"The Art of Racing In the Rain"

[RoadHazard]

I don't usually recommend books, especially not novels, but I just finished a good one.

It's called "The Art of Racing In the Rain" by Garth Stein. Despite the title, it's not really a racing book. It's a novel that's interesting for two reasons:

1. The story is told from the point of view of a dog.
2. The dog's owner is a part-time racer

The dog, Enzo, likes to sit with his owner while he watches videotapes of old F1 races. Through these shared experiences the dog learns about what it's like to be a human. Someday he hopes to be a human himself. There's just enough racing content to keep SCCA fans happy but not so much that your wife or girlfriend won't enjoy the book, too. Two thumbs up!

The book is available in all the usual bookstores and online and, oddly enough, at Starbucks.

[cooleyjb]

I don't usually recommend books, especially not novels, but I just finished a good one.

It's called "The Art of Racing In the Rain" by Garth Stein. Despite the title, it's not really a racing book. It's a novel that's interesting for two reasons:

1. The story is told from the point of view of a dog.
2. The dog's owner is a part-time racer

The dog, Enzo, likes to sit with his owner while he watches videotapes of old F1 races. Through these shared experiences the dog learns about what it's like to be a human. Someday he hopes to be a human himself. There's just enough racing content to keep SCCA fans happy but not so much that your wife or girlfriend won't enjoy the book, too. Two thumbs up!

The book sis available in all the usual bookstores and online and, oddly enough, at Starbucks.

I'll also throw in a thumbs up for the book.

For a couple of reasons.

1. Real Good read
2. Garth Stein is a racer Spec Miata in the Pac NW
3. The book is sponsoring a Koni Challenge entry this year with Compass360

[Jim Garry]

I just finished reading the book. Wow. A great novel. At many points in the story the author shows how an understanding of many of the skills needed to be a good racer will also help with our lives in general.

Great ending!


Jim

[Zambo]

Bought it this past Sunday. Finished it on Monday. Could barely put it down. GREAT book. Do yourself a favor and read it.

Steve

[jmz]

was given the book from a non racing relative , took a look at the cover , thought , what the heck is the dog on the cover for ? wow was i impressed ! great book , have loaned it out like 10 times , if you have the chance read it ! john z

[coldtrackdays]

We've worked a lot with Garth Stein to promote his book and we covered his epic race with his rival, Sam Moses, at the Mazda Grand Prix of Portland. Here's a link to some of the coverage along with some guest postings from Garth Stein....

http://coldtrackdays.blogspot.com/search?q=Garth+Stein

[EYERACE]

from the point of view of a dog huh? ......... a dog only sees about 20/40 and in black and white like old TV's

so the print in the book is slightly fuzzy and there are no color embelishments or prints ?

if you rub the spine of the book, do some pages rustle or wag ?

is anyone's slightly chewed wet homework in the book ?

does the book like to hang out the window of the car on the way home from the bookstore ?

after a while does one get a greater and greater desire to read the book when sitting on a toilet ?

has the book had it's shots ?

OK, i'll knock it off.

[Ron Tebo]

I just got the book.... If anyone would like to read it after, I'll send it to you...All I ask is that you sign it and return it to me.

[racer27]

I picked up the book this weekend. Reading it with my daughter who is dog crazy. The chapters are short. We are thru the first 10, pretty good read so far... If anyone wants it after I'm done (Assuming she does not do a book report on it), I'd be more then happy to pass it on. At $25, no need to exopend the extra $$$. Just Let me know.

[Ron Tebo]

I just finished the book. What a terrific read, I definately had a lump in my throat at the end...

[Hawke]

I bought it for my wife for Christmas this year. She thinks I'm a real SNAG.

I have just finished reading it, it was a good read.

[Beartrax]

She thinks I'm a real SNAG.

Can you translate Austrailian to American? I'm not sure if "SNAG" is positive or negative...

Did she read the book?

I bought my wife rechargeable batteries for her digital camera.
(don't worry, she got other goodies, too)

[Monty M]

Another reply in favor of it. I saw the book on many of the "car" forums I frequent, and since all these people were recommending it, including ApexSpeed, I decided to try it.

While it is not exactly my style in terms of story/content, it is a great book and an easy read.

[mike g.]

One more thumbs up.. I picked it up and couldn't put it down. Girlfriend borrowed it and enjoyed it, and now her roommate is reading it, too...

good find!
-Mike

[sccadsr31]

Had to wait 2 months to get it from the library, read it in a couple of day, now my wife is sneaking off reading it every chance she gets... she keeps coming into the room drying her eyes.
David

[Revs2-12k]

Could'nt put it down last night, 1/2 way through already.....Thanks for recommending!

[Purple Frog]

Bought the last copy i could find in Durham/Chapel Hill on Tuesday. Read it yesterday in Maggie Valley. Better than many books i read this year. I can imagine a very colorful movie as the sequel.

[formulasuper]

I just got the book.... If anyone would like to read it after, I'll send it to you...All I ask is that you sign it and return it to me.

