This book was a pick of my local library book club. I hadn’t heard of it prior and don’t know if I’d have picked it up otherwise. That’s what I love about book clubs. They get me reading different books. Here’s my take on this one!
“Problem was, whenever I locked eyes with an animal I felt something more soulful than I ever felt from the humans I know, and what I saw in that sprawled giraffe’s eye mad ema ache to the bone.”
Summary
Woodrow Wilson Nickel (Woody) is now at the end of his life at age 105. He can feel his life is coming to a close and thinks little of it, until he finds out giraffes are going extinct just like most other large and exotic creatures. He reminisces on an experience in his younger life, driving two giraffes across the United States during the Depression. He decides he must write it all down to pass on the story, if not for himself, then for the incredible animals. Thus, the story continues between present and past as Woody retells the adventure he had as a Dustbowl teenager, traveling from New York to San Diego driving two giraffes to their new home in a zoo. Along the way we meet colorful characters, survive natural disasters, glimpse parts of life in the Great Depression, and see Woody come to understand more about himself and incredible animals. This story is based on true events and figures along with fictional creations, lending to adventure, history, and a coming-of-age love story.
“They say, if wishes were horses, beggars would ride. But that never kept a beggar from wishing”
Evaluation
I liked this story quite a bit. I enjoyed the adventurous tale of Woody and The Old Man trekking cross country with a pair of giraffes. The danger they faced along the way kept my attention and I was always looking for Red in the rearview mirror. The time period in which this took place was rough and we were able to read about some aspects. We caught newspaper headlines tracking Hitler’s progress and met Hoovervilles along the way. The feeling of the Depression era seeped into my experience of reading the book as well, giving me a sense of loneliness and despair. Woody’s traumatic story pulled at my heart and how he connected with Wild Girl, Boy, and Red gave me hope for his future. Ultimately, it didn’t end up how I anticipated or hoped, but instead was left in a more realistic way with Woody living long after the adventure ended and the pair of giraffes living their best life in the San Diego Zoo.
My 5 Star Rating in the Historical Fiction Genre: **** (4/5)
“Animals are complete all on their own, living by voices we don’t get to hear, having a knowledge far beyond our paltry ken.”
Recommendation
I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who likes reading about historical fictions set in America, particularly during the Great Depression. I also would recommend this to anyone who’s an animal lover and enjoys coming-of-age tales. As I mentioned, it isn’t a happy-go-lucky tale, but a realistic story of a boy struggling through the Dust Bowl and becoming a young man. Goodreads recommends this book to people who enjoyed With or Without You by Low, The Life List by Spielman, and Trust A Stranger by Baxter.
“At least you know the ground rules with animals. You can count the cost of breaking the rules. You never know with people. Even the good can hurt you bad, and the bad, well, they’re going to hurt you but good.”
I hope this review of West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge was enjoyable for you to read. Let me know if you’ve read this one and your thoughts! I’d love to have a discussion on it. Until next time…happy reading!
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