Reviews

West with Giraffes, by Lynda Rutledge

kaallen's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

sa23824's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

kc8's review against another edition

adventurous challenging inspiring medium-paced

4.5

julieclair's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

A well written story about an orphaned teenage boy who accompanies two giraffes on a cross country road trip during the 1930s. Based on true events. A strong sense of time and place, and an insightful look at depression-era culture and society.

sharib23's review against another edition

5.0

Well researched and entertaining. I couldn’t put it down. Great story teller.

thunderandlightning's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

rachel2727's review

Very slow paced. Just could not get into it. Finally gave up. 

cnrlgnl's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

hannahw430's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

kc_ashton's review against another edition

4.0

This book mixed my interest in history with my childhood love of giraffes. A true story of the cross country journey of two giraffes in 1938… the book is well written and a smooth read… I looked forward to picking up each day. It ended a little abruptly, I really wanted Woody to experience the celebration with the Old Man, as it was their relationship that changed Woody. And he never saw him again, that was disappointing. I didn’t feel the same connection to Red. Beyond that, I enjoyed all the adventures, a very good book. The giraffes were the stars and the description of their gentle faces and strong bodies was spot on.

Side note: Woody’s experience in the nursing home gave me a lot of insight into aging and wanting to hang on to your autonomy. After a full lifetime it has to be incredibly hard to be treated like a child. A good reminder to treat the elderly with respect.

Also, setting the book in 2025? And many animals are extinct? That bit seemed out of place. I realize the author was trying to make a point about the endangered species and I think that could have been incorporated but it didn’t mesh.