flory_valley's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Written from such an interesting perspective- heartbreaking and heart warming ❤️
breama2022's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
carolinethereader's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to like this book a lot more than I did. When I bought it, I was super intrigued. The story is narrated by the family dog, Enzo, who is wise and understanding but unable to communicate properly with humans. It is an interesting concept for narration because I, like so many others, talk to pets and like to believe that they can understand more than they let on. It is a kind of naive hope but that is exactly the strength of this book. Readers want to believe that their dog or cat sees and understands. They want to believe that the animal they have by their side for years is as wise and supportive as any other loved one.
Surprisingly, the style of narration didn't bother me much. Most of the time it felt like I was observing the story from Enzo's point of view, rather than being told what happened by a dog if that makes sense. At rare and frustrating times, the narration would reference that the dog is a dog with some stupid statement about the limitations of not having thumbs. Those were the parts I did not like because I get it. The story is narrated by a dog. You don't need to put in these stupid sentences to remind me that it is being narrated by a dog! That is literally the premise and appeal of the book okay? I get it!. For the most part I enjoyed the narration because it gave insight into the family without being too 'all-knowing narrator'.
That being said I found all the characters (apart from Denny and Enzo) to be disappointingly underdeveloped. Eve and Zoe felt like background characters. I knew how I was meant to feel about them but their characters were never really explored and I think that is a shame because they had potential. This story broke my heart a little bit because it was very sad at times. However I think this would have been a lot more meaningful if I had more of an attachment to the characters.
This book is written for people who love car racing and I am not one of those people. I thought I could get past the constant references but there were just too many. Literally every second chapter was a link to cars, or a racing driver, or a famous race. The links between the races and what was happening in the story were often tenuous. I enjoyed some of the analogies which compared being a race car driver to life but I think there were too many. I feel like the analogies were overused and too obvious. It'd be like 'racing drivers have to keep their eyes on the road even when there are distractions' and the narration would be like 'this is so similar to facing hardship in life when we must continue to move forward even when it is difficult'. I GET IT OKAY! Eugh.
Honestly though this book is sweet and super quick to read. It isn't great and I found it to be super repetitive at times but it is nice enough. I didn't cry at the end like I'm sure I was supposed to but oh well.
Surprisingly, the style of narration didn't bother me much. Most of the time it felt like I was observing the story from Enzo's point of view, rather than being told what happened by a dog if that makes sense. At rare and frustrating times, the narration would reference that the dog is a dog with some stupid statement about the limitations of not having thumbs. Those were the parts I did not like because I get it. The story is narrated by a dog. You don't need to put in these stupid sentences to remind me that it is being narrated by a dog! That is literally the premise and appeal of the book okay? I get it!. For the most part I enjoyed the narration because it gave insight into the family without being too 'all-knowing narrator'.
That being said I found all the characters (apart from Denny and Enzo) to be disappointingly underdeveloped. Eve and Zoe felt like background characters. I knew how I was meant to feel about them but their characters were never really explored and I think that is a shame because they had potential. This story broke my heart a little bit because it was very sad at times. However I think this would have been a lot more meaningful if I had more of an attachment to the characters.
This book is written for people who love car racing and I am not one of those people. I thought I could get past the constant references but there were just too many. Literally every second chapter was a link to cars, or a racing driver, or a famous race. The links between the races and what was happening in the story were often tenuous. I enjoyed some of the analogies which compared being a race car driver to life but I think there were too many. I feel like the analogies were overused and too obvious. It'd be like 'racing drivers have to keep their eyes on the road even when there are distractions' and the narration would be like 'this is so similar to facing hardship in life when we must continue to move forward even when it is difficult'. I GET IT OKAY! Eugh.
Honestly though this book is sweet and super quick to read. It isn't great and I found it to be super repetitive at times but it is nice enough. I didn't cry at the end like I'm sure I was supposed to but oh well.
mokey81's review against another edition
5.0
This is the dog book everyone should be reading. It was wonderful! It isn't a family book, but for those who want a dog book that isn't written to simply make you cry, here it is.
The dog is the narrator, and he is incredibly intelligent and observant. He is a key player in the plot, and you really get to see how pets can affect their humans for the better even though they have no words, "only gestures." This dog has aspirations and goals and just a wonderful heart, his name is Enzo.
There is a /lot/ of talk about formula one racing, which while it bored me, it was also such an important part of the lives of the man and his dog, so it was important.
The audiobook is only six hours, so this must be a reasonably quick read. I hope you'll give it a shot.
The dog is the narrator, and he is incredibly intelligent and observant. He is a key player in the plot, and you really get to see how pets can affect their humans for the better even though they have no words, "only gestures." This dog has aspirations and goals and just a wonderful heart, his name is Enzo.
There is a /lot/ of talk about formula one racing, which while it bored me, it was also such an important part of the lives of the man and his dog, so it was important.
The audiobook is only six hours, so this must be a reasonably quick read. I hope you'll give it a shot.
letsreadwithcats's review
3.0
I really liked Enzo. I wasn't as crazy about the human characters. The main plot also was not my favorite. It was very dramatic. I thought some of the characters actions were just over-the-top crazy. But Enzo was really likable. And I loved the ending. It got me in the feels.
Enzo's mantra will also stay with me for a long time: That which you manifest is before you.
Enzo's mantra will also stay with me for a long time: That which you manifest is before you.
sadvegetableperson's review
5.0
Such a lovely story. Despite the story teller being a dog, it felt very real and honest. You fall in love with the family and only want to know more. A good read for anyone wanting a heartfelt honest story, no matter your interests
ufcasey's review
4.0
I should have learned from "Marley and Me" that I shouldn't read books about dogs. Excuse me, I think I have something in my eyes.
mokelly's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
babsbick's review
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
monicamarinperez's review
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25