The Art of Racing in the Rain

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• What were your overall impressions of The Art of Racing in the Rain? Discuss what you liked most and least about the book.
• Compare the novel to other books. For example, have you read other novels that examined racecar driving or terminal illness or were narrated by animals?
• Have you seen the 2019 film based on this novel? If so, compare the novel to the movie. Did it translate well to the screen? What differed about the film? If most of your group has not seen the film, consider viewing it together before your discussion.

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• Explore connections between your life and the experiences of the novel’s main characters. Which of their experiences did you most relate to?
• As the novel begins, Enzo’s thoughts reveal that he knows he won’t live much longer and that he hopes to be reborn as a human. This introduces one of the novel’s themes, Death and Rebirth. The end of the story implies that Enzo is reincarnated as a boy, whom Zoe introduces to Denny at the Ferrari test track. Discuss the story’s aspect of reincarnation as it relates to your personal views.
• Reflect on any scene in the book that evoked a strong emotional response (for instance, when Enzo senses Eve’s illness but is unable to express this to his humans, when Eve learns of her illness after a fall, or when a car hits Enzo).
• The novel portrays Eve’s parents waging a custody battle over Zoe because they don’t think Denny can be a good parent given his life of traveling as a racecar driver. In addition, an obsessed young girl sues him for rape. Have you ever been caught in a legal dispute involving family or relationships? How believable is the outcome in which the court dismisses both cases?

3. Societal and Cultural Context

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

• Analyze how the book reflects or comments on cultural differences regarding religious/spiritual belief and its relationship to transformation and acceptance.
• Explore how the book’s themes of The Philosophy of Racing (and its wider applicability) and The Bonds of Loyalty resonate in today’s world.

4. Literary Analysis

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

• The Art of Racing in the Rain is told from Enzo’s point of view. Is this an effective narrative device? Why or why not?
• Discuss the development and relatability of the novel’s key characters. Which character(s) did you empathize with the most?
• This guide identifies and discusses three of the novel’s major themes. Did you note any additional themes? If so, share and discuss them with the group.
• The book is set in Seattle, Washington, a place known for rainy weather. Explore the significance of this setting and its contribution to the book’s tone.
• Discuss the novel’s title. Beyond Denny’s special skill as a racecar driver, how does the title symbolically reflect the novel’s content?
• Three symbols and motifs in the story are zebras, crows, and money. Discuss their relevance to the story and connection to characters or events. If you identified additional symbols and motifs, incorporate them into the discussion.

5. Creative Engagement

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

• Create a playlist that captures the mood or themes of the book. Alternatively, create a playlist with selections for each of the novel’s characters. Discuss your choices with the group.
• Write a poem or short story about Enzo’s transformation into a boy. Incorporate Enzo the dog’s saying (which Enzo the boy echoes at the novel’s end) that “your car goes where your eyes go…another way of saying that which you manifest is before you” (83). Read and discuss your poem/short story with the group.
• Imagine a sequel or continuation of the story. Where do you think the characters would go next? What is life like for Zoe? Does the boy Enzo become a permanent fixture in her and Denny’s lives?

Need more inspiration for your next meeting? Browse all of our Book Club Resources.