Book Club Kits: The Art of Racing in the Rain

Visit the author's website.

Follow the author on

Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads.

To request this kit, click link above.

Alamance County Public Libraries provide free and open access to lifelong learning, resources for everyday living, and reading for pleasure in a welcoming environment.  Our collections, services and programs enhance the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities. Contact the Library webmaster.

Alamance County Public Libraries operates as a Department of Alamance County Government.  Visit the Alamance County Website at www.alamance-nc.com.

Enzo knows he is different from other dogs: a philosopher with a nearly human soul (and an obsession with opposable thumbs), he has educated himself by watching television extensively, and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver. Through Denny, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition, and he sees that life, like racing, isn't simply about going fast. Using the techniques needed on the race track, one can successfully navigate all of life's ordeals.

On the eve of his death, Enzo takes stock of his life, recalling all that he and his family have been through: the sacrifices Denny has made to succeed professionally; the unexpected loss of Eve, Denny's wife; the three-year battle over their daughter, Zoë, whose maternal grandparents pulled every string to gain custody. In the end, despite what he sees as his own limitations, Enzo comes through heroically to preserve the Swift family, holding in his heart the dream that Denny will become a racing champion with Zoë at his side.

A heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a beautifully crafted and captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life...as only a dog could tell it.

Read an excerpt.

• Some early readers of the novel have observed that viewing the world through a dog’s eyes makes for a greater appreciation of being human. Why do you think this is?
  
  
• Enzo’s observations throughout the novel provide insight into his world view. For example:
  
  • “The visible becomes inevitable.”
  • “Understanding the truth is simple. Allowing oneself to experience it, is often terrifically difficult.”
  • “No race has ever been won in the first corner; many races have been lost there.”
  
  How does his philosophy apply to real life?
  
  
• In the book's darkest moments, one of Zoe's stuffed animals --- the zebra --- comes to life and threatens him. What does the zebra symbolize?
  
  
• Can you imagine the novel being told from Denny’s point of view? How would it make the story different?
  
  
• In the first chapter, Enzo says: “It's what's inside that's important. The soul. And my soul is very human.” How does Enzo's situation --- a human soul trapped in a dog's body --- influence his opinions about what he sees around him? How do you feel about the ideas of reincarnation and karma as Enzo defines them?
  
  
• Do you find yourself looking at your own dog differently after reading this novel?
  
  
• In the book, we get glimpses into the mindset and mentality of a race car driver. What parallels can you think of between the art of racing and the art of living?
  
  
• The character of Ayrton Senna, as he is presented in the book, is heroic, almost a mythic figure. Why do you think this character resonates so strongly for Denny?

View more videos from Garth Stein.