The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein – 3.5 stars

[Jen]

Honestly, after years of hearing about this book, I thought it would be something else entirely. It’s definitely sad, but not in the same way as Marley and Me, and even though Enzo narrates, it didn’t feel as dog-centric as I expected.

The book is super popular, but I just didn’t connect with it as much as I hoped—maybe it was the timing or the writing style. There’s a moment early on with Denny that made it tough for me to warm up to him, and that stuck around. I didn’t dislike the book, but it just didn’t meet my expectations. Still, I have a soft spot for Enzo—he’s the real heart of the story.

[Robin P]

I felt manipulated by this book, like the author had to pile on the tragedy and tearjerking. I really liked Enzo but the humans were mostly horrible. I think I gave it 3 stars.

[Holly R W]

This book was recently recommended to me. After reading your review and seeing Robin's comment, I think I'll skip it. Off my TBR it goes!

[Jen]

Robin P wrote: "I felt manipulated by this book, like the author had to pile on the tragedy and tearjerking. I really liked Enzo but the humans were mostly horrible. I think I gave it 3 stars."

yeah, even with popular books I try to avoid learning too much about them before I go into them and this just...wasn't what I thought it was going to be.

[Robin P]

Besides those who are concerned about what happens to the dog in books might not like some things in it.

[Booknblues]

I have long felt guilty over my mediocre rating of 3 stars for this book.

Enzo didn't sing dog voice like Chet in the Chet and Bernie books.

But more than that I was really turned off about making a teenage girl a villain for claiming rape. As we know teenage girls are often ignored or made villains when they are in fact victims.

Even writing this, I am still a little steamed about this and the fact that nobody mentions it and I read it in 2012..

[Joanne]

I took this off my TBR quite a while ago, when trusted readers were only giving the book, which I thought would be 4 stars at least, only 3 stars or lower. Now that I have read your comment, Fran, I know I made the right decision.