Film Alumnus Garth Stein '90 Releases Graphic Novel ‘The Cloven’

The last two years have been busy for Film alumnus and novelist Garth Stein ’90. Last summer, the movie The Art of Racing in the Rain based on Stein’s best-selling 2008 novel of the same name, was released by 20th Century Fox/Disney. This summer, Stein's graphic novel, The Cloven, hit bookstores on July 28. Published by Fantagraphics Books, the project is Stein’s debut in the medium. 

The Cloven tells the tale of a boy named Tuck, who was born with the cloven feet and athletic ability of a goat. He looks a little like the mythological Ancient Greek god Pan and doesn’t know anything about his past. The result of genetic experiments, his origin story begins at a secret Vashon Island research facility, and we follow along as he ages into his teens and begins to unravel the mystery that is his life. Stein served as the writer of the project with Matthew Southworth taking credit for the art. 

The Art of Racing in the Rain is narrated by a witty and philosophical dog named Enzo. Through his bond with his owner Denny (Milo Ventimiglia), an aspiring Formula One race car driver, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition and understands that the techniques needed on the racetrack can also be used to successfully navigate the journey of life. The film follows Denny and the loves of his life—his wife, Eve (Amanda Seyfried), their young daughter Zoe, and ultimately, his true best friend, Enzo.

Garth Stein is the author of four novels: The New York Times bestselling gothic/historical/coming-of-age/ghost story A Sudden Light, the internationally bestselling The Art of Racing in the Rain,  the PNBA Book Award winner How Evan Broke His Head and Other Secrets, and the magically realistic Raven Stole the Moon. He is also the author of the stage play Brother Jones. He has a dog, he's raced a few cars, climbed a bunch of really tall trees, made a few documentary films, and he lives in Seattle with his family. He's co-founder of Seattle7Writers.org, a non-profit collective of 74 Northwest authors working together to energize the reading and writing public.