Johnny Coutts

Johnny Coutts
The Art of Racing in the Rain
Garth Stein
General-Fiction
Just Right
Page 57

1. So far in my book, the main character is a dog named Enzo. He doesn't have voice, but the book is all of his thoughts in his head. His owner's name is Denny and Enzo knows everything about him including his job, what he likes to eat, and what shows he likes to watch on his TV. Enzo is humble, but I can tell that this dog can get angry extremely quickly. Enzo is a golden retriever, and he is just a puppy. As annoyed as I would be, this dog seems to get extremely frustrated because he cannot talk to his owner, telling him if he wants food, if he wants to go for a walk, or if he wants to watch TV. Though dogs don't seem as smart as humans, Enzo also has favorite channels on the TV. He likes to watch the Discovery Channel and bark at the dogs that are on the screen, and he likes to watch Lost, because of all the animals he encounters.

2. So far, this may be the most unique book I have ever read. The idea about getting into a dog's head and knowing what it's thinking fascinates me. I have never read a book with this much of a clever plot and a unique writing style. I don't know about everyone else, but I have always wondered how dog's thought and if they could understand the human language and their ways. According to Enzo's thoughts, all dogs like him all believe that once a dog dies, it then gets reborn into a human body form. So as of now, life to Enzo wants to end so he can become a human. The only down part about that is he would forget everything about being a dog. This was a neat twist Garth Stein put into the book that I enjoy.

3.The most dominant theme in this book so far has been family. Enzo and Denny obviously have an extremely close bond considering the fact that Denny talks to Enzo about life and acts like Enzo's his brother. Denny does a good job caring and loving Enzo. He always remembers to walk him, even when it's freezing cold outside. It's obvious that Enzo loves Enzo and embraces him as family. Enzo has also gotten extremely attached to Denny ever since he was a pup. Enzo really hoped that Denny doesn't get a girlfriend because if Denny gets a girlfriend, Enzo feels he'll get detached from Denny.

4. So far in the book, my favorite character is Denny because he is dedicated to Enzo, and I can tell loves him with all his heart. He cares for him like he is a brother, and tries his hardest to please him but not to make him spoiled. Just like family, Denny gives Enzo a bed time and a time when the TV has to go off. This to me is a true family, and with a dog. Though they live a happy life, I do feel bad for Denny because it seems like he doesn't have many friends and is pretty lonely besides Enzo. One day, I hope Denny can maybe get a girlfriend so Denny and Enzo won't have to be as lonely.

5. Currently, my least favorite character is Enzo. There have only been a couple characters in this book, and I don't hate Enzo he is just my second favorite character. The reason I like Denny a little more than Enzo is because of a couple reasons. One reasons is that Enzo is lazy. Other than taking a walk everyday, Enzo just eats, and sits on the couch all day watching Animal Planet shows, while Denny is working his butt off trying to make money and support him AND Enzo. Though I guess there is nothing else for a dog to do that can't talk or communicate with it's owner.

6. My prediction, is that Denny will find a girlfriend and start giving her more attention than Enzo. Sooner or later, Enzo is going to get jealous and have to redeem himself and make himself Denny's top priority. Maybe Denny and his new girlfriend will break up because of him, and then Enzo may feel extremely guilty and try to make up for it to Denny.