Reviews tagging 'Animal death'

West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge

11 reviews

justcallmeemily's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Animal cruelty, and Animal death

Moderate: Racism, Violence, and Suicide

Minor: Vomit, Child death, and Racial slurs

oceanwriter's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I’ve had this book on my TBR for a while now. I don’t remember what drew me to it in the first place aside from it being historical fiction, so I went into it fairly blindly. 

 

I was surprised in the opening pages to see it set in the future (2025) where we meet Woodrow Wilson Nickel toward the end of his life. After the introduction, the book follows him in the 1930s while tensions are building around the world when two giraffes are found to have survived a hurricane in transport. We follow their cross-country journey along with Woodrow and others. 

 

It didn’t register as I was reading that this book is inspired by a true story. I might have appreciated it more had I realized. I didn’t find myself overly absorbed in the story, though I did enjoy the premise. It kept me good company during a day of commuting and waiting room visits, so for that, it was perfect. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Animal death, and Animal cruelty

Moderate: Violence, Suicide, and Racism

Minor: Racial slurs, Vomit, and Child death

latashman's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I loved the ending to this book. I almost threw my kindle across the room when he got sent to war, but it was the best (and probably most realistic) ending I could imagine. 

I read the Author's Note at the end and appreciated this quote from Jon Mooallem, "Storytelling matters now. Emotion matters. Our imagination has become an ecological force". 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, War, and Death of parent

Moderate: Racism, Gun violence, Animal cruelty, and Sexism

graceemacee's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring reflective

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Gun violence

jennjoy's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Beautiful story of forgiveness, coming of age in the 1930s for a poor orphan and in fact a country that was in turmoil. The giraffes are the hope and serenity, pure souls that can save a life that is shattered. Wonderful story and I was completely invested throughout. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Death of parent, and Animal cruelty

Moderate: Violence

Minor: Vomit and Gun violence

asourceoffiction's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I was surprisingly captivated by this story. It's really sweet, but there's a current of something running underneath; elements of danger, hidden truths and the regret that comes from so many missed opportunities. I was drawn in by the framework of Woody telling his story at the end of his long life, as if getting the words down is all that matters to him.

The giraffes absolutely steal the show here, as they should. The story of their journey across the US is incredibly dramatic (I love that although the truth is probably far more mundane, it is a fictionalised version of something that actually happened). But it's just so wholesome, especially whenever one of the core characters has a moment with the giraffes that brings a complete sense of peace.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Animal death, Animal cruelty, and Gun violence

Moderate: Suicide

makinzimyers's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Animal death, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Child death, Racism, and Animal cruelty

marioosa517's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Gun violence, Animal death, Classism, Sexual harassment, Suicide, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, and Animal cruelty

Moderate: Murder, Blood, Child abuse, Racism, Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Cursing, Sexual content, Racial slurs, Pregnancy, War, Alcohol, and Fire/Fire injury

crabbytaco's review against another edition

adventurous emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death

Moderate: Suicide, Animal cruelty, and Suicide attempt

welkinvault's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional informative inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Truly marvellous coming of age story, set in the 1930s depression era.  I was not expecting a story of two men travelling west with two giraffes to be so engrossing, so enthralling...  So many near disasters (two flat tires had my heart in my mouth, a sudden downpour was terrifying) and the social inequalities of the day (racial, gender & economic) are repeatedly witnessed or felt by the three main characters (five if you include the two giraffes).  
Vibrant and incredibly well written adventurous novel.  
Thoroughly recommended. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment

Moderate: Suicide and Violence

Minor: Child death, Animal death, Animal cruelty, and Death of parent