2.97k reviews for:

West With Giraffes

Lynda Rutledge

4.02 AVERAGE

jaclynekhoff's profile picture

jaclynekhoff's review

3.0

3.5 stars

This gave me “water for elephants” vibes but I just didn’t enjoy it as much? It was still a very good story. Take my rating with a grain of salt.
clintmunds39's profile picture

clintmunds39's review

4.0

Very cute book, I’ll be thinking about giraffes for a while now.
adventurous dark hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This was a fascinating story about a historical event that had never been on my radar. In that sense, it was a truly riveting story. And Lynda Rutledge skillfully brought it to life with detailed care.

I just struggled with the fact that everyone in this story was a big fat liar. (I promise that’s not a spoiler.) And I mean, I get it—times were hard and people had to survive. But I don’t think all the lying was necessary, even though the characters certainly believed it was.

Of course, that’s where Rutledge shines—in the character perspectives and motivations. They were all so realistic and believable! And then the giraffes!! And Woody writing his story!! Honestly, it was just so good. The story was moving even though I took issue with all the unnecessary lying. It worked for the story, and I honestly recommend it to anyone interested in a unique American story.
absswag's profile picture

absswag's review

3.0

This took me so long to get into and I almost decided to not finish it. However I am glad I kept reading. I didn’t realize how attached I was to the characters until the end when I absolutely broke down. My heart aches for woody

lesahaney's review

5.0

This was written as a story within a story. In present time Woodrow Wilson Nickel “Woody Nickel” is 105 and just watched a program that explained that giraffes were in danger of becoming extinct. This propels him to write about his adventure helping move two giraffes from New York to California when he was just 18 years old.

The story is based on the real life events of two giraffes who survived a hurricane as they were being transported to the United States and then must travel across the country to California. It spans the Dust Bowl era and World War II.

Historical fiction is my favorite genre and this did not disappoint. I had never heard about the adventures of these giraffes and did lots of googling to learn more.
adventurous emotional informative inspiring sad slow-paced

Brilliant. This one should be made into a movie. All the feels. Woodrow Wilson Nickel is a seventeen year old orphaned boy in the heart of the Texas Dust Bowl. He makes his way to NYC just as the Hurricane of 1938 makes landfall. He comes across two giraffes that have survived a transport ship capsized by the storm. He convinces the San Diego Zoo animal keeper, Old Man, to let him drive the modified transport vehicle ocean to ocean. Following them in a Green Packard is Red, a dreamer/photographer whose bucket list includes going to Africa, having a daughter, and becoming a world renowned female animal photographer. Their epic journey west is reminiscent of Water For Elephants.
adventurous emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

awolfie75's review

4.0

Really really sweet story.
Plot or Character Driven: Plot