Racing in the Rain

By: Garth Stein

Narrated by: Henry Leyva

Length: 5 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's Summary

Have you ever wondered what your dog is thinking?

Meet one funny dog - Enzo, the lovable mutt 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 his daughter, Zo; his constant companion. Enzo finds that life is just like being on the racetrack - it isn't simply about going fast. And, 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 .

This is a special adaptation for young people of the acclaimed New York Times best-selling adult novel The Art of Racing in the Rain.

©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.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

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.

8 of 9 people found this review helpful

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..

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

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!"

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

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?

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

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.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

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.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Love and tears

I cried through the entire thing. This is such a beautiful book. I love he personality of Enzo, and all the very real, life moments. Read this book.

Beautiful, touching story!

Kept me wanting for more! Enjoyed the story and the narrator! The story was very touching!

Loved it

I liked the perspective of the dog and it was just breathtaking I can’t stop saying it I loved it