Bestselling author discusses work ‘from a dog’s point of view’ at Santaluz literary luncheon

By Karen Billing

Garth Stein, author of The Art of Racing in the Rain, a book that has spent 34 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, entertained guests with tales from the publishing world and encouraged guests to support libraries and small book stores during an appearance at a literary luncheon recently held at the Santaluz Club (see page B10 for event photos).
The book is told from the point of view of Enzo, a dog, on the last night of his life. At times heartbreaking and other times humorous, the dog reviews his life with his owner Denny, a race car driver, as he readies himself for what comes next. Enzo, who is somewhat of a canine philosopher, believes in a Mongolian legend that dogs will return in their next life as a man.
The luncheon was set outside under white tents with little plush dogs at every setting.
Stein started his talk by taking a photo of the crowd, something he said he began doing to prove to his publisher and wife that people actually show up to his readings, but has now become somewhat of a tradition. Stein grew up in Seattle and spent 18 years in New York City, making documentary films after graduating from Columbia University. He now lives back in Seattle with his wife, three sons and dog Comet.
Stein had two books published, Raven Stole the Moon, and How Evan Broke His Head and Other Secrets, before he went to work telling Enzo's story. He learned the Mongolian legend about a dog becoming a man the same way Enzo does in a book, from a documentary film. Stein was also inspired in 2006 after hearing a poem by poet Billy Collins about a dog in heaven addressing his owner. The poem's first lines went: "I am the dog you put to sleep, as you like to call the needle of oblivion, come back to tell you this simple thing: I never liked you-— not one bit."
"I had an epiphany," Stein said. "I can tell a story about a dog becoming a person as long as it's from a dog's point of view."
Stein wrote the first draft in a quick four months, only the dog was originally named for race car driver Juan Pablo Montoya. His wife, Amanda, who Stein calls his "mean muse" for inspiring him yet pushing him, vetoed Juan Pablo in favor of Enzo, for Enzo Ferrari. After having two sons, Stein had told his wife he'd love for their next born to be named Enzo. It's Stein's belief that Amanda lobbied for the dog to be named Enzo because she knew that would mean their next child wouldn’t have that name. Amanda won. The dog was named Enzo and, in 2007, baby boy Dashiell joined Stein's sons Caleb and Eamon.
Selling a book from a dog's perspective turned out to be harder than Stein thought. His then-agent told him no one would publish it, no one would sell it and no one would buy it. A determined Stein fired his agent and began a lengthy search for a new one, which he wouldn't find until a chance meeting with an author whose agent successfully sold his book written from the point of view of a crow.
This new agent, upon reading the draft about Enzo, left a voicemail that Stein wouldn't erase for 90 days: "I kept it so long because he was crying. He said he loved this dog and he loved the book."
Despite his original agent's skepticism, Stein's book has had best-seller staying power, has been published in 31 languages, and a movie is in the works, with Patrick Dempsey (Dr. McDreamy from "Grey's Anatomy") signed on to star.
As well as reading from his book and discussing its genesis, Stein also hit on the importance of supporting local libraries and book shops.
"My job as a writer is not just to write but to get people to read books," Stein said. He said things like Kindle, the electronic book reader, will ultimately change the environment and people will have to make decisions on how they want to "take" their books. He said libraries should remain a valuable community asset, as well as small, locally-owned book stores, with owners who are in business because they love people and the written word.
"Keep these things as parts of our communities," Stein said.