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What Members Thought
I was rather sceptical about The Art of Racing in the Rain. I continued to be so as I read, even when I was more than halfway through. It bothered me: the description of Eve's illness, the situation with Annika. And I wasn't sure I was getting much out of it in return for getting so unsettled. I didn't think that much of the narration -- the conceit of a dog narrating the story. Parts just didn't go together: you can't have a really smart dog with ideas on philosophy who then gets confused about
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I LOVED this book!
If you've ever owned or loved a dog, you will love Enzo, dog extraordinaire. The book summaries describe him as a philosopher, and we are treated to his thoughts on the meaning of life, on souls, on what comes after death, and more. Not in a pedantic way, but very anecdotal. He celebrates his own doggishness, while striving to curb his 'animal instincts' and live as a human would in order to 'earn' reincarnation as a human. He bemoans his lack of a thumb and a facile tongue to ...more
If you've ever owned or loved a dog, you will love Enzo, dog extraordinaire. The book summaries describe him as a philosopher, and we are treated to his thoughts on the meaning of life, on souls, on what comes after death, and more. Not in a pedantic way, but very anecdotal. He celebrates his own doggishness, while striving to curb his 'animal instincts' and live as a human would in order to 'earn' reincarnation as a human. He bemoans his lack of a thumb and a facile tongue to ...more
4.5 stars
you need to be in the right frame of mind to read this book. as the narrator, a dog named Enzo who believes he's about done with the dog's life and due to be reincarnated as human, would say: you have to feel the moment and live in the now and all that jazz. thinking too literally, too coldly scientific, will sap all the joy out of this charmer (believe me, i tried: had to put it down after the first couple of chapters, but when i picked it up again 4 days later WHAT a difference).
this ...more
you need to be in the right frame of mind to read this book. as the narrator, a dog named Enzo who believes he's about done with the dog's life and due to be reincarnated as human, would say: you have to feel the moment and live in the now and all that jazz. thinking too literally, too coldly scientific, will sap all the joy out of this charmer (believe me, i tried: had to put it down after the first couple of chapters, but when i picked it up again 4 days later WHAT a difference).
this ...more
A sweet, touching story told by Enzo (a dog) about his love for both his owner Denny and the auto-racing that is Denny's passion. I enjoyed Enzo's voice and he is an interesting narrator and storyteller. He sees the world through a strong philosophy of life that's woven together from canine loyalty, a love of racing and the idea of a spirtual journay.
The primary conflict of the last third of the book, a criminal trial based on a fasle accusation, seemed a bit contrived to me, though it does make ...more
The primary conflict of the last third of the book, a criminal trial based on a fasle accusation, seemed a bit contrived to me, though it does make ...more
Touching, sometimes manipulative, but always a compelling story, with one of the most perfect endings I've ever read.
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Jul 28, 2010
Eric
marked it as to-read
Feb 14, 2011
Suz
marked it as tbr-kindle
May 02, 2012
Eric
marked it as to-read
Feb 26, 2015
Figgy
marked it as owned-but-not-read
Mar 29, 2016
Steelwhisper
marked it as definitely-not
