrator's performance?

The narrator did a fine job. He is probably still drinking heavily to wipe out his memory.

Do you have any additional comments?

THIS IS NOT A BOOK ABOUT A DOG. IT IS ANOTHER STUPEFYING BUCKET OF GIRLY SCHMALTZ AND SAP. You have been warned.

A book for anyone who ever loved a dog.

Would you consider the audio edition of Racing in the Rain to be better than the print version?

Racing in the Rain will make you laugh and make you cry. Enzo will make think of all the dogs you have know in your life, and wonder if you have met them in their human form..

Great story... but too sad for me 😢

If you’re looking for a sweet tear jerker, go for it. Being a mom of young kids, it was just too heartbreaking for me. I couldn’t even finish it.

Lost my interest

What disappointed you about Racing in the Rain?

Story just seemed to keep repeating the same basic scenario over and over. Felt sorry for the dog living in such an environment. Supposedly the story was written from the dog's point of view. Wound up bored with the human's emotions and hang-ups.

What was most disappointing about Garth Stein’s story?

Repetitive and no story line.

What didn’t you like about Henry Leyva’s performance?

No problem with the reader

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointed and certainly won't purchase the next book in line.

Unique perspective.

Where does Racing in the Rain rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Not one of the best audiobooks I've listened too but good. The performance was very well done.

What did you like best about this story?

The story from a dog's perspective was refreshing and entertaining.

Have you listened to any of Henry Leyva’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No.

Any additional comments?

The plotting of the story line kept the pace up and the interest level high.

cute perspective, lacked depth

This book had cute recurring themes and applied racing metaphors to real life. The perspective from the dog was cute. However, it lacked depth for an adult audience. The ending was rushed and breezed over loose ends. The introduction of his parents at the end had little explanation and provided a solution out of no where that wasn't tied well into the story. It still made me cry because I'm a sucker though. I would recommend it to young readers. Maybe the unabridged version would have been better?

If you love dogs you will love this.

I've had dogs for the last 25 years. Each one different. Each one with their own personality.
The dog in this story is a smart and loyal one. A true older Lab. It makes me want one!
Much like the way I wanted a Lassie.
Enzo does a good job explaining what kind of dog he is as he wonders who his father was.
The story so familiar to many dog owners....we've lived it! Great writing by Garth Stein. And Great Narrating by Henry Leyva.

Loved This

Really nice listen, recommended by Golden Ratio. pulls on the heartstrings but loved listening to it. highly recommend

Not for me.

It was fine, but not my taste. Was after a nice piece of up fiction, with quirky characters and amusing scenes, this wasn't that but it was OK.