The Art of Racing in the Rain
Encyclopedia
The Art of Racing in the Rain is a 2008 novel by American
author
and film producer
Garth Stein
— told from a dog's point of view. The novel became a New York Times bestseller, has remained on the list for more than 40 weeks, and became a #1 BookSense Pick.
calling his journey "a struggle to hone his humanness, to make sense of the good, the bad and the unthinkable."
Enzo spends his days watching and learning from television, gleaning what he can about his owner's greatest passion, race car driving
— and relating it to life. Enzo eventually plays a key role in Denny's child-custody battle with his in-laws — and distills his observations of the human condition in the mantra "that which you manifest is before you."
, and then later in 2004 heard poet Billy Collins
give a reading of the poem "The Revenant," told from a dog's point of view.
Stein had originally named the dog "Juan Pablo" after Colombian race car driver Juan Pablo Montoya
, but changed his name at the suggestion of his wife, naming the dog instead after Enzo Ferrari
, founder of the famous Italian automobile marque of the same name.
The race car driving experience of the novel's character, Denny, is based on Stein's own experience racing cars, and on another race car driver who is a close friend of Stein's who was dealing with some family turbulence at the time. Stein moved from New York City to Seattle in 2001 and became involved in "high performance driver education," received his racing license with the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA)
, and won the points championship in the Northwest region Spec Miata
class in 2003. Stein left racing after crashing while racing in the rain.
acquired the rights to the prize-winning novel in July 2009, for Patrick Dempsey
to star in. The project has not been able to find a director.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
and film producer
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
Garth Stein
Garth Stein
Garth Stein is an American author and film producer from Seattle, Washington.-Career:Stein earned a B.A. in 1987 from Columbia College of Columbia University and later received a Master of Fine Arts degree in film from the University's School of the Arts. Subsequently, Stein worked as a director,...
— told from a dog's point of view. The novel became a New York Times bestseller, has remained on the list for more than 40 weeks, and became a #1 BookSense Pick.
Synopsis
The novel follows the story of Denny Swift, a race car driver living in Seattle and his dog Enzo, who believes in the Mongolian legend that a dog who is prepared will be reincarnated in his next life as a human. Enzo sets out to prepare, with The Seattle TimesThe Seattle Times
The Seattle Times is a newspaper serving Seattle, Washington, US. It is the largest daily newspaper in the state of Washington. It has been, since the demise in 2009 of the printed version of the rival Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Seattle's only major daily print newspaper.-History:The Seattle Times...
calling his journey "a struggle to hone his humanness, to make sense of the good, the bad and the unthinkable."
Enzo spends his days watching and learning from television, gleaning what he can about his owner's greatest passion, race car driving
Auto racing
Auto racing is a motorsport involving the racing of cars for competition. It is one of the world's most watched televised sports.-The beginning of racing:...
— and relating it to life. Enzo eventually plays a key role in Denny's child-custody battle with his in-laws — and distills his observations of the human condition in the mantra "that which you manifest is before you."
Background
Inspiration for the novel came after Stein watched the 1998 Mongolian documentary State of DogsState of Dogs
State of Dogs is a Mongolian movie that was released in 1998, directed and written by Peter Brosens and Dorjkhandyn Turmunkh. The film was shown at the 1998 Venice Film Festival, the 1998 Toronto Film Festival, the 1999 Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival, and won the Grand Prix at...
, and then later in 2004 heard poet Billy Collins
Billy Collins
Billy Collins is an American poet, appointed as Poet Laureate of the United States from 2001 to 2003. He is a Distinguished Professor at Lehman College of the City University of New York and is the Senior Distinguished Fellow of the Winter Park Institute, Florida...
give a reading of the poem "The Revenant," told from a dog's point of view.
Stein had originally named the dog "Juan Pablo" after Colombian race car driver Juan Pablo Montoya
Juan Pablo Montoya
Juan Pablo Montoya Roldán is a Colombian race car driver known internationally for participating and winning in Formula One and CART race competitions. He has enjoyed great success. Currently, he competes in NASCAR, driving the #42 Target Chevrolet Impala for Earnhardt Ganassi Racing in the Sprint...
, but changed his name at the suggestion of his wife, naming the dog instead after Enzo Ferrari
Enzo Ferrari
Enzo Anselmo Ferrari Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI was an Italian race car driver and entrepreneur, the founder of the Scuderia Ferrari Grand Prix motor racing team, and subsequently of the Ferrari car manufacturer...
, founder of the famous Italian automobile marque of the same name.
The race car driving experience of the novel's character, Denny, is based on Stein's own experience racing cars, and on another race car driver who is a close friend of Stein's who was dealing with some family turbulence at the time. Stein moved from New York City to Seattle in 2001 and became involved in "high performance driver education," received his racing license with the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA)
Sports Car Club of America
The Sports Car Club of America is a club and sanctioning body supporting road racing, rallying, and autocross in the United States. Formed in 1944, it runs many programs for both amateur and professional racers.-History:...
, and won the points championship in the Northwest region Spec Miata
Spec Miata
Spec Miata is a class of racing car used in Sports Car Club of America , National Auto Sport Association , and Midwestern Council of Sports Car Clubs road racing events....
class in 2003. Stein left racing after crashing while racing in the rain.
Screen rights
Universal PicturesUniversal Pictures
-1920:* White Youth* The Flaming Disc* Am I Dreaming?* The Dragon's Net* The Adorable Savage* Putting It Over* The Line Runners-1921:* The Fire Eater* A Battle of Wits* Dream Girl* The Millionaire...
acquired the rights to the prize-winning novel in July 2009, for Patrick Dempsey
Patrick Dempsey
Patrick Galen Dempsey is an American actor, known for his role as neurosurgeon Dr. Derek Shepherd on the medical drama Grey's Anatomy. Prior to Grey's Anatomy he made several television appearances and was nominated for an Emmy Award...
to star in. The project has not been able to find a director.
External links
- The Art of Racing in the Rain. - at the Garth Stein official website
- An "excerpt" of The Art of Racing in the Rain. - at the Garth Stein official website