Author : Garth Stein
Genre : Contemporary
Publisher : Harper
Pages : 321
Rating : 4.2/5
The protagonist of this tale is a dog. Literally a dog. His name is Enzo and he is the faithful pet of racecar driver Dennis. He tells us Dennis’s story from his doggy point of view – Dennis’s fluctuating career, the love of his life Eve and their daughter Zoe. Of course, he’s a dog so he can’t go everywhere but he presumes and he surmises and he ties stuff together to make a cohesive story complete with philosophical musings and natterings about his favorite films, and racecars and television programs.
People are always worried about what’s happening next. They often find it difficult to stand still, to occupy the now without worrying about the future. People are generally not satisfied with what they have; they are very concerned with what they are going to have.
Enzo believes that he will be reborn as a human and he prepares by gleaning knowledge and learning from watching people, events and the television. He talks but no-one can hear him, which he knows and accepts. He can also sense emotion – happiness, sadness, anger and grief from the faces and voices of his people and he responds to their needs by being the best dog he can be. I don’t own a dog but if I ever did, I’d want one like Enzo. Enzo is lovely.
When I return to the world, I will be a man. I will walk among you. I will lick my lips with my small, dexterous tongue. I will shake hands with other men, grasping firmly with my opposable thumbs. And I will teach all people that I know. And when I see a man or a woman or a child in trouble, I will extend my hand, both metaphorically and physically. I will offer my hand. To him. To her. To you. To the world. I will be a good citizen, a good partner in the endeavour of life that we all share.
Through Enzo’s telling, we get to know Dennis, his family and friends, and it is an interesting story with lots of emotional push and pull – left me weepy-eyed. Dennis is a good guy but he has some very hard times to go through and we are rooting for him because Enzo is. The story goes backwards and forwards in time to give us the whole picture, but it is coherent and well-paced.
A heartwarming read – recommended.
