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  • West with Giraffes

  • A Novel
  • Written by: Lynda Rutledge
  • Narrated by: Danny Campbell
  • Length: 10 hrs and 29 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (43 ratings)

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West with Giraffes cover art

West with Giraffes

Written by: Lynda Rutledge
Narrated by: Danny Campbell
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Publisher's Summary

 

An emotional, rousing novel inspired by the incredible true story of two giraffes who made headlines and won the hearts of Depression-era America.

“Few true friends have I known and two were giraffes…”

Woodrow Wilson Nickel, age 105, feels his life ebbing away. But when he learns giraffes are going extinct, he finds himself recalling the unforgettable experience he cannot take to his grave.

It’s 1938. The Great Depression lingers. Hitler is threatening Europe, and world-weary Americans long for wonder. They find it in two giraffes who miraculously survive a hurricane while crossing the Atlantic. What follows is a twelve-day road trip in a custom truck to deliver Southern California’s first giraffes to the San Diego Zoo. Behind the wheel is the young Dust Bowl rowdy Woodrow. Inspired by true events, the tale weaves real-life figures with fictional ones, including the world’s first female zoo director, a crusty old man with a past, a young female photographer with a secret, and assorted reprobates as spotty as the giraffes.

Part adventure, part historical saga, and part coming-of-age love story, West with Giraffes explores what it means to be changed by the grace of animals, the kindness of strangers, the passing of time, and a story told before it’s too late.

 

©2021 Lynda Rutledge (P)2020 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

What the critics say

“A delightful read.” The New York Times Book Review

“Every year I find at least one book that soars above all the others. This year West With Giraffes is that book.” Florida Times Union

“[A] larger-than-life story about the power of both animal magnetism and human connection…witty, charming, and heartwarming.” Booklist

What listeners say about West with Giraffes

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Hurricane giraffes and a tale of survival

I loved this story and learning about the journey of the 1938 hurricane giraffes. What a beautiful tale and I loved the narration, done to perfection. Get ready for an adventure! Highly recommend.

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West wirh Giraffes will move you in more ways than one!

Never have I had a book capture and hold my attention, as well as make me sob. Thank you for writing this beautiful and important story. It will stay with me always.

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  • Overall
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Marvellous Well Written Adventurous tale

Truly marvellous coming of age story, set in the 1930s depression of the US.

I was not expecting a story of two men (one still a teen) travelling west with two giraffes to be so engrossing, so enthralling. The many near disasters (two flat tires had my heart in my mouth, a sudden downpour was terrifying) and the social inequalities of the day (racial, gender & economic) are repeatedly witnessed or felt by the three main characters (five if you include the two giraffes).

Vibrant and incredibly well written adventurous novel.

Thoroughly recommended.

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What a ride!

Absolutely loved this story and especially ADORED the narrator. The colloquialisms used added to the feel of that time in history and were endearing to the characters. I felt at times like I was there in the old truck with the boy, the old man and the giraffes!

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