First of all I would like to thank Brenda Ambrose, Client Manager of Terra Communications for allowing me access to the author in order to conduct this interview through email. I would also like to thank the author himself for taking time from his busy schedule to answer my questions.

If you have not read his novel, The Art of Racing In the Rain, I highly recommend it, for it is much more than it seems on the surface.

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In my review, I mention that The Art of Racing in the Rain is a story about relationships and how they are buffeted, and sometimes battered, by outside elements that one has little control over. Continually, Enzo and Denny help us learn about the importance of how we react to those elements pressuring us. Was this your ultimate goal? And did having Enzo as the narrator help keep everything at just the right distance in order for the reader to remain focused on this aspect of the storyline?

Certainly, our actions define us, and the more thoughtfully we act, the better people we can be. Denny has a level of patience and determination that few of us would be able to maintain. Does he have these qualities because he’s a good race car driver, or is he a good race car driver because he has these qualities? One can speculate. But we do know that both on and off the race track, the qualities of patience, balance, determination, will serve us well.

As for the Enzo element in the question, Enzo does serve the purpose of filtering the narrative for us, yes. However, I think it’s more fun to think of Enzo being Denny’s alter ego. Enzo is the salt to Denny’s sugar (salt brings out the sweetness!). Enzo is fire, spontaneous action, emotion, love, anger, devotion. And he speaks for the reader when he declares: “Let’s flee to Canada!” The alternative to Denny’s thoughtful nature is Enzo’s passion.

I normally ask how much an author allows their characters to evolve and change throughout the story – especially the narrator. Did giving Enzo human qualities make this easier? Or did you find that developing plot and character carries its own inherent challenges regardless of the point of view.

Enzo is a nearly human soul trapped in a dog’s body. That’s how I looked at his character when I was writing. In that sense, the question of “dogness” had little to do with my writing. I was simply writing a character who was frustrated with his limitations. And he was wearing a dog suit. We change the situation and dynamics, but–four legs or two–a character’s goals, motivations, hopes and dreams all have to be accessible to an audience.

One reviewer called this story a “fable with a heart”. However, a classic fable is not entirely based on fact. Except for being able to hear Enzo’s thoughts, the theme is tangible and the moral applicable to everyone. Would this make your book a modern fable? Or more of an allegory?

I would call it a fable. I mean, the definition of fable has been abused over the years to come to connote “a false tale.” But that’s hogwash; disinformation put out by people who aren’t willing to project complex thoughts and feelings onto animals or other objects. I suppose it’s not a classic fable, if you think of three little pigs as being classic. (Enzo would think that was below him in some way.) So I’ll go with “a modern fable,” if you define such as a story with a moral that is enhanced by being told from an unconventional perspective. (This is a very serious question. I feel like I’m back in college!) 

In this novel, the transformative process is initiated by the reflective one. (i.e. the story begins with Enzo looking back on his life as he is about to pass on) How important is this aspect to the theme and what you wanted to say? Or really, what Enzo wanted to say.

It’s important on several levels. First, some people are wary of “dog books,” because “in the end, the dog always dies.” So I wanted to take away that mystery from the beginning. Also, the idea of beginning at the end and then telling the story in flashback allowed me to easily condense the story with Enzo’s narrative. In addition I think the structure helps thematically in two big ways. First, the Socratic ideal of the unexamined life not being worth living is evidenced through Enzo–here he is, on death’s bed, still learning about himself. Still trying to understand himself and why he is who he is. What his life has been worth, and so on. Secondly, I think this architecture supports my belief of life cycles, reincarnation, the continuing journey. Enzo’s body may be done with, but his soul–his Enzo-ness–lives forever….

Ultimately, each of the main characters are transformed in the end into a better character; each paying a high price to achieve this goal. Is this an integral part of the process and why is this aspect is so important to the story?

From a purely dramatic point of view, change is essential. For better or worse, change is necessary or it is a very boring tale. From a thematic point of view, change is important in the novel. One of the lines that gets repeated back to me often is uttered by the character Don Kitch when speaking to Denny: “There is no dishonor in losing the race. There is only dishonor in not racing because you are afraid to lose.” In other words, you have to put yourself out there and try. Win or lose, you will find the effort transformative. 

The trend of bloggers working with publishers and writers is on the rise, especially in getting the good word out about books like yours. Has working with bloggers been helpful and do you foresee this as something you and/or your publishers will take advantage of in the future?

The connection writers have with readers is very intimate right now: blogs, Facebook, Twitter and all of that. And I think it’s great; I very much enjoy connecting with readers. It’s also great because blogging is so darned democratic. How many novels get reviewed in the Sunday New York Times Book Review? Three? Four? That’s not very many. Bloggers can write about so many more books and reach so many more people, I do think writers and publishers are shifting to embrace the blogosphere. I do a lot of work with blogs now, and I will continue to do so with my new books.

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This was an enlightening experience. Not only the reading of Garth’s book, but also this intervew.

I hope you feel the same.