Book Notes | The Art of Racing in the Rain
Like the classic Black Beauty, in which a horse is the narrator, The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein is narrated by a dog named Enzo. His master is Denny, who is especially good at driving a race car in the rain.
The book starts with Enzo reaching the end of his life. He thinks back on his life starting as a puppy, living with Denny, Eve, and their daughter, Zoe. Enzo philosophizes on the joys and heartaches in the full life they had together.
The title of the book is a metaphor for the scary times we face in our lives. For instance, when Denny meets and falls in love with Eve, Enzo says Eve is his rain. Soon, however, Enzo grows to love Eve as much as Denny does.
Enzo explains Denny’s racing philosophy, which is that your car goes where your eyes go. Never look at the wall you’re afraid you’re going to hit. Denny’s mantra is “That which you manifest is always before you.”
The race of his life
One of Denny’s driving instructors says, “There is no dishonor in losing the race. There is only dishonor in not racing because you’re afraid of losing.” With Enzo’s help, Denny stays in the most important race of his life, which is not on the racetrack.
Although Enzo steals the show, the other characters—Eve, Denny, their daughter, Zoe, and Denny’s friends Mike and Tony—all play important parts. There are even two villains, the grandparents, whom Enzo calls the Evil Twins because they always dress alike.
Although some UMRA Book Club members at first thought they’d dislike the book because they were not interested in auto racing, they nevertheless ended up enjoying it. Women characters were not as well drawn as were Denny, Enzo, and even Denny’s friends. Even with these reservations, the members found the book heartwarming and uplifting and would recommend it to friends.
—Patricia Tollefson, Book Club member
Book Club to meet September 18
Fri, Sep 18 2020, 2pm
Joni Mitchell will lead the discussion of The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein when the UMRA Book Club meets via Zoom at 2 p.m. on Friday, September 18.
The UMRA Book Club currently has 16 members, a number that works well for our discussions. Contact Pat Tollefson at [email protected] for more information, including suggestions for starting a new book club.
Upcoming Events
We are fortunate to have UMRA member and former Minnesota Landscape Arboretum director Peter Moe to lead this approximately 3.7-mile hike at the Arboretum on Monday, May 6. Plan to have lunch together after the hike at the Eatery café inside the Oswald Visitor Center.
This session will continue the discussion begun in the May 8, 2023 session. See that article for details.
If you currently live in your own home or apartment, have you looked ahead to when you might want to consider a senior living option? Do you have any idea what those options might be? How much they cost? What they provide? UMRA’s May 14 workshop will provide an overview of the world of senior living and the basic information you need.
You’re invited to join the final Family History Interest Group meeting for 2023–24. This will be an opportunity to ask questions related to family history, share insights, talk about recent projects, and suggest topics for next year.
Stephanie Daily will lead the discussion of Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law by best-selling author Mary Roach when the UMRA Book Club meets via Zoom at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 17.
The May 20 hike will start at the Historic Lift Bridge in Stillwater and go along the river to the new bridge, cross over and then back on the Wisconsin side, a total of approximately 5 miles. Most of the route is paved. We will eat lunch after at Brian's Bar and Grill in Stillwater. Car pooling will be available.
Climatologist and meteorologist Mark Seeley joined the U of M faculty in 1978 and has been a weekly commentator on Minnesota Public Radio since 1992. We are honored to welcome him as our guest speaker for UMRA’s May Luncheon Forum and 2024 Annual Meeting. He is always entertaining and informative.
UMRA’s Fourth Friday Book Club welcomes back, for the second time, author Julie Schumacher, U of M Regents professor of creative writing and English, for a conversation about her novel The Shakespeare Requirement.
We are in for a treat on June 3! Lynn Anderson, will lead us on trails at two parks near her Monticello home. Bring a bag lunch and we will gather in Lynn's yard along the Mississippi River for eating and socializing after the hike.
Get out to the ballpark with fellow UMRA members for the annual U of M Day at Target Field as the Minnesota Twins take on the Oakland Athletics on June 14 at 7:10 p.m.
Please join us at 9:30 on June 17, 2024 for a walk around Lake Como in St. Paul before attending the UMRA Summer Social and Picnic starting at 11 at the Como Pavilion. A perfect opportunity to get in a walk before we gather to celebrate summer.
Picnic under the covered, open-air Como pavilion, gaze at the water, spy some birds, catch up with friends and former colleagues, and meet new members. We’ll have lunch with plenty of time for visiting and then compete in teams as we are challenged by our Quiz master(s)!
Healthy aging, mindfulness, fighting ageism, and more will be the focus of the third annual Age-Friendly University Day to be held on the U of M Twin Cities campus.