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63 pages 2 hours read

Garth Stein

The Art of Racing in the Rain

Garth SteinFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2008

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Chapters 17-19Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 17 Summary

The family takes a hike at Denny Creek and Enzo drinks in the nature with unrestrained glee.

While playing in a stream, Eve loses her footing and hits her head on a rock. She leaves the trauma dazed and slurring her words. Enzo spends the night in the car while Denny cares for Eve. 

Chapter 18 Summary

Enzo recounts the Mongolian practice of burying dead dogs. The dogs are prepared for their inevitable reincarnation into humankind. Enzo is ready for it. 

Chapter 19 Summary

Enzo is let out of the car and fed some peanut butter crackers. They taste so good that he feels they’re wasted on him. Denny’s co-worker, Mike, shows up to talk with Denny. Enzo praises his own ability to listen closely and dissect that people are actually saying.

Denny confirms that Eve has a “mass” on her brain, not a tumor. He enlists Mike to pick up Enzo’s food, bedding and toy. Enzo is embarrassed that he sleeps with a stuffed dog toy, and is offended when Mike washes it—removing its scent.