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    West with Giraffes: A Novel
    West with Giraffes: A Novel
    West with Giraffes: A Novel
    Audiobook10 hours

    West with Giraffes: A Novel

    Written by Lynda Rutledge

    Narrated by Danny Campbell

    4.5/5

    ()

    • Friendship

    • Adventure

    • Giraffes

    • Survival

    • Self-Discovery

    • Fish Out of Water

    • Unlikely Hero

    • Journey of Self-Discovery

    • Unlikely Friendships

    • Animal Companions

    • Mentorship

    • Redemption

    • Man Vs. Nature

    • Mentor

    • Call to Adventure

    • Travel

    • Animals

    • Family

    • Trust

    • Dust Bowl

    About this audiobook

    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.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBrilliance Audio
    Release dateFeb 1, 2021
    ISBN9781713551140
    West with Giraffes: A Novel
    Author

    Lynda Rutledge

    Lynda Rutledge is the bestselling author of West with Giraffes, selected by Library of Congress–affiliated Texas Center for the Book as their 2023 Great Read. She’s also the author of Faith Bass Darling’s Last Garage Sale, winner of the 2013 Writers' League of Texas Fiction Award and adapted into the major 2018 French film La dernière folie de Claire Darling starring Catherine Deneuve. Her fiction has won awards and residencies from Atlantic Center for the Arts, Illinois Arts Council, and Ragdale Foundation, among many others. In her eclectic career before becoming a novelist, she was a copywriter, freelance journalist, film reviewer, book collaborator, and travel writer. After years residing in urban locales including Chicago and San Diego, she currently lives with her husband outside Austin, Texas. For more information, visit www.lyndarutledge.com.

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    Reviews for West with Giraffes

    4.5/5

    984 ratings95 reviews

    What our readers think

    Readers find this title to be a moving and interesting story that resonates with them. They appreciate the excellent writing, compelling characters, and the portrayal of the wonder of animals. The book is described as a delightful, beautiful, and heartwarming tale that brings hope and humor to a difficult time in history. Some reviewers mention that the book is a joy to listen to, with a wonderful and heartfelt adventure. However, there is one negative review that criticizes the character development and the abrupt ending. Overall, readers highly recommend this book and consider it one of the best reads of the year.

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 5/5
      Awesome book about a trek across the country in 1939 to transport two giraffes to the San Diego Zoo .

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Beautiful story, exceptional characters, and passionate portrayal of the wonder of animals. Took a very difficult time in history and filled it with hope and humor.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      This wasn't my typical genre but really enjoyed the story!

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Only one word can adequately describe this story……. EXCELLENT…… it brought tears to my eyes. Thank you so very much.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      Very interesting. Never read a story quite like this one. Loved the animals.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      Excellent, clean, fun read! Loved the audio version and the languaging pulled me back to the time period.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      I like the colloquialisms of the period.
      Readers may like to know that there is a large breeding herd of giraffes in Colorado Springs at the Cheyenne Mtn Zoo. You can hand feed them lettuce leaves and see their big prehensile tongues. They are a sight to see!

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      I absolutely loved this book! Listening to the audio version the Narrator took me back to another time, another place -he did an excellent job! I loved this heartwarming story; the characters were precious; the author had a wonderful way of adding everything that makes great story! It’s in my top 10 favorite books now, so will buy the hardcover to add to my collection.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      One of the best books I've consumed all year! I loved it! Highly recommend!

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      It was a very moving book and the “adventure” really resonated with me.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Adored this book! Could not put it down and didn’t want it to end. What a tribute to the bond of animals and humans.
    • 5/5
      Oh this book. It’s one of those books that makes you sad that it’s ending. It will invade your days if you don’t read it all the way thru in one sitting. I listened to it and it was like having my grandpa tell me a story. Not going to want to let these characters go after having spent time on this adventure with them.
    • 5/5
      The narrator was perfect for this story! I felt as though I was in his room with him as he told it. The writing, though unintentional I’d guess, was made for this to be an audiobook. I could see the characters clearly, envision the towns, and feel the senses of the animals the whole time. 5 stars!
    • 4/5
      Such a lovely listen (at 1.8x) to just go on a journey where you’ll face a gamut of emotions. Enjoyed how the author brought this time and place to life for us all; and loved how she captured the giraffes as beloved characters.
    • 5/5
      A beautiful story, I soon found myself sucked in and travelling alongside the darlings.
    • 5/5
      A wonderful very gripping story! I loved the book a lot.
    • 5/5
      This is a really beautiful story. Narration was amazing as well.
    • 5/5
      I absolutely loved this! It took a bit to get used to the narrator but after ending the book, it makes sense for the choice.
    • 5/5
      I did love it. I couldn't put it down. Very well-written, tight story.
    • 5/5
      Poignant and richly emotional, a must read book for all.
    • 5/5
      The story is captivating! Full of suspense and totally charming! Will listen to more of this author’s books.
    • 4/5
      I love reading stories based on an actual event. Well done.
    • 5/5
      Read this masterpiece! I rushed to buy a physical copy because I loved it that much. Woody will forever live in my heart.
    • 5/5
      I really enjoyed reading this book. Woody had such an adventure with Red and Mr Jones. It was a touching book and narrated well
    • 5/5
      Fantastic. Not the kind of book I normally read but this one sucked me in good. The reader is absolutely perfect for the story and does a good job, doesn't try to put on voices or anything. Highly recommend.
    • 5/5
      It’s a sweet story with a good voice actor. I enjoyed it very much.
    • 3/5
      It's a good story! Thought it was a bit hard to get into. The middle was the most fun to listen to. The end was a bit anticlimactic. I did enjoy it, though.
    • 5/5
      Absolutely heart wrenching and delightful! Can help but consider my grandparents while listening to this! Woody is one of my forever favorites as a “leading man”!
    • 5/5
      Excellent story and very good reader. I highly recommend listening.
    • 4/5
      Danny Campbell did a great job reading this very touching story. I sometimes wondered where the story was going and it didn't lead to where I anticipated. It just ended. Not abruptly but a very sad yet very happy ending.