Sarah Gruen, who wrote Water for Elephants, describes the narrator of Stein's The Art of Racing in the Rain: "This old soul of a dog has much to teach us about being human." She adds that she loved the novel.
I must admit I loved it, too!
Enzo believes that special dogs come back as humans in the next life. He also believes he might be a special dog who will be able to give advice and transmit all his knowledge of people, racing and love that he has gained in this life after rebirth as a person in the next.
This special dog lives with his racing driver owner, the owner's wife, and their little girl, Zoe. The family goes through deep love, extreme trauma, and the depths of despair while always comforted by their compassionate and intelligent pet. He prvides comfort when they are sad, is joyful when they are happy, and admonishes them when they need it.Wally Lamb describes the story as "a meditation on humility and hope in the face of despair." Hope, faith, and desire to be a rock of strength for the people he loves, Enzo displays all of these traits.
The spirituality of Enzo's narrative shows that people-or animals and people-who are destined to go through life together have souls that stay together, no matter what life or death may bring.
Thanks to Ann A. for recommending this book.
The story of life from a dog's point of view is very revealing of the attitudes of humans toward animals and each other. Enzo is a dog any owner would be proud to call his best friend. He tells us about the journey of his life from puppyhood to old age and illness. Along the way, we learn to love him and the humans he loves. We also learn to loathe those he loathes. The ending is very special and uplifting.
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