From the Bookshelf of Q&A with Garth Stein…
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What Members Thought
I love fiction like this. Fiction that is this well told, with well developed three dimensional characters, and a story that is thoroughly absorbing.
The story is told in the first person. The novel twist is that the first "person" is a dog named Enzo. Enzo is an astute observer of his master's life, and has a lot of wisdom to impart, if only someone could hear him.
Who knows if dogs really think this deeply, and wax poetic about life's ironies and victories and tragedies? I like to think that the ...more
The story is told in the first person. The novel twist is that the first "person" is a dog named Enzo. Enzo is an astute observer of his master's life, and has a lot of wisdom to impart, if only someone could hear him.
Who knows if dogs really think this deeply, and wax poetic about life's ironies and victories and tragedies? I like to think that the ...more
"That which you manifest is before you."
"The car goes where the eyes go."
This is a book about the trials of life. This is a book about the possibilities of life. This book is sad. This book is hopeful.
This is not a book about racing. But the book does talk about racing and its lessons for life. The protagonist (Denny) is a racer, a husband and a father. Pretty much every bit about road racing in this book is accurate, and that is very impressive. Garth Stein may not be a racer, but he must be an ...more
"The car goes where the eyes go."
This is a book about the trials of life. This is a book about the possibilities of life. This book is sad. This book is hopeful.
This is not a book about racing. But the book does talk about racing and its lessons for life. The protagonist (Denny) is a racer, a husband and a father. Pretty much every bit about road racing in this book is accurate, and that is very impressive. Garth Stein may not be a racer, but he must be an ...more
If I could give this book 10 stars, I would. I LOVED this book; it's now one of my all-time favorites. It made me laugh out loud in parts, and literally had me sobbing into piles of tissue at the end. Enzo is such a brave, loving, loyal, smart dog whose goal is to become a man in his next life. I loved his voice - it was never "cutesy" and sounded just like a dog would talk if he could. I don't have a dog, but it makes me want one. Somehow I think this story could never have been told by a cat!
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Simply amazing. One of my all time favorites.
Dear Enzo:
If only we humans could all be as wise and amazing as you.
I just finished sobbing my way through the last 20 pages of this wonderful, inspiring, moving and unique novel. The book is told from the perspective of Enzo, a very old dog, about his master, Denny Swift's life, trials and tribulations, and his own wish to reincarnate as a human.
It blew me away and I wish I could read it all over again.
You will love this book, whether you are interested in racing cars, dogs or literature.
An ...more
If only we humans could all be as wise and amazing as you.
I just finished sobbing my way through the last 20 pages of this wonderful, inspiring, moving and unique novel. The book is told from the perspective of Enzo, a very old dog, about his master, Denny Swift's life, trials and tribulations, and his own wish to reincarnate as a human.
It blew me away and I wish I could read it all over again.
You will love this book, whether you are interested in racing cars, dogs or literature.
An ...more
When the narrator is a dog, a book is already over the top. But, that being said, I really loved this book. The dog is a thinking, reasoning being, very human, except that he can't speak. He has educated himself by watching TV.
He watches over and worries as his master Denny goes through a mess of trouble, beginning with the illness and death of his wife, the interference of his in-laws and the loss of his daughter.
Denny is a Formula 1 racecar driver, hence the title and transparent symbolism of ...more
He watches over and worries as his master Denny goes through a mess of trouble, beginning with the illness and death of his wife, the interference of his in-laws and the loss of his daughter.
Denny is a Formula 1 racecar driver, hence the title and transparent symbolism of ...more
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Dogs all over the world will enjoy extra hugs and treats from owners who read this book. Any sane reader recognizes that Enzo and his thoughts are fictional, but for the duration of the book Mr. Stein manages to make the reader believe otherwise. "Racing" is a story of great love and friendship between man and pooch. Great enough to make you cry at the end, find your doggie, and scratch her behind the ears.
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This was a surprisingly good read. I never would have chosen it myself as I'm not a "dog person" and I don't know or care anything about car racing. I read it for book club. This book had a lot of interesting insights and a good plot. It was written in first person from the dog's point of view. I really enjoyed it.
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Absolutely one of my favorites of the year. Living in the Northwest, I could with so much of the book. If one is an animal lover, and I mean lover, this book will grab your heartstrings from the beginning. It is unforgettable.
I officially have a new favorite book. I haven't felt so involved and invested in a book since at least before high school. The writing in this novel is magnificent. It's a multi-level story narrated by a philosophical dog looking at humanity through the experience of the family he lives with, and his exposure to t.v. documentaries and Formula One race car driving. This is truly a wonderful example of a new classic literary piece. I plan to read this book over and over again.
*** I have read this ...more
*** I have read this ...more
A wonderful, moving, emotionally powerful story told from the point-of-view of a wise and loving dog.
I couldn't put this book down the moment I started reading it. Garth Stein uses competitive car racing as a metaphor throughout the book. I wasn't sure if I was going to connect with all the car racing terms and descriptions since I'm not a huge fan of Formula One or NASCAR. However Enzo and Denny are very endearing, and the trials they go through together keeps you hooked till the end. It's a wonderful story about life and how to face the bumps, the turns, the rain and other drivers on the road
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Narrated by the main characters dog, this book was surprisingly good. Even if you don't like dogs, you'll like this book. It's the story of a professional race car driver's life from when he adopted his dog, but seen through the eyes of the canine. It's totally heart felt and just have the Kleenex ready. You may think it's a chick book, but there's lots of car racing lingo and descriptions to keep guys into it too.
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Enzo is more pragmatic than most humans. Yet his great desire is to be reborn as a man.
Enzo, you see, is a dog. Not just any dog, though. He’s a real zen-master of a dog, providing some excellent advice for all—as well as enough laughs and tears to use up a box or so of tissues—throughout this thoroughly enjoyable book by Garth Stein.
Enzo, you see, is a dog. Not just any dog, though. He’s a real zen-master of a dog, providing some excellent advice for all—as well as enough laughs and tears to use up a box or so of tissues—throughout this thoroughly enjoyable book by Garth Stein.
This book is awesome. For those of you whom do not know, I struggle with books keeping my interest. I flew through this one in less than a week. Which in normal readers time that is a DAY!! LOL. If you are a dog lover or liker, you'll get inspiration from this one
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Recommended to everyone I know! If you love dogs, there's a good chance you'll love this book. A picture of life written from their dog's perspective. A good dash of car racing included. Both sad and happy times - get the tissues.
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LOVED this book! It made me cry, think, and smile... the racing metaphors are quote worthy!
