Racing in the Rain, Chapters 11-19
Welcome to the second discussion of our Winter Book Club. This week’s reading opens with Enzo struggling to maintain control over the innate animal instincts for which he feels such disdain. Upon finding himself locked in the house for three days without food or water, Enzo’s strategy for survival forces him to acknowledge his “genetic background;” his innate dog-nature that he normally strives to distance himself from. While his animal instincts allow him to survive the ordeal, they also cause him to lose his humanity for a brief moment. I saw the dancing zebra that destroyed Zoe’s toys as Enzo’s shadow side – his true animal nature. Unable to embrace his darkness, Enzo convinced himself that the Zebra – itself a striped mixture of light and dark – caused the damage. I thought it interesting that Enzo was not able to admit to himself that he would be capable of causing such destruction and pain. In reading this section of the book, it’s initially easy to assign this incident as Enzo just being Enzo – a dog, no matter how evolved in his thoughts and perceptions of life. However within a few pages we see Denny falling prey to his reactive, animalistic nature, just as Enzo did. If we’re honest with ourselves, we have all done this at some time in our lives; we are all dancing zebras, moving between our stripes of light and dark.
While revealing his animal nature, these chapters also contain some of my favorite bits of Enzo’s wisdom and life philosophy:
Suppressing the symptom does nothing but force the true problem to express itself on a deeper level at some other time. (p. 63)
…the poor driver crashes. The average driver gives up. The great drivers drive through the problem. (p. 64)
It makes one realize that the physicality of our world is a boundary to us only if our will is weak… (p. 65)
But I am a racer at heart, and a racer will never let something that has already happened affect what is happening now. (p. 74-75)
Know who is driving next to you. Any problems that may occur have ultimately been caused by you, because you are responsible for where you are and what you are doing there. (p. 91)
What are your thoughts? What made you think, what were the highlights for you in this part of the story?
I hope you’re enjoying this book as much as I am. Please share what you found meaningful in these chapters, I look forward to hearing from you!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. While reading it (and still) I look at my black lab and can ‘hear his voice’ too. I am sure he understands as much as Enzo. I hadn’t thought of the zebra stripes as dancing between the light and dark sides. Interesting.
The quote I remember the most is: “Where the eyes go, you follow” I took as keep your focus on the positive and it will be. If you keep focused on the goal, your path may vary but you will get there.
I loved enzos wissdom. What a smart dog. I really wish I knew what my cats were thinking.
As I read this unfolding story, I keep thinking that Eve will get better (even though I know different). Even Enzo is trying to keep that positive thought that she will return home and everything will go back to normal. My heart tugged when I read about Enzo’s stuffed dog being washed. This simple act of washing gave him something he could hold onto. “some belief that the center of our family could not be fractured by a chance occurrence, an accidental washing, an unexpected illness.” pg. 106. I am getting my tissues ready again for the next chapters.
The image of the invasion of the crows was so vivid and real, a frightening parallel to the devastation of a serious unexpected illness with no ability to protect. Experiencing the feelings through Enzo’s eyes is cathartic. The emotions are so raw. Kathleen, I love your comments about his stuffed dog being washed.
Susan, I hadn’t really considered the symbolism of the crows and how it related to Eve’s illness. Thank you for sharing that insight. I also loved Kathleen’s comments about the stuffed dog ~ I too felt a little sad and anxious for Enzo as his toy was being washed, but was comforted that he found a greater sense of security as a result.
There are so many life lessons that I am learning from this book. It is allowing me to view different perspectives of people around me and changing my reactions to be more successful and happy in life. The quote that has stayed with me this week was
Its so hard to put the book down.
“Know who is driving next to you. Any problems that may occur have ultimately been caused by you, because you are responsible for where you are and what you are doing there. (p. 91) because it is the truth. We are the keeper of our own destiiny and we are the only ones that can truly make ourselves happy and succeed. The people around us in my opinion our like bonuses and a cherry on top for our success who support us through our hard times.
It was nice reading how Enzo was there to cuddle with Eve when she was in pain. It made me think about how my dog Missy stays close to me when I am sad or having a bad day. It comforted me to think that she knows how I am feeling without having to say anything and she shows unconditional love towards me and my family.
Can’t wait to keep reading.
I enjoyed this book so much, that I cannot wait for the movie to be released. I picked it up at my library because I saw a Lab on the cover. I started to read this book and didn’t put it down until I finished. I actually sobbed at certain points. In the end, it helped me come to terms with the loss of my Lab. I knew it was time to put her down, but it was and still is so very hard. I could see the intelligence in my dog’s eyes and I know she could think. Some people laught at this but I know different. RIP, Irish.
Hi everyone!
This is Susan from the first two book discussions. I see another Susan has joined us so I will go by Susan S. My book finally came this week, I had to write a reminder to Amazon that I did not have it yet and the book club would be over if it didn’t come soon. I am playing “catch up” but it is such a good book that I should be caught up soon.
I was hooked with the first chapter. I do not have a pet at this time but my dear friend is going through what this chapter is all about,,,letting go of her aging and hurting dogs. I called her and said, “You have to get this book!”
Stein’s approach to Enzo’s voice is smart and funny. I like his discussion about it being ok to let go, his description of Eve’s appearance into the household and the careful friendship that develops with her is just as I would imagine a dog viewing it, honest and aware.
I will read more and get back to this. Thanks to all the insight in your emails.
Susan S, we’re so glad that you’re joining us again! Welcome to the discussion.