The Art of Racing in the Rain

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2008

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Character Analysis

Enzo

While Enzo is an extremely thoughtful and keen example of his species, his perspective is limited in key areas. The first appearance of the demon zebra is telling. Enzo never considers the remote possibility that he destroyed Zoe’s stuffed animals in his hallucinatory rage. He leaps at the idea of an external force, with no credit given to the circumstances or his state of mind. This demonstrates the lengths to which he still needs to go in pursuit of human-grade introspection. By the end of the novel, his acceptance of the zebra as an internal force represents the maturity of his inward-facing eye.

Since this is a first-person narration from an unlikely point of view, there’s no guarantee that Enzo’s depiction of events is accurate. He could color the story in ways that paint Denny as a saint, and the reader would be none the wiser. No obvious hints point the way to this conclusion, but the possibility is inherent with the storytelling method.

Enzo’s development can be traced to his feelings regarding humanity. At first he envies humans, and even spites them their appendages and modes of communication. By the end of his life, Enzo realizes the value of being a dog. He even casts light on canine traits that he considers superior. He doesn’t achieve humanity because he wants it so badly. He gets it because he earns it through depth of reasoning and the development of a complicated, introspective point of view.

Denny

Denny is largely portrayed through his relationship with Enzo. He engages with his dog with the same level of regard that he would any beloved human. He allows Enzo to guide him in life-altering decisions, and trusts in his perspective implicitly.

In racing, and in life, Denny is built for endurance. He has mastered the ability to see issues through to their conclusion. This was true even before the events of the novel unfolded. The appearance of Denny’s parents, seemingly from another story altogether, demonstrate how Denny has weathered that difficult conflict through to its ending, which spanned untold years.

Eve

Much like Enzo, Eve is a visitor in Denny’s life. Her past is obscured, but a childhood spent with Maxwell and Trish has left its mark in the form of unique character traits. She avoids any medical diagnosis, perhaps because living under Maxwell’s roof allowed no admission of weakness. She expresses more concern and puzzlement about Denny’s way of life than actual support. While she opens the story doubtful of Enzo’s value, she meets her end treating him as an equal and a protector. She achieves a state of Denny-like tranquility upon death, and like Enzo, anticipates the transformation to come.