Wow! This is the first book I have read from cover to cover in many years, with only a 30 minute break for dinner. Couldn't put it down & highly recommend it to all road racers. As a racer & owner of two wonderful Chocolate Labs I could really relate to the story. Yes, it would make a fine movie & did bring back memories of Jonathan Livingston Seagull that I enjoyed reading years ago when first learning to fly. Thank you Ron Tebo for loaning me the book, I'll be forwarding it to the next reader today.

[Ron Tebo]

Steve is sending the book to racer6, if anyone else would like to read it, let him know...The nice thing about a good book is that it can't be read too many times.

[Hawke]

Beartrax,

Sorry I missed your post. SNAG is Australian for Senestive New Age Guy.

[Beartrax]

I finished the book last weekend and really liked it. I found a copy at my local library.

[Ron Tebo]

racer60429@peoplepc.com

if anyone would like to read it, let him know....

[Mike Milner]

A racing pal and true friend gifted this fun book to me last week . It is absolutely fantastic .
I had a blast laughing , crying and racing from page to page with all it's adventures .
I highly recommend it to everyone ....... Whether you are a human , dog , racing driver or all of the above . You're gunna love it .

Thanks Garth .

[Jim Garry]

The movie rights to The Art of Racing in the Rain have been purchased by actor and endurance racer Patrick Dempsey! This is great news. We could actually be getting a truly well done racing movie a few years down the line.

http://coldtrackdays.blogspot.com/20...n-patrick.html

I just think Dempsey is too pretty to play the role of Denny.

[FV07]

Read it about a month ago and just bought a copy for a car guy friends 50 bday. He happens to be a vetrinarian. Should be a good read for him.

Jim A.

[Dave Woodmancy]

Just another for this book. Throughly enjoyed it! I recommend it for anyone, but certainly racers.

Dave

[formulasuper]

The movie rights to The Art of Racing in the Rain have been purchased by actor and endurance racer Patrick Dempsey! This is great news. We could actually be getting a truly well done racing movie a few years down the line.

http://coldtrackdays.blogspot.com/20...n-patrick.html

I just think Dempsey is too pretty to play the role of Denny.

I don't know about that, in my manly opinion most Labs are prettier than Dempsey!

[Mike Milner]

My Wife , Treva , and I met Garth today in Scottsdale at a book signing . What a pleasure . He is a real gentleman and a very interesting fellow to talk to . He's the real deal .....A talented writer and a genuine racer .
I am looking forward to his next book .

[Ron Tebo]

Deborah Inskip has the book now (rnodeb@aol.com) If anyone would like to read it , she will pass it on....

[Jim Garry]

Just read a blog by Patrick Dempsey over on speedtv.com:

We made a very clear decision as a team that I was going to take the midseason off to go and get some movies in the can, to work on the development part of the movie I’m producing, The Art of Racing in the Rain, and hopefully we'll start shooting that the first of next year.

I'm looking forward to a movie made from a good novel written by a racer, based on racing, and produced by someone who understands racing.

[Monte]

Looks like this thread goes back a couple of years. The book was given to me by a friend after I was racing a year or two. It was the only book that I have read cover to cover in many years. I have the attention span of a gnat. And I read it twice. The fact that a dog is the narrator just makes it better. Interested in the movie. Big time.

[racer27]

I hear tentitive date on the movie opening is Feb 14th, but doubt that as casting and director are not yet set.

[Ron Tebo]

just got it back from the 15'th person who have read it. and everyone loved it and even had some of their friends read it. it's getting a little tattered but holding it's own.

on an other note, a few years ago i ran a post called "the first time" recounting memories of the first race having competed in a race car. lots of good memories from several drivers. i wish i could find it again.

[Ralph Z.]

[QUOTE=EYERACE;191791]from the point of view of a dog huh? ......... a dog only sees about 20/40 and in black and white like old TV's

I know people who "see" a lot less.

[provamo]

not a bad read, one of my sister's had read it and passed it on to me

[TimH]

My wife (dog person, not all that interested in racing) complained it didn't have enough about racing in the rain, so I gave it a pass. Now have to take another look.

By the way, who else loves the Chet & Bernie mystery stories (told in first person by Chet the dog - he's not the brains of the outfit but brings other things to the table)?

[provamo]

My wife (dog person, not all that interested in racing) complained it didn't have enough about racing in the rain, so I gave it a pass. Now have to take another look.

By the way, who else loves the Chet & Bernie mystery stories (told in first person by Chet the dog - he's not the brains of the outfit but brings other things to the table)?

perhaps the "racing is the rain" was a metaphor for other aspects of the novel

[Lee Follansbee]

This is another book b y the same author - short writeup on Amazon sounds like the two books are the same. Anyone know for sure if the story is the same?

[Tiago Santos]

This is another book b y the same author - short writeup on Amazon sounds like the two books are the same. Anyone know for sure if the story is the same?

I believe it's the same story but written in a slightly more child friendly way

[Hartley]

You should all read a great book written by one of our own racers Mike Campanelli. Mike is a a very accomplished Formula Atlantic racer who had his first book 'Time Transporters' published recently. A great novel and I recommend it!