Racing in The Rain, Chapters 1-10
As I read the first few chapters of our Winter Book Club selection, my 14 ½ year old Boston Terrier was splayed over my lap snoring loudly as tears made their way down my cheeks to dampen the pages of the book. I had to wonder if my Fiona, now struggling with arthritis and cataracts, ever had thoughts like those of Enzo, the narrator of our story; I swear that she has understood at least some of the conversations I have had with her over our years together. And I wondered how she viewed our time together and how she would tell the story of her life with me. I have to believe that she views me with the same reverence that Enzo ascribes to Denny, for as far as I can tell she has not only forgiven but perhaps even refused to acknowledge every annoying personality trait, mistake or major life screw-up that falls under my possession. Or, perhaps she, like Enzo, embodies the same wisdom of forgiveness that most consciously driven humans strive for, “…memory is time folding back on itself. To remember is to disengage from the present.” In other words, perhaps our pets judge us based only on who we are in the moment, practicing the definitive act of forgiveness: when the moment of transgression is gone, so is the transgression.
“…that which we manifest is before us; we are the creators of our own destiny. Be it through intention or ignorance, our successes and our failures have been brought on by none other than ourselves.” Enzo gleans this life lesson from listening to Denny talk about racing and then puts the philosophy into practice. In a scene that could be taken from new thought movies like What the Bleep or The Secret, Enzo realized that by changing his mood and energy he could effect a change in his relationship with Eve. Like a race car driver, Enzo possessed a deep knowing that we are each masters of all that surrounds us. Do you hold the knowing that your perceptions and thoughts create your life story and are you able to live from this knowing? Did reading these first few chapters of Enzo’s story inspire you to embrace this philosophy? Have you ever tried mindfully changing how you show up in life to see how life will then show up for you? What other aspects of Enzo’s story in these first few chapters did you find meaningful?
I look forward to reading your thoughts and perceptions on these first few chapters.
Happy Reading,
Seraphina
I came home from work today to find my new “used” book ” The Art of Racing in the Rain” had arrived in the mail. It is now evening and all my work is finished. Time to relax and read. I read the first chapter, loving how easy the words captured feelings I have had in my head. I too would love to be able to take all my thoughts and memories with me into my next life. To “Try and imprint what I know on my soul, a thing that has no surface, no sides, no pages, no form of any kind”.
I can understand how Enzo would want to set Denny free. Such a beautiful act. Needless to say, the first chapter is as far as I could go since I was quietly sobbing by the last words. I look forward to reading this love story.
This is a beautiful story so far. I look forward to reading tomorrow.
I must say that I am in love with this book thus far and I am only ten chapters in! I am in love with Enzo and I found myself literally laughing out loud at a few parts in the book. The parts that made me giggle was when Enzo was talking about his idea of monkeys (how dogs are more superior and how the dogs should have thumbs not a monkey) and how a man turns into werewolf and not a monkey .. LOL SO funny.
Enzo is so smart and insightful to the human race. When he was saying how Eve was his fear because she was her “rain” due to being unpredictable was genuis. He embraced his fear and changed his attuitude towards her to change his life. I do believe that we can not change other people’s actions or feelings and the only thing that we can change is yourself. I have finally started to live that lesson. Through reading these chapters it reminded me to stop and think about what others perceptions could be of situations that I am involved in and I have thought of my own dog Missy if she thinks like Enzo. I do see my Missy always wanting to sit with me and now I feel like maybe she wants to protect me like Enzo did for Denny. I do believe that a dog is a man’s best friend.
This book has really make me start to look inside myself and know that I can only control my own reactions and emotions to change my life for the better.
Can’t wait to keep reading!
Kathleen, keep reading! I became really emotional while reading the first two chapters, too. Once you hit chapter three the tears will stop and you might even laugh out loud.
Well said Michelle! My heart expanded when Enzo said he wasn’t bored, he was manifesting something. We are the creators of our own destiny! I am only on chapter nine but I totally love this book and have been recommending it to whomever will listen. Animal lovers will be touched by Garth Stein’s beautiful insightful words.
Being an avid dog lover, I was a little nervous as I started reading this book. I could not help but reflect on so many dogs that I have had and when it was time to let them go. I find solace in Enzo’s thoughts that maybe my dogs understood how hard it was for me, but that they knew and understood it was best for them to be let go peacefully. After that initial part, I am finding the book to be thoroughly enjoyable and delightful and cannot wait to keep reading.
I am loving the vivid pictures with language. Eve’s parents, the Twins. Too funny. Enzo’s wisdom about the baby growing in her, not a tapeworm like Enzo had growing in him. It’s such a wise book and a fun book to read. I don’t want to read much at one time so I can cherish the language. Thankfully, the chapters are short.
I feel a little guilty, like I’m a voyeur listening in on other people’s private conversations…. But I love reading what you all are saying! (Thanks for the invitation, Seraphina!)
Garth, we are so honored to have you drop in on our book club!