West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge - 3.5 stars (Subdue)

[Joy D]

West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge - 3.5 - My Review

In 1938, while the Great Depression is still in full force, seventeen-year-old Texan Woodrow Wilson Nickel (Woody) is hired by the animal keeper from the San Diego Zoo to drive two giraffes from New York to California. Nicknamed “the Old Man,” the head animal keeper had traveled to New York to meet the ship transporting the two giraffes (Boy and Girl) across the Atlantic Ocean. Woody has had a tragic family history due to the Dust Bowl and was in New York to live with his nearest cousin. The storyline covers their many adventures as they drive across the US. During the drive, they meet Augusta Red, a young woman photographer who follows the rig, telling the pair she works for Life Magazine. The story is narrated by Woody. It is a combination of road trip, coming of age, and historical fiction.

I particularly enjoyed the parts featuring the giraffes, and their unusual antics and preferences (they love onions). The crusty Old Man obviously has a sensitive side when it comes to the animals, and he calls them “the darlings.” The interaction between the giraffes and the trio is the highlight of the book for me. The historic era of the Great Depression is realistically portrayed. It is based on a true story, but the author fictionalized characters and has fabricated many of the more far-fetched incidents of the journey. As a warning there are several gruesome scenes of animal suffering and injuries. I probably would have enjoyed it more if these had been toned down a bit or omitted altogether.

3.5

[Holly R W]

Joy, our reactions to the book and our reviews are strikingly similar. It is a book that I'll remember - I now have a new appreciation for giraffes.

[Booknblues]

Joy, I think you may enjoy Pursuing Giraffe: A 1950s Adventure, which is a memoir of the first woman/scientist to observe giraffe in their native habitat. I found it quite interesting and enjoyed the 1950s mentality.

[Joy D]

Holly R W wrote: "Joy, our reactions to the book and our reviews are strikingly similar. It is a book that I'll remember - I now have a new appreciation for giraffes."
Holly, I just read your review, and yes, we definitely had a similar reaction. I found it hard to fully engage. I think it was the "romantic" plotline that didn't work for me, but I really enjoyed the giraffes.

[Joy D]

Booknblues wrote: "Joy, I think you may enjoy Pursuing Giraffe: A 1950s Adventure, which is a memoir of the first woman/scientist to observe giraffe in their native habitat. I found it quite interesting..."
Thanks for the recommendation. I'll check it out!