Barbara M. reviewed on + 163 more book reviews
This novel was in a box of books that I had gotten from a gal via a local Buy Nothing FB page. She must have been an animal person as most, if not all, of the 8-10 books were animal themed. I had heard of this book but had no idea what it was about. Enzo, a mixed breed dog, is the central character and the story is told from his point of view. He understands human language but is unable to speak human language. Enzo also laments the fact that he doesn't have opposable thumbs. He believes that when a dog dies, it is reincarnated as a human being.
The book opens with Enzo being an old dog who wants to die--not because he's unhappy with his life (although he does have some health issues) but because he wants to go to his next adventure--reincarnation as a human. The story then goes back to when Denny, Enzo's owner, gets Enzo and how their lives went from there. Denny hopes to make it in the big leagues of race car driving. He and Enzo often watch racing on TV.
Denny meets Eve, they marry, and have a daughter, Zoe. Enzo and Denny hit a few bumps in the road but they persevere. I read the last couple chapters when I was having coffee at Panera. I had a feeling it would be emotional and it was. A few tears managed to leak out. Even now when I think about it, I get teary-eyed.
After I finished, I realized it would likely be one of my favorite books. Enzo's personality is very authentic. There are a lot of references to racing strategies. I know nothing about car racing but the references were metaphors for dealing with life.
The book opens with Enzo being an old dog who wants to die--not because he's unhappy with his life (although he does have some health issues) but because he wants to go to his next adventure--reincarnation as a human. The story then goes back to when Denny, Enzo's owner, gets Enzo and how their lives went from there. Denny hopes to make it in the big leagues of race car driving. He and Enzo often watch racing on TV.
Denny meets Eve, they marry, and have a daughter, Zoe. Enzo and Denny hit a few bumps in the road but they persevere. I read the last couple chapters when I was having coffee at Panera. I had a feeling it would be emotional and it was. A few tears managed to leak out. Even now when I think about it, I get teary-eyed.
After I finished, I realized it would likely be one of my favorite books. Enzo's personality is very authentic. There are a lot of references to racing strategies. I know nothing about car racing but the references were metaphors for dealing with life.
