The Art of Racing in the Rain

I should state up front, that I am not a fan of books that are told from the point of view of an animal. So many writers try to force a "new" point of view on a situation by describing it through the eyes of an animal, and I often find it a contrived and weak effort. Therefore, when this book was first recommended to me by a friend, I had no intention of reading it. Then I heard about it from several other people, all with glowing reviews, so I thought I would give it a try. No one was more surprised then I was when I ended up loving this book.

Enzo, the dog narrator of this story, has a uniquely insightful and witty voice. The book opens with Enzo's awareness that he is dying, and the book is his look back at his life. By the time the we return to the scene of Enzo's death, at the end, I was moved to tears. This story delves deeply into seemingly impossible dreams, complicated family relationships, the catastrophic loss of spouse, and unconditional love in its many forms. While not "light" reading, I did read this while on vacation at the beach this summer, so I can recommend it as a great vacation read. Feel free to offer your thoughts on this book in the comments section below. Have a great wonderful holiday season and break, and I will see you again for another great book in January!

Booklist (March 15, 2008 (Vol. 104, No. 14))

Enzo the dog feels sure that his next life will be spent in a man’s body. In preparation, he closely studies human behavior, and it’s from Enzo’s observant point of view that Stein writes his moving third novel. Enzo is deeply jealous when his owner, Denny, falls in love with Eve, but after baby Zoe is born, Enzo assumes his role as the family’s unconditional protector, particularly after Eve is diagnosed with brain cancer. After Eve’s death, her parents drag Denny into a bitter custody battle for Zoe, and Enzo, despite his canine limitations, passionately defends Denny and even alters the course of events. Denny is a race-car driver, and Enzo, who has watched countless televised races, folds thrilling track scenes and driving lessons into the terse family drama. The metaphors may feel purposeful, but readers will nonetheless delight in Enzo’s wild, original voice; his aching insights into the limitations and joys of the canine and human worlds; and his infinite capacity for love.

Room: A Novel by Emma Donoghue

It is rare that I have to put down a book, because the subject matter is so upsetting. It is even more rare that the storyline is so compelling, and the story telling so brilliant, that I feel I have to pick the book up again and finish reading it. This was the case with Room. The story is told completely through the eyes of 5 year old Jack. Right from the start it is clear that there is something very odd about Jack's life. Jack's mother, Ma, has created a world for Jack full of creativity, learning, and fun within the 11X11 foot garden shed in which they are being held prisoner. Ma manages to shield Jack from most of the horror of their situation, but it soon becomes obvious that she must renew her efforts to escape. Despite this book's profoundly disturbing premise, I was completely swept away by this story. While it may not make an easy "vacation read" it is a work that is certainly not to be missed. I would love to hear your thoughts on this amazing novel. Please click on "comments" below, and let me know what you think of Room.


Kirkus Review starred (August 1, 2010)

Talented, versatile Donoghue (The Sealed Letter, 2008, etc.) relates a searing tale of survival and recovery, in the voice of a five-year-old boy. Jack has never known a life beyond Room. His Ma gave birth to him on Rug; the stains are still there. At night, he has to stay in Wardrobe when Old Nick comes to visit. Still, he and Ma have a comfortable routine, with daily activities like Phys Ed and Laundry. Jack knows how to read and do math, but has no idea the images he sees on the television represent a real world. We gradually learn that Ma (we never know her name) was abducted and imprisoned in a backyard shed when she was 19; her captor brings them food and other necessities, but he's capricious. An ugly incident after Jack attracts Old Nick's unwelcome attention renews Ma's determination to liberate herself and her son; the book's first half climaxes with a nail-biting escape. Donoghue brilliantly shows mother and son grappling with very different issues as they adjust to freedom. "In Room I was safe and Outside is the scary," Jack thinks, unnerved by new things like showers, grass and window shades. He clings to the familiar objects rescued from Room (their abuser has been found), while Ma flinches at these physical reminders of her captivity. Desperate to return to normalcy, she has to grapple with a son who has never known normalcy and isn't sure he likes it. In the story's most heartbreaking moments, it seems that Ma may be unable to live with the choices she made to protect Jack. But his narration reveals that she's nurtured a smart, perceptive and willful boy-odd, for sure, but resilient, and surely Ma can find that resilience in herself. A haunting final scene doesn't promise quick cures, but shows Jack and Ma putting the past behind them. Wrenching, as befits the grim subject matter, but also tender, touching and at times unexpectedly funny.