West with Giraffes

A Novel

By: Lynda Rutledge

Narrated by: Danny Campbell

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.

Critic reviews

“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

Gritty, sweet, amazing, sad, uplifting

I am NOT a writer and struggle with writing a review. This story should be shared, though! Was searching for something different to read, something different from the brain candy I gravitate toward. It is a peek back into a time in our history that many may want to forget, a time that most alive now can never experience. It's a love story .. and yet, depicts that there can be a blurry line between love and hate... or fear... it's about bravery, cowardice, consequences and compassion. AND it's just downright a readable and enjoyable story. I started with the Kindle book but bought the audio too, and I'm glad I did. The narration really added something special.

Terrific unique story full of soul and glory

The narrator was terrific and the perfect voice for this book. Well done! The story was unlike anything I’ve read before and really got me thinking about the pull, the connection and the lifeline between animals and humans. The writing was wonderfully subtle and engaging

Surprising tale of travel with Giraffes

1938 - 18 year old troubled young man’s tale told by 105 year old self. Survival in Dustbowl times of Depression-fast moving story of adventures on the highway from docks of New York to California, driving Him and Her to new home in San Diego Zoo. Enjoy!

Best story ever

Absolutely the best story ever told. It takes you on an adventure through every emotion there is. Absolutely awesome performance.

A very different story. I liked it.

At times, this story felt like it could have been real and completely farfetched at other times. Overall, I enjoyed the story and performance and would recommend.