Rutledge, Lynda, 1950-
West with giraffes : a novel / Lynda Rutledge. - First edition. - 356 pages ; 22 cm
"'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. 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"--Publisher 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 Wilson Nickel. Present day: At 105, Woody feels his life ebbing away. When he learns giraffes are going extinct, he finds himself recalling an experience he cannot take to his grave. In retelling his story, he explores what it means to be changed by the grace of animals, the kindness of strangers, and the passing of time. -- adapted from jacket
9781542021746 154202174X 9781542023344 1542023343
2022277526
San Diego Zoo--Fiction.
San Diego Zoo.
1933-1945
Human-animal relationships--Fiction.
Animal rescue--Fiction.
Giraffe--Fiction.
Interpersonal relations--Fiction.
Zoo keepers--Fiction.
FICTION--Historical--General.
FICTION--Animals.
FICTION--Coming of Age.
Animal rescue.
Giraffe.
Human-animal relationships.
Interpersonal relations.
Zoo keepers.
Animal behavior--Fiction.
Rescue of animals--Fiction.
Giraffe--Fiction.
Interpersonal relations--Fiction.
Zoo keepers--Fiction.
United States--History--1933-1945--Fiction.
United States.
United States--History--1933-1945--Fiction.
Historical fiction.
Novels.
Historical fiction.
Fiction.
History.
PS3619.U476726 / W47 2021
813
West with giraffes : a novel / Lynda Rutledge. - First edition. - 356 pages ; 22 cm
"'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. 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"--Publisher 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 Wilson Nickel. Present day: At 105, Woody feels his life ebbing away. When he learns giraffes are going extinct, he finds himself recalling an experience he cannot take to his grave. In retelling his story, he explores what it means to be changed by the grace of animals, the kindness of strangers, and the passing of time. -- adapted from jacket
9781542021746 154202174X 9781542023344 1542023343
2022277526
San Diego Zoo--Fiction.
San Diego Zoo.
1933-1945
Human-animal relationships--Fiction.
Animal rescue--Fiction.
Giraffe--Fiction.
Interpersonal relations--Fiction.
Zoo keepers--Fiction.
FICTION--Historical--General.
FICTION--Animals.
FICTION--Coming of Age.
Animal rescue.
Giraffe.
Human-animal relationships.
Interpersonal relations.
Zoo keepers.
Animal behavior--Fiction.
Rescue of animals--Fiction.
Giraffe--Fiction.
Interpersonal relations--Fiction.
Zoo keepers--Fiction.
United States--History--1933-1945--Fiction.
United States.
United States--History--1933-1945--Fiction.
Historical fiction.
Novels.
Historical fiction.
Fiction.
History.
PS3619.U476726 / W47 2021
813