The Art of Racing in the Rain

“In Mongolia, when a dog dies, he is buried high in the hills so people cannot walk on his grave. The dog’s master whispers into the dog’s ear his wishes that the dog will return as a man in his next life. Then his tail is cut off and put beneath his head, and a piece of meat or fat is placed in his mouth to sustain his soul on its journey; before he is reincarnated, the dog’s soul is freed to travel the land, to run across the high desert plains for as long as it would like.

I learned that from a program on the National Geographic channel, so I believe it is true. Not all dogs return as men, they say; only those who are ready.

I am ready.”

Enzo knows he is different from other dogs: a philosopher with a nearly human soul (and an obsession with opposable thumbs), he has educated himself by watching television extensively, and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver. Through Denny, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition, and he sees that life, like racing, isn’t simply about going fast. Using the techniques needed on the race track, one can successfully navigate all of life’s ordeals.

On the eve of his death, Enzo takes stock of his life, recalling all that he and his family have been through: the sacrifices Denny has made to succeed professionally; the unexpected loss of Eve, Denny’s wife; the three-year battle over their daughter, Zoë, whose maternal grandparents pulled every string to gain custody. In the end, despite what he sees as his own limitations, Enzo comes through heroically to preserve the Swift family, holding in his heart the dream that Denny will become a racing champion with Zoë at his side.

A heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a beautifully crafted and captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life…as only a dog could tell it.

Video Book Trailer

Buy the Book

Dear Reader,

I am a big fan of reading, first and foremost, so I encourage you to get your books any way you can and in any format you prefer: e-readers, hardcover, paperback, audio; your local independent bookseller, a global e-tailer, a library, borrow from a friend, read over someone’s shoulder on the bus. All are good.

That being said, I encourage you to support your local businesses. Sometimes we forget that the stores in our home towns weave together a fabric that enriches our communities; if storefronts on our Main Streets go dark, our towns will lose their vitality, and we will suffer as a society. So if you can pre-order my book from your local bookstore, you will be helping your community as a whole, and you’ll rack up double-bonus karma points which can be redeemed as soon as your next lifetime!

If you don’t have a local bookstore in your community, I would love it if you used the Bookshop.org website to find a local bookseller nearby that can assist you.

Or, of course, any of these wonderful retailers are fine choices as well:

Comments are closed.