About the Book
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.
About the Author
Garth Stein is the author of three novels: The Art of Racing in the Rain (Harper, 2008); How Evan Broke His Head and Other Secrets (Soho Press, 2005), which won a 2006 Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Book Award, and was a Book Sense Pick in both hardcover and paperback; and Raven Stole the Moon (Pocket, 1998). He has also written a full-length play, Brother Jones, which received its first production in Los Angeles, in February, 2005, and was described as “brimming with intensity,” by the L.A. Weekly.
After receiving his B.A. from Columbia College (1987), and his M.F.A. in film from Columbia University, School of the Arts (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 family and his dog, Comet.
Read The Daily News Profile story on Garth Stein
2011 Update
An anticipated novel didn’t arrive in 2011, but Stein still provided readers with a new look at an old friend. “Racing in the Rain: My Life as a Dog” is a young reader version of the perennially popular “The Art of Racing in the Rain.” The story’s the same, but strong language and allegations of sexual molestation have been removed to make the book more appropriate for 8 to 12 year old readers.
Stein’s next adult novel is back on track. He says he recently finished a draft of his next book, “A Sudden Light.” He’s working on rewrites now, he tells us, with an eye towards a fall or spring 2013 release.
Stein says 2011 also “marked another successful year with our non-profit, Seattle7Writers, an organization comprised of 49 Northwest authors poised to do good deeds in the literary community.”
“The Art of Racing in the Rain” remains a top-10 staple on best-seller lists four years after its original release.
To Read more about the author visit these sites:
http://www.garthstein.com/
Garth Stein is now on Facebook
Garth Stein discusses The Art of Racing in the Rain on Youtube
Other Works by the author
A Sudden Light, Simon & Schuster, 2014
Raven Stole the Moon, Harper Press, 2010
How Evan Broke his Head and Other Secrets, Soho Press, 2008
Brother Jones (Play)
When your heads not a head it’s a nut (Video/DVD) 2008
No One calls me Mutt anymore (Play) 2010
View Photos from Garth Steins visit
Watch Videos of Garth’s visit
