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

A stunning read

I'll admit it... I frequently judge books by their covers. As a new owner of a yellow Labrador Retriever, this book screamed at me to pick it up off the table at our local library. I devoured the book, finishing it in just under two days. Then my wife read it at lightning speed.
This is where is gets weird...
After my wife read the book I read it again (something I have never done with fiction). Not only did I read it a second time, but then I picked it up here on audible.
Yes, it simply *is* that good!
The story is unique, and the main character's perspective is captivating. The book has really stuck with me, leading me to place a quote from it in my office at work.
Give it a listen, I'm certain you'll enjoy it.

5 out of 3000

I have over 3000 audiobooks in two accounts - and have listened to them all - even when I should have stopped. The Art of Racing in the Rain is without question one of the five best.

Enzo (because he's so wize) for president.

Of the 125 books I've listened to, this one is my favorite. The human characters were beautifully developed, but Enzo the dog will steal your heart. The story brings out a full range of emotions; I laughed many times, and cried when it was over. My husband is listening to it now, and he thinks it's great too. Don't miss it.

A Beautifully Told Story

I was skeptical about listening to this book because I am a dog lover and I was afraid that it would be too sad for me. However, this was incredibly well-written. I never got to the point where I was too distraught to listen. This book took me through a full range of emotions. One minute I was tearing up and the next I was chuckling to myself. It brought to mind my own beloved dog(s).
I highly recommend this book!!!

Artful Surprise

What did you love best about The Art of Racing in the Rain?

The intelligence of the narrator. I dodged this book for so long because I thought it would be simplistic as just another dog book riding the "Marley & Me" coat tails. I finally listened to this after an Audible sale purchase and was amazed. The depth of the observations made by the narrator about what it's like to be a dog were spot on. All characters were fleshed out well and I felt the whole range of emotions Denny & Enzo. Fantastic book.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Enzo was insightful and intelligent and well versed in new age theory. He was funny and honest.

What about Christopher Evan Welch’s performance did you like?

Welch's voice emotes all the intelligence and wit possessed by Enzo. He sounds honest, forthright, and strong, just like Enzo.

If you could rename The Art of Racing in the Rain, what would you call it?

The name is perfect. As with all good titles, it has many meanings. It alludes to Denny's racing and all of the character's individual philosophy of life.

Any additional comments?

Buy this one. Great story & narrator.

Inspiring without being cheesy

I am a dog person, not a cat person, so that was easy. But I had a bit of trouble keeping going through a couple parts as they closely reflected things that are happening with my dog. But how they were done was good and eventually not as painful as I thought they would be. On the whole, I loved the entire book. The dog's perspective was well done. The book gave me something to think about as to how to live my life. Good narrator. I'll be reading it again.

Pushes the Emotional Envelope

I truly enjoy when a book challenges my emotions. A book that can do that, captures me, and I become part of it. It doesnt happen often, but it did happen in The Art of Racing in the Rain. A real human interest story with very high highs and low lows, all told from the view of the family dog. I love it! I am also a long time dog owner and lover and I appreciated all the little nuances that could only come from someone who truly knows how a dog behaves. As for the racing part, I know nothing about racing but it fit the story perfectly and I found I did not need to know a thing about racing or even be interested in it. The story takes you from the depths of despair to the heights of euphoria. It doesnt often get better than this.

MUSIC IN AUDIOBOOKS - WHY?

Any additional comments?

I've read other books narrated by a dog and liked them more. I didn't get very attached to the characters on this one. The story wasn't bad, I just wouldn't brag on it.

I do have a question for Harper, who produced this book.
Question: Do the producers at Harper ever read a printed book? If so, do you stop between chapters or parts and turn on music before you move on to the rest of the book? Just wondering WHY you think it's a splendid idea to insert music into the books you produce. Some of us listen in bed at night and music suddenly blaring in your ear is very irritating. It's irritating at any place in any book. Please STOP IT.

Heartwarming and uplifting, yes, after 6 sad hours

STORY (fiction) - Enzo is a labrador who lives in present-day Seattle. He watches Law & Order, The Science Channel and LOVES to watch car races because his owner, Denny, is a race car driver. Enzo is very smart, philosophical and also happens to be the teller of this story . The summary gives a lot of the plot away, so I don't mind telling you that Enzo's family goes through a lot of sadness. Denny's wife dies, then her parents try to get custody of his daugher by playing dirty. This affects his job ... and on and on. As Enzo tells the story from his doggie perspective, he explains how he plans to be a human in his next life. He talks about a lot of famous race car drivers and their accomplishments. He also draws a lot of parallels between driving a race car and managing your own life. For example, "The car goes where your eyes go." In other words, keep your eyes on your dream, don't give up, and you will get where you want to in life. As I said, Enzo is a very deep dog!!

