70 pages • 2 hours read
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371
Novel • Fiction
United States • 1930s
2021
YA
18+ years
In West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge, 17-year-old Woodrow Wilson Nickel drives two giraffes cross-country in 1938, overcoming various challenges and forming a bond with the animals, as well as the people he meets, including Riley Jones and journalist Augusta “Red” Lowe. The journey becomes a deeply transformative experience, highlighting the themes of resilience, hope, love, and the importance of storytelling. The novel contains themes of trauma, racism, and animal abuse.
Adventurous
Heartwarming
Nostalgic
Inspirational
248,401 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge is widely praised for its engaging historical setting and vivid storytelling. Reviewers appreciate the heartfelt journey and well-developed characters, though some note that the pacing can be slow at times. Overall, the novel captures the spirit of adventure and resilience, making it a poignant read despite occasional narrative lulls.
Readers who enjoy historical fiction with rich storytelling and animal-centric adventures, reminiscent of John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath and Sara Gruen's Water for Elephants, will relish Lynda Rutledge's West with Giraffes. It blends historical realities with a heartwarming journey, appealing to fans of road stories and Americana.
248,401 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
371
Novel • Fiction
United States • 1930s
2021
YA
18+ years
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