A review by bites_of_books
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

adventurous dark emotional funny inspiring reflective sad tense fast-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

2.75

This was a really sad book that was really effective at pushing my emotional buttons...until it did something that took me way out of the story.

I understand that something was needed to make Danny seem like an unfit parent but the whole plot point about sexual assault from an underage girl felt truly unnecessary and written without nuance or care.

Overall I liked the story, even though at times I struggled to suspend my disbelief. I do like dogs and to me this dog didn't like himself very much, which seems completely against what dogs are like. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Grief, and Death of parent