West with Giraffes: A Novel

thenextgoodbook.com
What’s it about?

Woody Nickel is well over 105-years-old and feeling nostalgic. When he looks back on his life one grand adventure stands out. In 1938 two giraffes arrive in New York harbor after sailing through a hurricane. They are loaded on a truck and driven across the country to the San Diego Zoo. In one final last burst Woody frantically writes down how he came to know the Old Man, Red, and the giraffes.

What did it make me think about?

This is definitely the sweet, folksy story your grandmother would love. What a different world it was in 1938.

Should I read it?

Although this book seems to be loved by all- I feel pretty lukewarm about it. It is interesting, entertaining, and just a little too folksy for me. However I recommend it to anyone who likes light historical fiction.

Quote-

“Time heals all wounds, they say. I’m here to tell you that time can would you all on its own. In a long life, there is a singular moment when you know you’ve made more memories than any new ones you’ll ever make. That’s the moment your truest stories- the ones that made you the you that you became- are ever more in the front of your mind, as you begin to reach back for the you that you deemed best.”

NY bookclub

I loved the narrative style of this book. Reminded me of a Mark Twain story.

Amazing read that really let's you feel the human spirit and bring us back to simpler times

Go West (With Giraffes), Young Man Great book club pick! Woody is a 17-year-old Dust Bowl survivor who flees from his home after a tragedy. He jumps on trains until he arrives at NYC, where he encounters two giraffes at the dock, headed for the San Diego Zoo. Though the African giraffes made it through an Atlantic hurricane, their journey across the US might be even more perilous, especially due to the injury to the female giraffe's leg. Perhaps identifying with fellow survivors from a storm, Woody becomes intrigued by the majestic one-ton animals. He steals a motorcycle and follows along behind the trailer, eventually worming his way into serving as the driver. Another car also follows the group, its driver a plucky redhead who claims she's a photojournalist for Time magazine. Apparently the giraffes' adventure is based on true events in 1938, and I enjoyed learning some aspects of their history. My favorite part was the bond between Woody and the giraffes, who he fondly names Girl and Boy. The story is told through flashbacks from 105-year-old Woody, and narrator Danny Campbell's raspy voice fit the character. As Woody explains: "Time plays its cruelest trick without you knowing it. Even the memories the body holds most dear become like scratchy old phonograph records played too long, fading in and out, with little sound and even less fury." This book fell a little short of five stars for me because Woody's family trauma seemed weird and unrealistic. I felt disappointed after such a big buildup. I also didn't connect fully with the emotion of the story until the last chapter, which brought on tears.