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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
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