Book 52 of my 2021 Reading Challenge
West with Giraffes
by Lynda Rutledge
Summary (via Goodreads)
published 2021
An emotional, rousing novel inspired by the incredible true story of two giraffes who made headlines and won the hearts of Depression-era America.
“Few true friends have I known and two were giraffes…”
Woodrow Wilson Nickel, age 105, feels his life ebbing away. But when he learns giraffes are going extinct, he finds himself recalling the unforgettable experience he cannot take to his grave.
It’s 1938. The Great Depression lingers. Hitler is threatening Europe, and world-weary Americans long for wonder. They find it in two giraffes who miraculously survive a hurricane while crossing the Atlantic. What follows is a twelve-day road trip in a custom truck to deliver Southern California’s first giraffes to the San Diego Zoo. Behind the wheel is the young Dust Bowl rowdy Woodrow. Inspired by true events, the tale weaves real-life figures with fictional ones, including the world’s first female zoo director, a crusty old man with a past, a young female photographer with a secret, and assorted reprobates as spotty as the giraffes.
Part adventure, part historical saga, and part coming-of-age love story, West with Giraffes explores what it means to be changed by the grace of animals, the kindness of strangers, the passing of time, and a story told before it’s too late.
“Few true friends have I known and two were giraffes…”
Woodrow Wilson Nickel, age 105, feels his life ebbing away. But when he learns giraffes are going extinct, he finds himself recalling the unforgettable experience he cannot take to his grave.
It’s 1938. The Great Depression lingers. Hitler is threatening Europe, and world-weary Americans long for wonder. They find it in two giraffes who miraculously survive a hurricane while crossing the Atlantic. What follows is a twelve-day road trip in a custom truck to deliver Southern California’s first giraffes to the San Diego Zoo. Behind the wheel is the young Dust Bowl rowdy Woodrow. Inspired by true events, the tale weaves real-life figures with fictional ones, including the world’s first female zoo director, a crusty old man with a past, a young female photographer with a secret, and assorted reprobates as spotty as the giraffes.
Part adventure, part historical saga, and part coming-of-age love story, West with Giraffes explores what it means to be changed by the grace of animals, the kindness of strangers, the passing of time, and a story told before it’s too late.
First Impressions/Judging a Book by Its Cover
I picked this book from the selection on Amazon First Reads because historical fiction is my favorite genre and the subject is such an unusual premise I can guarantee I haven't read anything like this before. Also, giraffes are my mom's favorite animal so it will be a bonus if this book has tidbits I can pass along to her.
Since it's an electronic copy I don't have much to say about the look of the book itself. The color and sparseness of the cover fits has a sepia, dust-covered feel which fits the Depression-era time period.
My Opinion
4 stars
This is the kind of book to get lost in. I know it was marked as "currently reading" for awhile but the time spent actually reading it went by very quickly. I would definitely read this author again.
This would make a good family movie.
I liked the historical notes at the end that gave a little more explanation on some of the references and inspirations for the story.
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