“I usually prefer nonfiction, but (the novel) ‘West With Giraffes’ by Lynda Rutledge is based on some facts: In the late 1930s, two giraffes were shipped across the Atlantic to be placed in the San Diego Zoo. The ship was hit by a horrible hurricane which injured one giraffe, but both miraculously survived. Then, they had to be driven across the country to the only zoo at that time that was headed by a woman. The journey was covered by the press, and the country rallied behind these strange creatures.

“From this point on, the details are probably mostly fiction. The tale is told by a young man who is trying to escape the Dust Bowl tragedy of losing his entire family and has wormed his way into being the driver for the old zookeeper who has been sent to escort the giraffes. Seventy-plus years later, as an old man in a nursing home, he rushes to write his memoir before he dies.

“Together, the young driver and old zookeeper encounter Depression-hit families looking for relief, racism, first love, loss, betrayal and many moral dilemmas. The love and empathy both men feel for these, as well as all non-human creatures, is apparent throughout the story.” — AMY LOUISE BARNETT, Portland

---

Mainers, what are you reading?

Mainers, please email to tell us about the book on your bedside table right now. In a few sentences, describe the book and be sure to tell us what drew you to it as the pandemic – and its ripple effects – continues. Was it a need to escape, a need to dig deeper? Something else? Send your pick to pgrodinsky@pressherald.com, and we may use it as a future Bedside Table.