Book Review: West With Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge

Genre ~ historical fiction based on true events

Featuring ~ dual timeline ~ now & 1938, animal death (view spoiler).

POV ~ single 1st person

Release date ~ February 1, 2021

Page count ~ 381

Audio length ~ 10 hours 29 minutes

My rating ~ 4.25⭐

My review:

Historical fiction is not my go to, but giraffes are, so thanks to my girl, Tiffany, who told me I absolutely had to read this one. She and I are big giraffe lovers. Back in 2017 (I think) we were glued to our screens together patiently waiting for April and Oliver’s baby to be born via live stream at a zoo in NY. Anyone else?

Woodrow Wilson Nickle tells the story of when he drove 2 giraffes from New York to California over 12 days. He was only 17 years old and lost his entire family to the Dust Bowl.

The story alternates between now and 1938 as he tries to get the story written before he dies. A bit slow moving, but a heartbreaking tale that I won’t soon forget.

Side personal~ish note ~ Woody was around the same age as my grandpa was, so I was picturing him while reading. They pulled into the San Diego Zoo a few days before my grandpa’s birthday and I finished reading it the eve of his death anniversary. This doesn’t really have to do with anything, but I just felt like sharing it.

Add to your never ending TBR  ~ goodreads

Some copies available on Thriftbooks

I’d love to hear your thoughts if you’ve read it.

Book blurb:

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.

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