"West with Giraffes": A Journey of Self-Discovery in a Novel

Avid reader, rare reviewer: A tough-as-nails zookeeper, a Dustbowl orphan refugee, and a photojournalist determined to make it big set out to drive two giraffes from New York to San Diego in 1938. What could go wrong? Through research and well-paced, impeccable writing, Rutledge recreates the American experience between the two world wars and takes readers on an incredible adventure based on real events. The characters rise from the page.

United States on Sep 12, 2023

janet soucek: Enjoyed the characters throughout the book , 2 basic misfits and past history of old man’s tolerance for thieves and liars ! But so trying to trust Woody ,his unknown past and so young was he capable to drive and bringing Giraffes to safety, doing the fight thing ! The lady photographer(Red) trying to become something, wanted to still have her own identity! The old man ,Woody and Red so loved and respected the Giraffes they were so determined to get them to safety ! The Giraffes had so much to give themselves, innocence ,fear , being scared mirroring for Red and Woody ! They were dealing with so Much of the same things youth,fear the unknown, reactions and opportunities!
But the one thing that stands out, comfort from the animals and of course the comfort of humans towards the animals ! KINDNESS no matter the hate and awfulness of how cruel people can be !

United States on Sep 10, 2023

readerintexas: I love historical fiction and giraffes, so right from the start I was hooked on this story. What the author does an incredible job of is weaving in all sorts of characters along the way who represent the landscape of America at the time. Speaking of which, America and its values at the time are one of the major characters in this book….I found this as interesting as the plot.

United States on Sep 04, 2023

Snowy: The story of two giraffes and how they changed the course and narrative of a number of people's lives. An unrequited love between 2 people who shared a love of these magnificent and gentle animals- a quietly unassuming and gentle read that never the less captures the imagination and emotions of the reader

United Kingdom on Aug 29, 2023

love books: Animals were here before us. We need to remember this. Please read this book you won't regret it. Highly recommended!

United Kingdom on Aug 23, 2023

I D COUSINS: Loaded this for a sailing holiday but never got around to it. Sunning myself I've finished it. So pleased I didn't delete it.

United Kingdom on Aug 15, 2023

Katherine D.: It turns out we were all alike in the depression era. Whether we had money or not, we all needed a smile. Story based on the truth about two giraffes being moved to the San Diego zoo will lift you and at times move you to tears. So beautiful. Animals never stop giving do they? A spoiler alert. The two giraffes go on to have a baby and they love people. You can really tell they're like a domestic dog in some ways. That zoom must be wonderful. I do not like the idea of a caged animal and I don't mind if there is no other place for a circus animal to go. We are losing free walking animals everyday. Let's preserve their environment. Give to one of the national wildlife funds I guess. I know any of our profits from Amazon go to the humane society and it's a significant amount every year. We love Amazon! And we know how hard it is for people that work at the humane society especially the animals themselves. Cheers!

United States on Aug 01, 2023

Kindle Customer: Even in 1938, when this most unlikely story happened, giraffes were endangered. The worst effects of the great depression were ongoing and the disastrous dust storms of the American prairies destroyed the livelihoods and lives of thousands.

Against this backdrop is set a heartwarming but never schmaltz story of 2 weeks and 3 very oddly assorted people and 2 giraffes. A 17 year old farm boy who's whole family has perished from "dust lung", a middle aged zoo worker, and a young photo-journalist.

A somewhat uncertain start to the book almost had me set it aside, but I was soon enthralled.

Terrible things happen, but the 3 protagonists are all good people. This is book to love.

Australia on Jul 16, 2023

Ursula: Ein wirklich tolles Buch zu lesen.

Germany on Jun 09, 2023

Moo: 1West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge has an interesting parallel to Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. West with Giraffes is an inverse image of Tolkien’s classic. Lord of the Rings begins with a party. West with Giraffes starts with chaos. In 1938, a hurricane hit New York City. One of the damaged cargo ships has two giraffes. The giraffes emerge as gifts from the ocean representing hope, peace, and redemption. The Hobbits have a single dangerous ring. The traveling Hobbits start their walk joyfully. They walk from lightness to darkness. In West with Giraffes, the main characters are fragmentary, seeking, and nearly broken souls. They use a truck and car. They travel from darkness to light. The Hobbits experience a series of events. Likewise, the giraffes and their human companions share a series of adventures.

Mr. Riley Jones is a head keeper of the San Diego Zoo. He has the responsibility of transporting the two giraffes to California. Riley is wise with the way of animals. He is Gandalf. Woodrow Wilson Nickel, or “Woody,” is a 17-year-old orphan. He drives the truck carrying the two giraffes. Woody is Frodo. The dark and evil characters are Percival T Bowles, a cruel...

United States on May 31, 2023