While reading, who did you think was the "you" that Woody was addressing? What was your feeling when the "you" was revealed?

While reading, who did you think was the "you" that Woody was addressing? What was your feeling when the "you" was revealed?

It was easy to overlook the “you” initially. Between Woody breaking his pencils and dropping things and appearing to have bouts of unconsciousness while writing, I thought it was a weird quirk…
I was very pleased and touched when I found out who the “you” was (And that he had been crafting the story with a very specific person in mind.)

I really wasn’t sure who Woody was writing to, I thought maybe a child or grandchild of his own. Finding out who he actually was writing to was a bit frustrating as I wished he had written to her long before and then he could have possibly had some type of friendship with her.

I had two theories about who Woody was writing to, but as his story continued it became obvious why I was incorrect. In the last third of the book, I had a hopeful premonition of the person he was addressing the letter to, and I was happy that I guessed correctly.

I was not sure who "you" was but felt yes he was writing his memories to someone specific perhaps a lost family member or perhaps to himself ir the reader but when iti was revealed at the end it made sense and should have clear because of the friendship he had and is shame they could not have known each othe4r personally.

I did wonder who Woody meant by "you." I kept trying to work it out. Only at the end did I realize you was Red's daughter. I liked the surprise, and I appreciated Woody for wanting to tell the story to her because as he said it was NOT his story, but hers.

I actually thought that the "you" was a part of Woody's delusions along with seeing the elephants out the window, and the staff seemingly accepting "Red" as somebody he had made up. I never came close to realizing it was Red's daughter. I was literally moved to tears reflecting on all Woody had endured, and yet his final act was to make sure that someone special in his past would be known to her daughter, and he was the only one who could give her that special perspective.

Rutledge was so effective in her storytelling that I believed all a long that I was the “you”! I was surprised to learn who Woody was writing to/for. I burst into tears when I realized what he was doing! I think that I was particularly struck that Woody, over 100 years old, was still learning (stories must be shared etc.— this entire part of the book where Woody explains why he is writing was so very powerful). While this was Woody’s coming of age story, the other characters had important roles and stayed with him for the rest of his life. He honored them in the very best way by writing down his recollection of the journey and sharing it.

I thought the you was one of the giraffes... I loved when the story took a twist and the you turned out to be Reds daughter.

I knew that the 'you' Woody was writing to was not someone he had traveled with - not Red or the giraffes or the Old Man - but was initially not sure who 'you' was. I was pleasantly surprised though when Augie was introduced to the story and knew immediately that that was who he was writing his story for.

I had determined the "you" was Red and then realized this was not correct by the end of the story. I wish Woody had created a relationship with the recipient of his stories during his lifetime. This would have made an interesting extension of the story.

I thought it was maybe Red. Never thought of her daughter.

I, too, thought that he was writing to an imaginary Red. It seemed that he was floating in and out of dementia, and that he wanted to get the story down somehow for her. I was delighted when I found out who it was for all along.

I thought the “you” was the reader of his story. I was very surprised to learn the true identity and was glad that he felt it was important to write this story at the end of his life.

I was back and forth, but thought the you was Mankind "Us" the reader and he was stressing the importance of caring for animals. When I discovered it was Red's daughter, I was so happy (another place that brought tears). No one else knew Red's story and her zest for life, even knowing it would be short, her strength of character and bravery and the things she did for those giraffes like Woody. There was no one else who could tell her, her mother's story. What a gift.

I had hoped and was sad if it was Red's daughter right from the start. The scene where he finds out that Red had dead but had a daughter was heartbreaking.

I originally thought Woody was writing to “Girl” giraffe. It was so touching to find out at the end who “you”really was. Well done Rutledge!

I thought "you" was Red throughout the book until the end. I indeed was surprised that it was her daughter when that was revealed at the end of the book. I think Woody had such a difficult childhood that it was difficult for him to form attachments and when he actually did those attachments were for the entirety of Woody's life. I believe Red's daughter came to symbolize the daughter that he would have liked to have with Red. My heart did ache for Woody at the end because he seemed to live such a quiet unremarkable life. Ultimately, writing his story gave it meaning.

I admit to being puzzled about who "you" referred to until the very end of the book when all is revealed. I was glad to see who would be the recipient of Woody's memoirs. I liked the bit of mystery too.