The Art of Racing in the Rain

Dangerous Doug · #1 (**permalink**) 08-26-2009, 07:35 PM

Okay, if you love cars, racing, and dogs, you've got to read, "The Art of Racing in the Rain".

I first heard about this book in Road&Track (I think...). The life of a budding race car driver, as told from the perspective of his dog.

You'll never look at your dog the same way again...

I read it, and turned it on to my wife, who just finished it. We both agree: I need to take our German Shepherd for a ride in the Cobra.

DD

Argess · #2 (**permalink**) 08-26-2009, 08:13 PM

After watching "Grand Prix" with James Garner, I can assuredly say, "I never want to race in the rain!" Those guys are (were) crazy.

Or has the book nothing to do with "wet weather"...sort of like "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" has little to do with mechanics?

Cobra Lite · #3 (**permalink**) 08-26-2009, 08:34 PM

It is an excellent read.
Very bittersweet as one review says.
So much sadness that is common in life.
The story is not so much about racing as it is in living.
Learning what life is, not what we want it to be.

I am glad to say the ending is good.
Upbeat, yet believable.
Expect tears to flow while you read the book.
If you don't have a dog, you may be tempted to get one.
They truly are our best friends in so many ways.

The racing parts are written by a racer so it is a nice change from the usual butchery of our activities.
But the book is about so much more so don't expect a "racing" story.
I felt it portrayed individuals as they really are, not all good, not all bad.
Each one doing what they think is best in the situations.

I wish I could be half the man Denny Swift is. The way he deals with absolute tragedy, while not at all easy for him, is the best way possible.

My wife, not interested in cars or racing, also read the book and agrees that it is excellent, and while it has many very sad parts, it is not a depressing story at all, rather, that it shows what we can be even though tragedy knocks most of us down. She gives it two thumbs up and a box of Kleenex.

Highly recommended

4pipes · #4 (**permalink**) 08-26-2009, 10:56 PM

I loved it. Now I have to be careful what I say to my dog, just in case he writes a book.

Dangerous Doug · #5 (**permalink**) 08-27-2009, 09:04 AM

It does complicate life, though: I used to just wonder what the hell my wife was thinking. Now, I have to wonder what both my wife and my dog are thinking...

DD

bobcowan · #6 (**permalink**) 08-27-2009, 01:58 PM

I read this a few months ago. Outstanding book. I'v never read a story written from the dog's perspective. I purchased the book, so I'll be able to read it again.

vector1 · #7 (**permalink**) 08-27-2009, 04:57 PM

i've heard of the book, haven't read it. speaking of racing in the rain........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YX-psv4OaSI

elmariachi · #8 (**permalink**) 09-02-2009, 08:51 AM

Bought this book and read it this weekend. It would make a good Hallmark Channel movie, quite sappy. I have long contended my dog sits in my recliner, drinks my beer, uses my remote and talks on my phone when we are all gone. However, the dog ain't ever riding in the Cobra, ever.

Dangerous Doug · #9 (**permalink**) 09-16-2009, 10:08 PM

Well, elmariachi, you're missing out.

Heading out for gas tonight, and my German Shepherd had that pleading look of, "I wanna go with... I wanna go with..."

I'm a sucker for those big, brown eyes...

Anyhow, I blanketed the seat and coaxed him into the passenger seat---all 100 lbs. of him. He sat in the seat, front paws on the floorboard, head hanging out the side of the windshield, tongue hanging out. A trip into town for gas, and then a couple of passes down the freeway before heading home. Lots of smiles and nods from people at stoplights. Maybe they read the book, too.

Nice thing about a dog riding shotgun: he won't talk at your while you're trying to relax...

Cleaning the drool off the dashboard with windex was a small price to pay.

Yeah, the book was a little melodramatic. But, you have to admit: telling a story from a dog's perspective---especially a novel---is pretty clever.

DD

*13* · #10 (**permalink**) 09-16-2009, 10:17 PM

Sounds interesting. Think I'll pick it up. Thanks for the tip.

twobjshelbys · #11 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 07:42 PM

My daughter gave me a amazon.com gift certificate for my birthday, so I bought this and AJ's book. I already read AJ's book - I bought it to get CS to sign at the Shelby American Collection in December. The Racing in the Rain book will be going on a business trip.

twobjshelbys · #12 (**permalink**) 02-05-2010, 08:17 PM

I started The Art of Racing in the Rain on a plane flight from Baltimore before the storm started and just finished it this evening. That Enzo is quite a story teller. The story takes some twists that I did not expect.

I've insisted my wife read it. I told her she'll want to have a box of Kleenex nearby.

Dangerous Doug · #13 (**permalink**) 02-05-2010, 09:25 PM

Great book. Been passing it around friends and family. Everyone enjoys the read.

My take-away from the book was the basic theory that, as in life, when confronted with a water/rain obstacle, "you have to drive through it".

DD

MaSnaka · #14 (**permalink**) 02-05-2010, 09:40 PM

I read the book based on the earlier good reveiws here. Funny when my wife picked it up for me she did the double check..."are you sure this is the book your looking for? I really enjoyed reading it. I passed it on to my adult son when I was through. He liked it too. You will definetly huminize your dog and treat people and life a little differently. I like the fact Denny took responsibility for his destiny rather than blame others. A good read that will make you laugh and cry at several points.

John