The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein Book Review

As William Ellery Channing beautifully said, “Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. The human spirit is to grow by conflict” (Fishel). Likewise, throughout this novel, significant dynamic characters like Denny and Enzo face multiple traumatic situations in their lives which are powerful enough to devastate one. Rather, these characters continuously strengthen their determination. Facing tragic events in various scenarios is often perceived as offsetting. However, in the novel, The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein, it is vividly shown that tragic events such as a false accusation relating to a custody suit, and one’s debilitating health ultimately strengthen their determination. 

One such character who strengthens from a tragic event is Dennis [Denny] Swift, a dynamic character in this novel, because, despite a false rape accusation made against him, he stayed determined to fight for his daughter’s custody suit. To exemplify, Denny was accused of third-degree rape with 15-year-old Annika, the daughter of Eve’s cousin who was disturbingly infatuated with Denny. As written by Stein, “What are you being arrested for?”, Mike [Denny’s co-worker] asked... “Rape of a child in the third degree,” Denny said. “Felony rape,” one of the cops clarified”. “But I didn’t rape anyone,” Denny said to the cop (Stein 91). Evidently, the reader can clearly understand that Denny has been accused of rape with a child in the third degree but, nevertheless, Denny also mentioned that this accusation was false as he didn’t rape anyone. To elaborate, despite the adversity, Denny was determined for fighting a custody suit for Zoë filed by his in-laws. Furthermore, he also strengthens from this event as he decides to get in touch with Mark Fein, his lawyer, because he must prove his innocence in order to gain custody of his daughter, Zoë. Notably, instead of giving up and being devastated, Denny stayed determined to further proceed with this false accusation and to prove his innocence. In addition to a false accusation against Denny, Maxwell, and Trish [Denny’s in-laws], the plaintiffs in Zoë’s custody suit, also filed a motion to terminate any right Denny had over Zoë and her custody. To attest, a clear example of this is when Enzo mentions “Because of the criminal charges against Denny, the Twins had been granted a temporary restraining order that meant, pending challenge in court, Denny didn’t get to see Zoë at all for several months. Minutes after he was arrested, Maxwell and Trish filed a motion to terminate Denny’s right to custody of any kind, since he was clearly an unfit parent” (Stein 102). Indisputably, the reader can understand that Maxwell and Trish, Denny’s in-laws, tried to obliterate Denny by posing tragic events at him. For instance, first, they sued Denny for Zoë’s custody, and now they filed a motion to terminate his right to custody of any kind. Despite this, Denny continued to fight for his daughter’s custody. To depict, whether it meant that Denny had to pay a lot of money to Mark Fein, his lawyer, or give up his racing career, or tirelessly and effortlessly work, Denny did it all. He fought and persevered with tenacity. This also shows the reader how despite the hardship Denny faced, he continued to prove his innocence against a false accusation. Hence, Denny’s determination and Denny himself eventually strengthened from tragic events, showing why he won Zoë’s custody. 

Another character whose determination strengthens from a tragic event is Enzo because he was unfortunately diagnosed with a health issue that rapidly deteriorated his health but despite that, Enzo perpetually showed his tenacity to complete his ethical duties. To amplify, Enzo is a loyal, devoted, and knowledgeable dog who practices ethical duties such as protecting his owners. When Denny came and told Enzo that he made pancakes for him, Enzo described “I force myself to wag my tail, and I really shouldn’t have, because the wagging jostles my bladder and I feel warm droplets of urine splash my feet...He cleans up my mess and tears me a piece of pancake. I take it in my mouth, but I can’t chew it, I can’t taste it. It sits on my tongue limply until it finally falls out of my mouth and onto the floor...I don’t want Denny to worry about me. I don’t want to force him to take me on a one-way visit to the vet. He loves me so much” (Stein 142). As it has been made vivid, the reader comprehends that Enzo is facing a health issue. To be specific, the veterinarian concluded that Enzo has hip dysplasia which causes him to experience joint inflammation and pain. Furthermore, undeterred by his deteriorating health, Enzo continues to be kind and caring by being considerate of Denny's worry for him. To further add, even though it was made explicit that Enzo was not in good condition because he couldn’t even eat, as strenuous it may be, he forced himself to wag his tail to possibly show that he was excited that Denny came and made pancakes for him. Last but not least, as Enzo’s death is coming close, he still perseveres through his traumatic and agonizing situation to stay determined in being the great and caring dog he was. To show, Enzo stated “And yet...Denny is so very sad; he will miss me so much. I would rather stay with him and Zoë here in the apartment and watch the people on the street below as they talk to each other and shake each other’s hands” (Stein 143). As said, just as Enzo is about to die, he explicitly demonstrates selflessness when he describes in the novel how he would rather stay with Denny and Zoë. However, notwithstanding the fact that Enzo was ready to die not only because of the languish state he was in but also because he wanted to be reincarnated as a human being for the qualities and attributes a human being has. Instead of this, Enzo mentioned that he was willing to give up his desire and rather stay with him, in pain, for the reason that Denny won’t feel bad when he is not there. Undoubtedly, this also shows the reader Enzo’s tenacity. Thus, these occurrences make it utterly clear that despite the languished state Enzo was in, he strengthened off of them to stay determined to be the great, loving, loyal, and knowledgeable dog he was. 

Altogether, Garth Stein’s novel, The Art of Racing in the Rain, evidently shows that tragic events such as false accusations in a custody lawsuit and one’s deteriorating health ultimately strengthen one’s determination. Briefly, Annika’s false rape accusations only strengthened Denny, and his determination to continue to fight for Zoë’s custody just like Enzo’s debilitating health strengthened him to continue to be the loving, loyal, and knowledgeable dog he was. Markedly, both protagonists persevered through tragic situations and strengthened their determination, eventually achieving what they were determined to. Is “Throwing in the towel” anything more than simply self-sabotaging yourself? Is it true that hardship is always a bad thing for you?

Works Cited

Fishel, Benjamin. “27 Quotes about Strength to Persevere.” Keepinspiring.me, 2019, www.keepinspiring.me/27-quotes-about-strength-to-persevere/.

“Meet Google Drive – One Place for All Your Files.” Accounts.google.com, drive.google.com/file/d/1iUXeOtr1tMxPODegGDhpM7BOoklhfwDl/view.