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Following is a discussion question from the author for the December 2014 book of the month, "The Art of Racing in the Rain" by Garth Stein.

The character of Ayrton Senna, as he is presented in the book, is heroic, almost a mythic figure. Why do you think this character resonates so strongly for Denny?

I am a little confused by this question. Does Ayrton Senna resonate strongly for Denny? How do we know that, what did I miss?

I think Denny feels this way because Ayrton Senna was an aggressive racer who set goals and met as well as exceeded them. I believe Denny looked up to him as a role model of the type of racer he wanted to be. Ayrton died in a tragic accident and whether directly or indirectly he achieved mythic status - basically, his legend grew. He was controversial and other racers either liked him or hated him. The women loved him.
Denny's "kinship" with Ayrton Senna gives us a deeper understanding of not only the kind of racer Denny wanted to be, but also the kind of person he was. That is, until he falls in love and starts a family.
Easily one of my favorite books.