[BWF] West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge (3.5 stars rounded up)

[KateNZ]

It’s 1938 and young Woody Nickel is a Dust Bowl orphan, existing (rather than living) off scraps of work in New York. After almost being killed in a hurricane, Woody comes face to face with some fellow survivors: two young giraffes who need to be driven across the US to the San Diego Zoo. He also encounters a feisty young female photographer, whom he nicknames Red. The story of the subsequent trip is narrated by a 103 year old Woody, trying to get the details down on paper before it’s too late.

This isn’t a faultless book by any means - it veers between predictability and melodrama at times, and Woody’s inner musings and penchant for idiocy also get quite repetitive. I listened on audio and it often felt unnecessarily drawn out. But I still really enjoyed it. ‘The old man’ Riley Jones is a complex and interesting character. Woody is a believable traumatised teenager. The road trip across the country is a real window into the troubles of the time - this was my favourite aspect of the book I think. Except for the giraffes which are gorgeous.

Team: Sassy Sisters. Extra for R. Tagged x 49

[Holly R W]

I think these are fair criticisms, Kate. I enjoyed your review, as it captured my experience of reading the book.

I loved the giraffes, of course, and learning about how they were responsive to people.

My husband and I recently went to our zoo here, specifically to see the gorilla babies - 3 of them! Couldn't see the giraffes, as we were out of time and energy, and they are on the opposite side of the HUGE zoo. But, I promised myself that I would see them next time.