For those of you that haven't or couldn't attend book club lately, we'll be publishing the previous months' discussion questions here. I hope eventually to post discussion questions for all of the books we've covered since I took over a couple of years ago and beyond, all the way to the beginning over a decade and a half ago. It will take a while. Until then, we will be posting discussion questions on a weekly basis. Here are the questions from a 2011 title, The Art of Racing In the Rain. We hope these questions spark discussions of your own.
The Art of Racing in the Rain
by Garth Stein
Summary:
Now a major motion picture from Fox2000 starring Milo Ventimiglia, Amanda Seyfried, and Kevin Costner
Meet the dog who will show the world how to be human:
The New York Times bestselling novel from Garth Stein—a heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope—a captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life . . . as only a dog could tell it.
“Splendid.” —People
“The perfect book for anyone who knows that compassion isn’t only for humans, and that the relationship between two souls who are meant for each other never really comes to an end. Every now and then I’m lucky enough to read a novel I can’t stop thinking about: this is one of them.” —Jodi Picoult
“It’s impossible not to love Enzo.” —Minneapolis Star Tribune
“This old soul of a dog has much to teach us about being human. I loved this book.” —Sara Gruen
Discussion Questions
Some early readers of the novel have observed that viewing the world through a dog’s eyes makes for a greater appreciation of being human. Why do you think this is?
Enzo’s observations throughout the novel provide insight into his world view. For example: “The visible becomes inevitable.” “Understanding the truth is simple. Allowing oneself to experience it, is often terrifically difficult.” “No race has ever been won in the first corner; many races have been lost there.” How does his philosophy apply to real life?
In the book’s darkest moments, one of Zoe’s stuffed animals — the zebra — comes to life and threatens Enzo. What does the zebra symbolize?
Can you imagine the novel being told from Denny’s point of view? How would it make the story different?
In the first chapter, Enzo says: “It’s what’s inside that’s important. The soul. And my soul is very human.” How does Enzo’s situation–a human soul trapped in a dog’s body–influence his opinions about what he sees around him? How do you feel about the ideas of reincarnation and karma as Enzo defines them?
Do you find yourself looking at your own dog differently after reading this novel?
In the book, we get glimpses into the mindset and mentality of a race car driver. What parallels can you think of between the art of racing and the art of living?
The character of Ayrton Senna, as he is presented in the book, is heroic, almost a mythic figure. Why do you think this character resonates so strongly for Denny?
Why does Stein choose Enzo as his protagonist? What special and distinctive perspective might a pet offer that a family member, such as a child, or a spouse, could not?
What is Enzo's one wish?
Why did Enzo identify with Eve's hatred of doctors, and where might her dislike of doctors come from?
What exactly is that demonic zebra that Enzo destroys, and why does it return later in the book? Might it represent something larger and more meaningful, and if so, what?
Why do Maxwell and Trish want to keep Zoë? Why do they work so hard to get her away from her father?
What do you think really happened in Italy, when Denny met the boy whose name was also Enzo?
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