Maxwell Character Analysis in The Art of Racing in the Rain

Eve's overbearing father, Zoë's grandfather and Denny's father-in-law. Enzo often refers to him and his wife, Trish, as “The Twins” due to the fact that their clothes often match and they present an extremely united front. Maxwell cares deeply for his daughter and granddaughter, and doesn't care much for Denny. He insists that Eve and Zoë stay at his home while Eve is dying of cancer, and after her death, sues Denny for custody of Zoë because he believes he and Trish can provide a better childhood for her.

Maxwell Character Timeline in The Art of Racing in the Rain

The timeline below shows where the character Maxwell appears in The Art of Racing in the Rain. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Eve's parents, Trish and Maxwell, had been in the apartment since Zoë's birth to care for her and Eve. Enzo... (full context)

...when Denny is away racing, Eve, Zoë, and Enzo go to stay with Trish and Maxwell. Eve's hand is bandaged, which Enzo thinks means it's worse than she let on. Trish... (full context)

As soon as they arrive, Trish and Maxwell start ragging on Denny to Eve. They stand in the kitchen drinking, and Maxwell asks... (full context)

Maxwell opens a jar of his favorite hot peppers, and Trish comments on how frail Eve... (full context)

...a bush in the shade until the burning stops. Later that night, when Trish and Maxwell take Enzo outside, Enzo notes that his stool is watery and foul smelling. After this... (full context)

After two weeks of their regimented schedule, Maxwell and Trish offer to take Zoë for a weekend to give Denny a break, and... (full context)

The Tuesday after Zoë's weekend with Trish and Maxwell, she and Enzo play in the back yard. After running around for a while, she... (full context)

One evening at the hospital, Enzo listens to Denny, Maxwell, and Trish talk while Zoë works on a book of mazes. Trish and Maxwell do... (full context)

The following Saturday, Denny, Zoë, and Enzo go to Trish and Maxwell's house. The living room now has a fancy moveable bed and a nurse who doesn't... (full context)

Wandering into the kitchen, Enzo finds Denny conferencing again with Trish and Maxwell. The Twins say that they think Zoë should stay with them, "until." Enzo remarks to... (full context)

...from the demon (zebra). In the morning, Enzo relinquishes his guard duties to Trish and Maxwell, and Eve quietly thanks Enzo for his protection. (full context)

Maxwell and Trish eventually ask to transfer Zoë to a school near their home, since commuting... (full context)

...usual. Eve continues the process of dying while she and Zoë remain with Trish and Maxwell, but Enzo says that Denny is allowing himself one diversion. He received a job offer... (full context)

On the first of May, Denny and Enzo are invited to Trish and Maxwell's for dinner. Eve is absent, and Enzo finds it awkward, so he wanders into Zoë's... (full context)

...for Denny given what they were going to find once they arrived at Trish and Maxwell's house. When they arrive, a white van is in the driveway. Denny goes into the... (full context)

Denny comes out of the house and embraces Zoë. Trish says that she and Maxwell will take care of the arrangements before the end of the week. She tells Denny... (full context)

Denny and Enzo are perplexed, and Denny tells Trish and Maxwell they can't have custody. Trish tries to explain that they have the experience and finances... (full context)

...face change, and Denny tells Zoë to pack her things, telling her they're going home. Maxwell tries to stop her and Denny is furious. Zoë doesn't know who to listen to,... (full context)

Maxwell, shaking with anger, starts asking Denny how he's going to care for Zoë, and asks... (full context)

...as Denny desperately says that Eve couldn't have possibly meant that she wanted Trish and Maxwell to have custody of Zoë. The man replies that he doesn't care what Eve said,... (full context)

The man instructs Denny to call Trish and Maxwell and direct all correspondence to him as Denny's lawyer. He says grandparents are always hard... (full context)

...retainer fee. Standing up, he tells Denny the suit is bogus and that Trish and Maxwell are looking for an easy fight. He instructs Denny to call Trish and Maxwell and... (full context)

...charges weren't witnessed by Enzo directly. He says the events took almost three years, as Maxwell and Trish wanted to deplete Denny's bank account and destroy his desire to win. Enzo... (full context)

...the next morning. Denny, angry, asked where Zoë was, and Mark answered that Trish and Maxwell got to her first. When Denny says he's going to get her, Mark snaps that... (full context)

...as they get close, three men break off and walk to meet them. They are Maxwell and two of Eve's brothers, and Maxwell tells Denny he's not welcome. Denny replies calmly... (full context)

...own difficulties rather than dwell on the fact that Zoë is stranded with Trish and Maxwell. (full context)

Due to the criminal charges against Denny, Trish and Maxwell are granted a temporary restraining order that means Denny isn't allowed to see Zoë for... (full context)

The made up story, while successful, forgot to account for Enzo's whereabouts, leading Trish and Maxwell to panic when Zoë asks to see him. Denny tells Mark that for the story,... (full context)

...in Spokane, and Mike arranges for Enzo to spend the weekend with Zoë, Trish, and Maxwell. The night that Enzo arrives, he finds his bed already in Zoë's room. He dozes... (full context)

The following afternoon, as Enzo naps on the porch while Trish and Maxwell drink their afternoon cocktails, he overhears their conversation. Trish wonders if Annika isn't as innocent... (full context)

...tricks, they don't understand Denny's persistence. He continues to fume and decides that Trish and Maxwell are now the Evil Twins, and his anger fuels a thirst for revenge. When Maxwell... (full context)

When Maxwell opens the door to let Enzo outside later that night, Enzo thinks about what Maxwell... (full context)

...She stares into her bowl of ice cream and says that she made Trish and Maxwell love her too much, and that she should have misbehaved so they didn't want to... (full context)

...other weekend. Mark calls Denny a champion, and then takes Zoë back to Trish and Maxwell. (full context)

Enzo notes that Denny has a secret. He says that while Trish and Maxwell may restrict Denny's access to Zoë, when he does see her, he gets all the... (full context)

...an energy about him, while Mr. Lawrence seems sad and slow. Soon after, Trish and Maxwell sue Denny for child support, which Mr. Lawrence says is legitimate, if ruthless. (full context)

...night before Enzo sleeps, he talks to King Karma and sends him to Trish and Maxwell. Enzo says that King Karma gives them bad dreams in which they're chased by a... (full context)

The following day, Mr. Lawrence calls to tell Denny that Trish and Maxwell have dropped their custody suit, but requested 48 hours with Zoë before returning her to... (full context)