Reviews

West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge

kaylabrown20's review against another edition

3.0

Needed a break from thrillers and decided to pick this book up. Heartwarming story about a man who is homeless after a hurricane, and decides to follow the first two giraffes in the United States from New York City to San Diego. He ends up becoming the driver of the truck and the story follows him and “old man“ across the country and their journey to bring the giraffes to the San Diego zoo. Writing style was a little hard to get through, tough to get started but a good book overall.

marlanaperry77's review against another edition

adventurous slow-paced

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

3.75

3.5 stars

I really wanted to love this book. I had heard rave reviews, and the description felt reminiscent of Water for Elephants, which is a book I absolutely adore. Overall, I enjoyed the story and the characters grew on me, and of course I loved the giraffes as a central feature of the story, but it took a long time to get into this book overall. I was not a fan of the very prominent diction choices that Woody made, and sadly, the frame story of Woody as an old man was just not endearing or worth it to me - I think the story would have been improved to just tell it from the perspective of 18 year old Woody.

I would absolutely recommend this book to others. I just wish I hadn't had such high hopes going into it. 

mandysatan's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful lighthearted slow-paced

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

4.0

katyifky's review against another edition

adventurous funny reflective medium-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

3.25

kdconn's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad fast-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

5.0

shesalwaysreading's review against another edition

adventurous emotional 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

Long chapters but I felt entertained from beginning to end. Not very likable characters but I think that was intentional. 4 stars. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death and Animal cruelty

thereadinghouse22laura's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

3.75

shasha_56's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

5.0

smajor711's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

zuomiriam's review against another edition

5.0

A gripping story centered around a cross-country drive with an orphan, a zookeeper, an aspiring photojournalist, and two giraffes. Though most of the book takes place in a car, the time and emotional breadth encompassed in this book are remarkable.