Tuesday, February 10, 2009

THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN

Author: Garth Stein
Genre: Fiction, Standalone
Published: 2008
Personal Rating: DNF #1




The dog is the narrator. Enough said.

25 comments:

  1. Joy, I follow your blog on Google reader. I laughed when I read this. I've wondered about it but not enough to actually pick it up. Oh well.

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  2. I am so sorry you did not enjoy or finish this book. The audio version was one of my favorite books in 2008.

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  3. Anonymous6:43 PM

    This one has been on my radar for a while. Sorry it didn't work for you.

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  4. Mary ~ The high reviews made me take the plunge. It's just so not me.

    Diane ~ I was listening to it and didn't like it from the get-go, but definitely gave it a fair shot. It takes a lot for me to like something outside realism, so it certainly wasn't the writer/writing - just the idea or concept of the story line being based on the dog's perception.

    Bermudaonion ~ It has great reviews. I'm the only one I know that didn't like it. :)

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  5. Oh, dear. I heard such a good review from a trusted friend, so I brought a copy home from the library last week. My husband couldn't get into it, but I thought I'd still try. Now I'm not so sure.

    In other news, I sold a copy of Shadow Man and Face of Death today. Woot! ;)

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  6. The dog being a narrator sounds, a little unique. What else about it makes it unlikeable?

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  7. Anonymous7:33 AM

    Oh no! I just got this one from the library! I'll give it a try anyway.

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  8. Hi Joy,

    I haven't read this either because I just don't like dogs.

    But your post made me laugh! I've read your blog long enough to know you don't like talking animals and I can imagine a dog narrator would have just been the top for you! LOL

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  9. Please take no offense at my responses. I'm in rare form this morning. If you read the book and love it - I'm happy for you, truly I am. I wish for every book to be a winner for you and for me. This one simply was not for me and I shouldn't have picked it up. Oh, and I won't hold it against you if you do like it. :) Promise, I won't. I'll just think you're odd. KIDDING!!! Remember, I'm the one usually in the minority when it comes to rating books. To prove my sincerity, if you rate this book a 4 or above, I'll do a happy dance for you, a genuine happy dance.

    Les ~ Well - I hope you like it. :) If you're like the readers on Amazon (318 reviews/4.5 average rating), you'll be a happy camper.

    Jules ~ The dog as the narrator is enough. Clearly, I'm in the minority.

    Lynne ~ At least you didn't buy it! No harm done. :)

    Nicola ~ Interestingly enough, I love dogs! I've had them my entire life, so I'm not expressing animal rage or anything like that. And, yep, you are right - it was over the top! What was I thinking!?!

    Debi ~ This is not a laughing matter, Debi. It's seriously stupid! Oh my goodness, did I just say that? It is a VERY RARE occasion that I use that word (just don't like it), but sometimes - when the word fits . . .

    Note to self: Books with animal narrators get no more chances - no matter what the draw may be. Choose your books wisely.

    Addendum to Note to self: Children's books may be explored; however, never teach children about your personal narrator rejects. Narrator poisoning is a bad thing. Take deep breaths before reading and stay calm throughout. And, remember to smile, no grimaces allowed.

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  10. LOL, this is too funny! Is it crazy that now I'm curious, and actually want to give it a try?

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  11. Cassie ~ Nope, you are not crazy. As the quote goes, "There's no such thing as bad publicity . . ." And, I certainly don't want to promote book hate, so please read it. Hope you love it! :)

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  12. Joy-I can understand.I love dogs as well but reading about them especially as a narrator doesn't interest me. I haven't read Marley and Me either. They just don't draw my interest. Thanks for being honest and having a sense of humor! I needed that today!

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  13. Bonnie ~ I'm so glad you stopped by to read my nonsense. LOL Every now and then, it just can't be helped. I hope you have a super day today, Bonnie!

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  14. LOL! Brilliant review! Also loved your note to self and addendum! Thanks for making me laugh today!
    I haven't felt any desire to read this one, and still don't. Plus I am a cat person! ;)

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  15. I actually laughed out loud! Thanks for that! :-)

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  16. Tanabata ~ If you are not a dog person, I wouldn't recommend it. :)

    Joanna ~ You're welcome. :)

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  17. Your review made me laugh! Love it. I don't think I'd heard of this book before but I admit I have a real problem when it's the animal that's doing the narrating. It was so funny at one of my former book groups the coordinator said we would never choose a book with a cat or dog on the cover because inevitably it was the animal doing the sleuthing and he couldn't get into that! haha...

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  18. Iliana ~ Those that like animals as narrators love this book, so it is purely a matter of liking this style or not. I have a friend who LOVES it. UGH. I'm going to follow the advice of your coordinator. :)

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  19. LOL--oh no! I remember you saying you didn't like animal narrators. For this book it worked for me, but it was rather cheesy.

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  20. Trish ~ You read this?!? This doesn't seem like something you'd like. Glad you did, though. :)

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  21. This was one of our book club picks and I borrowed the book. Not something I'd normally pick up. Didn't love it and definitely didn't think it was the best book club pick, but it was entertaining enough.

    Ohhh--just finished Sundays at Tiffany's! Thanks for sending Laura the CD so I could borrow. :) Haha!!

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  22. Trish ~ Glad you were able to get your hands on it! (Thanks for sharing Laura!) Well????

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  23. It was great for listening--I was really sad when it ended yesterday and I had to face traffic without it. :) Not sure I would have enjoyed the paper copy quite as much. I think I've found the type of book that will work for my short attention span, which is good, because I've tried and struggled with audio versions in the past. Now I just need to get a membership to local library!

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  24. Trish ~ YAY! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I love, love, love audio versions. I've been able to experience so many more books that I wouldn't have been able to otherwise. Now - hurry on over to that library and sign yourself up! :)

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Happy Reading!