The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

Every so often you read a book that is, well, lovely. That is compelling and sad and funny and makes you read it despite the requests for lunch and let's go shopping from the children. This year it was this book.


I don't own a dog, but if I did I would want one like Enzo. He is faithful, intelligent and believes that when he dies he will be reincarnated as a man (he watched it on National Geographic where it is, apparently, what they believe in Mongolia.) He lives with Denny who is a good racing driver and then with Eve (wife) and the baby. Through all the twists and turns of life, Enzo keeps on telling the story from his point of view. What would, as a simple story, be just another bad luck tale is made into a lovely story because of the character of Enzo. It's a real weepy, a two-hanky book that I loved.
And the title? Enzo and Denny watch racing (motor racing) together at times of stress and the secret to being a great driver is to perfect the art of racing in the rain.