Scan barcode
lphreads's review against another edition
4.5
Y’all I typed out a review for this then goodreads lost it I am SO UPSET.
Here is the rewritten version:
I don’t think I’ve ever read another book that had me crying in both the first and last chapters. I will forever associate this one with that random night in October when, on a whim, I decided to read the first chapter. I haven’t been that devastated so quickly by another book, ever. But I think that’s the best compliment I could give a book - highlighting its ability to make me feel.
Personally, I really really enjoyed reading from a Enzo (the dog)‘s perspective. I understand, at times, while some reviewers saw it as a downfall of the book, but I don’t think the story would have hit as hard as it did when you are seeing it through Enzo’s eyes. At its core, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a story about a man and his dog, and the bond they have over the years. I don’t think Denny’s story would have been nearly as compelling if we weren’t viewing it through Enzo’s eyes, and the book is better for that.
The book itself flows very well, with simple language and short chapters, it should be an easy read if you have the time and attention span! The characters are overall likable, with Denny being easily the most fleshed out characters. There’s a lot left to the imagination when it comes to the side characters, though I really enjoyed the descriptions of some of the side characters offered by Enzo.
The biggest downfall of the book, and one of the reasons it isn’t quite a 5-star read, is the way that it falls into the category of “you can just tell a man wrote that.” When I say that, I’m mainly referring to the way that Stein describes women a couple of times in the book. I think, in part, this can be chalked up to the year (2008 - or earlier) the book was written, but it is still enough to make a gal cringe at times.
Otherwise, the only other real critique I had was the fact that the biggest conflicts of the book seem to be resolved quite quickly and neatly right at the end. Normally, this would be something that bothers me a bit more, but it’s not something I would really have recommended be changed in this instance because the main focus of the book is on Denny and Enzo’s relationship, not the courtroom drama that ensues.
Overall, it’s a solid 4-star read. It you’re a dog person (or anyone with a pet), I think The Art of Racing in the Rain will be relatable, heartwarming, and heartbreaking all at once. I would recommend giving it a try.
Here is the rewritten version:
I don’t think I’ve ever read another book that had me crying in both the first and last chapters. I will forever associate this one with that random night in October when, on a whim, I decided to read the first chapter. I haven’t been that devastated so quickly by another book, ever. But I think that’s the best compliment I could give a book - highlighting its ability to make me feel.
Personally, I really really enjoyed reading from a Enzo (the dog)‘s perspective. I understand, at times, while some reviewers saw it as a downfall of the book, but I don’t think the story would have hit as hard as it did when you are seeing it through Enzo’s eyes. At its core, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a story about a man and his dog, and the bond they have over the years. I don’t think Denny’s story would have been nearly as compelling if we weren’t viewing it through Enzo’s eyes, and the book is better for that.
The book itself flows very well, with simple language and short chapters, it should be an easy read if you have the time and attention span! The characters are overall likable, with Denny being easily the most fleshed out characters. There’s a lot left to the imagination when it comes to the side characters, though I really enjoyed the descriptions of some of the side characters offered by Enzo.
The biggest downfall of the book, and one of the reasons it isn’t quite a 5-star read, is the way that it falls into the category of “you can just tell a man wrote that.” When I say that, I’m mainly referring to the way that Stein describes women a couple of times in the book. I think, in part, this can be chalked up to the year (2008 - or earlier) the book was written, but it is still enough to make a gal cringe at times.
Otherwise, the only other real critique I had was the fact that the biggest conflicts of the book seem to be resolved quite quickly and neatly right at the end. Normally, this would be something that bothers me a bit more, but it’s not something I would really have recommended be changed in this instance because the main focus of the book is on Denny and Enzo’s relationship, not the courtroom drama that ensues.
Overall, it’s a solid 4-star read. It you’re a dog person (or anyone with a pet), I think The Art of Racing in the Rain will be relatable, heartwarming, and heartbreaking all at once. I would recommend giving it a try.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Terminal illness, Rape, Death of parent, Animal death, and Cancer
Minor: Pedophilia
alexisgarcia's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
while i liked the story being told from the perspective of the dog, some parts of this just made me uncomfortable. there were some really gross comments made about a young teen girl in this which just grossed me out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Sexual assault, Cancer, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Sexual content, Animal death, Sexual harassment, Terminal illness, Sexual violence, and Death
readingstation's review
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death and Sexual assault
maggievanningen's review
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death and Sexual assault
brie_fern's review
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Sexual assault, Grief, and Death
meganrae047's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Animal death, Cancer, and Death
Minor: Sexual assault
annelihghh's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Medical content, Death of parent, Grief, Animal death, Cancer, Classism, Pregnancy, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Alcohol, and Chronic illness
saoreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The writing was very casual and goofy-like. It somehow emitted the persona of a dog itself, something easy to process and simply defined. In the proceeding chapters, it was so infuriating and grief-inducing that it wanted you to lash out and scream at the world how difficult it was for the love of your life to be taken away from him due to death, and in the process, even how close his child was due to custody. It definitely is a book that taught me plenty. At first, I was unused to it and found it unfamiliar and surely unrelatable due to car and racing terminologies, yet how the narrator wishes to speak to its audience using those as metaphors made it indeed soothing to read and, I ugly cried.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death of parent, Death, Sexual assault, Abandonment, Animal death, and Grief
annamontana's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I love a book with an unusual narrator and Enzo is definitely that. I knew the story before reading the book as I had watched the movie, which stayed close to the story line. Because I knew the story line I was not surprised at the family drama.
For those of you who are not familiar with the story line, it is a book about racing, it is a book about a dog, but mostly it is a book about family. The good parts of family and the bad parts as well. Because it is told from the viewpoint of the dog there is truth revealed in unique and poignant ways.
For those of you who are not familiar with the story line, it is a book about racing, it is a book about a dog, but mostly it is a book about family. The good parts of family and the bad parts as well. Because it is told from the viewpoint of the dog there is truth revealed in unique and poignant ways.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Death, and Animal death
joymia24's review
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
it was so good! it had some comedy, drama, sadness, and all that stuff. the ending held so many emotions which just made the book so much better. definitely recommend this book if you want a different perspective on a fascinating story about Enzo (the dog) and his owner (Denny) and the many trials and triumphs they face throughout the book. also if you like cars i recommend!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Cursing, and Animal death
Minor: Sexual assault