The Art of Racing in the Rain

“’Drivers are afraid of the rain…Rain amplifies your mistakes, and water on the track can make your car handle unpredictably. When something unpredictable happens you have to react to it; if you’re racing at speed, you’re reacting too late. And so you should be afraid.’” 

Throughout the book, racing advice serves as a metaphor for life’s lessons. The title, The Art of Racing in the Rain, demonstrates this. Not only is driving through the rain difficult and challenging because of its unpredictability, so is navigating through life’s obstacles. 

“I had always wanted to love Eve as Denny loved her, but I never had because I was afraid. She was my rain. She was my unpredictable element. She was my fear. But a racer should not be afraid of rain; a racer should embrace the rain.”

When Eve first arrives on the scene, Enzo is initially wary of her presence and influence over Denny. Enzo’s loyalty and desire to protect Denny causes him to be both jealous and afraid of her. However, over time, he realizes his duty to love Denny must extend to Eve as well.

“In racing, they say that your car goes where your eyes go. The driver who cannot tear his eyes away from the wall as he spins out of control will meet that wall…Simply another way of saying that which you manifest is before you.” 

The idea of control is very important to both Enzo and Denny. Denny believes a controlled, disciplined life is the best one to live. Enzo wants to control every aspect of his life, including when he dies and what he wishes to be reincarnated as. This quote suggests that, just as drivers control their cars, everyone is in control of their own destiny and that each person (or dog) sets out their own path.