Garth Stein
publisher
Harper
format
Paperback
pages
336
Frank Delaney
The Flight of Gemma Hardy
Margot Livesey
American Dervish
Ayad Akhtar
Time and Again
Jack Finney
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.
Garth Stein is the author of the New York Times best selling literary novel, The Art of Racing in the Rain (Harper, 2008). Now published in 23 languages, The Art of Racing in the Rain was the #1 BookSense selection for June, 2008, the Starbucks spring/summer 2008 book selection, and has been on the IndieBound™ bestseller list since its publication. Stein's previous novel, How Evan Broke His Head and Other Secrets (Soho Press, 2005) won a Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Award, and was a BookSense Pick in both hardcover and paperback. Raven Stole the Moon (Pocket, 1998) was Stein's first novel. He has also written a full-length play, Brother Jones, and produced a number of award-winning documentaries.
With an M.F.A. in film from Columbia University (1990), Garth worked as a documentary film maker for several years, and directed, produced, or co-produced several award winning films.
Born in Los Angeles and raised in Seattle, Garth's ancestry is diverse: his mother, a native of Alaska, is of Tlingit Indian and Irish descent; his father, a Brooklyn native, is the child of Jewish emigrants from Austria. After spending his childhood in Seattle and then living in New York City for 18 years, Garth returned to Seattle, where he currently lives with his wife, three sons, and their dog, Comet.
Beyond the book
Garth is a good friend, and several of my book groups have had phone chats with him. Of course, we’d rather have him with us, but talking with Garth opens up the book and its characters; it so enriches and enhances one’s reading experience. Carol Fitzgerald interviewed Garth when we were all together in San Jose at BookGroupExpo last October, and you can read her interview on ReadingGroupGuides.com, October 28, 2008------ after you read the book!
Visit Garth Stein's site here