Editor’s note: The opinions of the smart, well-read women in my Denver book club mean a lot, and often determine what the rest of us choose to pile onto our bedside tables. So we asked them, and all Denver Post readers, to share their mini-reviews with you. Have any to offer? Email bellis@denverpost.com.”West With Giraffes,” by Lynda Rutledge (Lake Union Publishing, 2021)
In many ways, “West with Giraffes” is the type of historical fiction I prefer: It’s based on a real event (newspaper clippings are slipped between the chapters); the story centers around animals; the tale is narrated by fictitious characters with interesting backstories; and a few real people are featured. Although the ubiquitous double timeline is used here, the contemporary story still includes the protagonist of the historic storyline, lending greater coherence to the novel. It’s the surprising tale of giraffes transported across the U.S. in 1938 — after they survived a hurricane — in a knocked-together truck that should never have survived the trip. Wild Girl and Boy are engaging characters, and they function as the cynosure of this coming-of-age tale. Through them, two damaged, uncertain young people meet and experience healing — no psychotherapy required. Rutledge’s writing is competent, and I loved her animal-centric comments (i.e., “Animals know the secret to life”). The book ends with a gentle twist, and a comforting sense of closure. — 2 1/2 stars (out of 4); Neva Gronert, Parker
“The Explorers: A New History of America in Ten Expeditions,” by Amanda Bellows (William Morrow, 2024)
The subtitle is a misnomer if I ever saw one, since this is really not a new history. The expeditions that Bellows chose to highlight are fairly well known, from Sacajawea’s literal trail blazing with Lewis & Clark’s Corps of Discovery to Sally Ride’s work with NASA and space exploration. What’s new here is perhaps the juxtaposition of these particular stories, underscoring the importance of exploration to the history of this country. — 2 stars (out of 4); Kathleen Lance, Denver
“The Casual Vacancy,” by J.K. Rowling (Little, Brown, 2012)
This author is best known for her Harry Potter series, but she’s a fine writer for adults, too. The title is the British term for a temporary opening in an official position, in this case the town council, which becomes a catalyst in a struggle between many divisions of society: teens versus parents, rich versus poor, teachers versus pupils. Complicating the situation, will a housing development remain associated with the local council? The plot will convince you of Rowlings’ ability to deal with complex storylines and even more fascinating characters of all types. Her first novel for adults, about a little town with a historic abbey, square and other assets, becomes the setting for pitched warfare among, dare I say, “selfish” interest groups. — 3½ stars (out of 4); Bonnie McCune, Denver (bonniemccune.com)
“A Day in the Life of Abed Salama,” by Nathan Thrall (Metropolitan Books)
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for general nonfiction in 2004, this is, essentially, an account of a Palestinian man’s search for his young son, following a tragic and fatal traffic accident near Jerusalem involving a school bus. Interspersed with harrowing scenes of the accident itself and the father’s increasingly desperate search to discover his son’s fate are sections that basically explain “how we got here” in that part of the Middle East historically, culturally, ethnically, bureaucratically, militarily and geo-politically. Thrall’s book puts a human face on the complex issues in this volatile region. If you ever wondered “How did we get here?” while watching the news from the Middle East, this book is a good place to start to find an understanding. — 4 stars (out of 4); Kathleen Lance, Denver
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