To be honest, I didn't like most of the book. It's well-written and there are some funny moments when Enzo resorts to acting like a plain old dog, but mostly it's just a downer. Then all of a sudden, Enzo is able to do something amazing which totally changes the direction of his family's lives. It comes totally out of left field -- NO WAY will you see it coming -- and it's great. It will make you laugh, smile, maybe even cheer. So I guess the bottom line is this: Are you in the mood to hear a lot of sadness before a heartwarming ending?

PERFORMANCE - The narrator has the voice of a man in his late 20's, early 30's. He does a good job, but there's nothing remarkable about the performance.

OVERALL (actual rating 3.5) - Well-done book, but I don't really like to wallow in as much misery as this dog and his family did. This would appeal to guys and gals equally, but it's definitely not a cute dog book for family listening. There's a tiny bit of cursing and sexual content, but shouldn't bother most listeners.

What a Story!

It's been a while since I listened to a book and felt moved enough to write a review but this is one of the best this year. The premise is outlandish but it really works, the writing is beautiful. This story has everything in it - humor, friends, family, love and death. Within the first 5 minutes you are hooked on this story and will have a hard time turning it off. The narration and production of this book is excellent.

brilliant book

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

As a fervent motor racing fan and dog lover this book was just up my street, just loved it. All life is encapsulated by the old dog. It made me laugh and cry best read this year.

I love this book, but I also hate it.

The first four hours of this book is wonderful. Sad but wonderful and beautiful. The philosophical and somewhat melancholy musings of the dog that almost feels like a human is fresh and utterly brilliant, and again yes, sad and beautiful.

Then the story introduces a major (and vile) plot element that completely dominates the book. It almost ruined the read for me. I actually paused my reading for weeks before picking it up again. I was actually angry at the book and had no enjoyment in listening for some time. Dammit, I went from listening with a sad smile (and even some tears) on my face, to listening with a grim determination to get the damn thing over with. I did not like that.

I suspect that a reread of the book will mellow my harsh feelings and make me love it again. But right now, having just finished the book, this is how I feel. Even the great ending didn't abate my annoyance much.

Narration was superb. I'm sure that Christopher Evan Welch was a dog in a previous life.

So, I guess that the fact that I hated where the story went so much, was in no small part due to how much I also loved this unique book.

Enchanting story

Well told delightful story that shows the writers passion for racing and how these skills can come in handy. A story of success through humility and love.

An all-time favourite!

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

Yes. It was a beautiful story, well-written and perfectly read.

What other book might you compare The Art of Racing in the Rain to, and why?

It is in a clas of its own.

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

No, but I will look out for him.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes, I laughed and cried...It was an emotional book.

Any additional comments?

I loved this book when I first read it, and I enjoyed it all over again, even more, when I listened to it. Highly recommended.

very enjoyable - beautifully written and read

A light-hearted, beautifully written book. Loved the way this dog views the world. Both my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed it (and didn't find the end part weird despite comments to the contrary).

Excellent

One of the best books I have read for a long time, especially if you are a dog lover, I could see myself as the dog, and I could see my dog in the book also.

Great listen-but....

This is a great listen with lots of clever observational detail and a cracking storyline.It is very moving in parts without being too "syrupy"-I bet you will be looking at your beloved mutt in a different way!
Really enjoyed it- but what was the court room Steven Hawkins thing about??-I'm afraid this really jarred with me-was the author looking for a way out?
Still good stuff, though,if you've got an elderly,wobbly much loved dog,be prepared to shed a tear or two.

The art of racing....

Oh my god, what a book. The narrator is splendid. I didnt know what to expect when this story commenced. It is very very special.

So happy that this narrator was chosen

Having read and thoroughly enjoyed indeed savoured the printed book, I was a bit nervous about paying for an audio version in case it was a let-down.

I need not have worried. The narrator does a superb job and is utterly convincing as Enzo, and I didn't want my listening time to end.

I can totally recommend this audiobook.

I’ve mixed feelings towards this one.

I thought the storyline was very well thought out. The characters were really well developed and I was invested in them. The English used was beautiful and emotional. There was so much sensitivity and pulling on the heartstrings. The last three hours however were just far too drawn out for me. Maybe I was in the wrong mood for it. Be aware you have to really, really, really love dogs to enjoy the book.