The Art of Racing in the Rain

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2008

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Download PDF

Chapters 7-10Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 7 Summary

Enzo recalls how Denny started working longer hours to support his family. In addition to working as a mechanic, Denny teaches driving at a track. Both jobs are unfulfilling. During this time, Enzo is left alone in the apartment. Previously there was a sense of belonging, of being a part of the family, but it’s quickly washed away by a feeling of abandonment as Enzo is left with nothing but the television.

Denny leaves the TV on one day, and Enzo develops the autonomy to watch it by himself for a change. The days go by faster with television, and Enzo is able to educate himself.

On Zoe’s second birthday, Denny reveals that he bought the family a house. Eve still doesn’t entirely trust Enzo around Zoe, but Denny comes to Enzo’s defense.

One day, Enzo smells something bad coming from Eve’s head. He praises canine senses as being stronger than any medical machinery, and feels guilt over his inability to warn anyone of Eve’s condition. No one can protect Eve as effectively as he does Zoe.

Chapter 8 Summary

Enzo reminisces on watching racing tapes with Denny, who discusses how he outmaneuvered other cars under rainy conditions.

Taking a lesson from this, Enzo decides to rise to the occasion and befriend Eve. Manifesting his own destiny, he strives to love her as he loves Denny.

Chapter 9 Summary

While Denny is out of town and racing for two weeks, Eve gets sick. She vomits, and complains of severe head pain. She takes Zoe and leaves the house, leaving Enzo alone.

Chapter 10 Summary

Enzo compares one’s control of life with their control of a car. He discusses how any attempts to be reactionary can cause the driver to overcorrect, and lead to an even worse scenario.

Chapters 7-10 Analysis

In these chapters, Stein uses analogy to compare racing wisdom to life. Denny’s advice for racing in the rain is effectively a roadmap for handling conflict during difficult circumstances, a prevalent theme throughout the entire book. Enzo prioritizes one’s ability to take control of a situation.

When Eve becomes sick and seems unable to control what is happening to her, it is his “canine” instincts that alerts Enzo to her illness. However, as Eve begins to feel worse, it is evident that certain things in life do not come with a roadmap or built in solution.