How do the real newspaper clippings add to the authenticity of the story?

West with Giraffes is based on a true story. How do the newspaper clippings throughout the novel — which are taken from real papers and are nearly verbatim — add to the authenticity of the story? Did it make you feel more connected to the story and its characters, or did it distance you further from them?

I loved how the clipping showed the excitement the giraffe transport created. Times were terrible and this crazy story gave many something to cheer for, a distraction, and hope. It was such an unlikely voyage that it gave the writers great material. I loved how cheerful the stories were, how uplifting it must have been for the readers.

It gave the book an authentic feel that pulls the reader further into the narrative. It adds another dimension to the atmosphere of the journey and a window into how the nation was reacting to the amazing road trip of these two incredible animals.

I think the newspaper clippings added authenticity and excitement to the novel plus the continual coverage of Woody's and the Old's travels gave them encouragement to complete the trip.

Primary source material almost always adds authenticity to a work of historical fiction, or narrative nonfiction. That is, as long as it's woven fluidly into the narrative, as these newspaper clippings are.
They help us believe in the real plight of these fictional characters, and they give us a sense of the emotional zeitgeist of the time.

I agree with ruthiea about how delightful the newspaper articles were. While the topic was definitely lighter than what else was happening in the world, the way that they were written can teach us a lot about how journalism was different at that time. Even good news today is so dry because no one wants to be sued for misstating something, being accused of writing fake news, or being called out for being biased toward one political side or another. These were lighthearted and felt creative-something that newspaper articles lack today.

I love that the author included the clippings and telegrams. She placed them deliberately, at just the right places in the story.

There was so much bad news at this time in our history. It means a lot to me to know that people were feeling happy and excited about something too. The newspaper articles connected people all over the country who were rooting for the same thing. I think that was valuable, as well.

The real newspaper clippings added to the details of the story and reminded readers that the story of moving the giraffes across the country was true. The articles were encouraging to folks as they cheered for the giraffes.

I found the newspaper clippings an interesting element to the book and absolutely made me feel closer to the story. So much of today's news and events are found online or on streaming services. It was refreshing to read through the clippings to get a realistic view of the excitement in the country, especially given how tough things were at that time.

Really added to the story and make it even more authentic! I could just feel the excitement of the country following this story and the giraffes!

The newspaper clippings were a good addition to the story. In my opinion that added authenticity to the story.

The newspaper clippings and telegrams were a really great addition to the narrative. I really like books that are based on actual events from our history. I think the author provided a very authentic picture of the country at that time. She also fleshed out the personalities of the fictional characters making the story very personal.

The newspaper clippings were a wonderful addition to the story. The nation seemed to be cheering for the safe arrival of the giraffes and their team. Times during the depression were bleak but these articles and telegrams provided a snapshot of something good Americans could celebrate.

Anything that shows the validity of the based-on-real-events" claim is always a bonus. An example that comes to mind is The Radium Girls, another book I read from BookBrowse.

Like everyone else who has replied, I enjoyed seeing the clippings included throughout the story. It provided a nice tie-in for both the actual people involved (Belle Benchley, Riley Jones) and the fictional reporter/husband, Lionel. It made me also realize just how much information & pictures we have access to via the internet and television that was not available before. I loved that almost everyone who saw the giraffes were awe-struck, as it was their first time. The news reports following the giraffes along the way gave that same sense of awe to those that were following the adventure.

These news clippings complete the details of the story. You can just imagine the Front Page Reporters following the giraffes and then by extension, we get to follow too.

I too enjoyed the newspaper clippings, but I was intrigued by the contrast between the adventures we were experiencing with Woody and what Riley Jones was reporting to Belle Benchley in his telegrams. Our reports of events are often sanitized and dry, whereas the story of that event takes on a whole new life with emotions and drama.

I loved the newspaper clippings, and I agree with almost everyone here on the chat that they enhanced the story. I feel that each one gave a slightly different slant, which added to the story. And of course, they added to the feel of authenticity.

Years ago, when papers only wrote news that could be substantiated, they did add to authenticating a story. Now that there is opinion and not fact being written no.

I loved seeing the clippings appear in the book. The clippings made the story of the giraffes’ travels across the country genuine and highlighted the excitement of the people hoping to see them. A ray of sunshine during very dark times.

I loved reading the newspaper clippings and imagined what the people reading them thought. It lightens the mood of the country when there is something unusual or exciting to think about. After the pandemic, I walked to the end of my street to watch some military jets fly over local hospitals in recognition of heath workers’ contributions and hard work. It lasted only a few seconds, but was inspiring.

I, too, loved reading the newspaper clippings. It brought me closer to the story and made it more real and alive for me. It connected me to my own family also, wondering if they had heard this story when it happened and how they felt.

Based on fact, the newspaper clippings and telegrams added even more authenticity to the story. They also showed how news was disseminated and communication was accomplished before the advent of the internet and social media. That the newspapers followed the journey so closely also indicated to me how desperate the country was for news to take its attention away from awfulness of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl.

The newspaper clippings are vital to the story. They remind us of the hard times during the Great Depression and that a story of two giraffes being taken across the country could bring a lot of joy to people who followed the story.

I loved them. I would have been following them because in that dreary time period it most likely would have been the only excitement i my life.

I looked forward to the next newspaper article. It added a great deal to the facts of the story and told much about the atmosphere of the country at that particular time. It also showed how deeply Lynda Rutledge researched the book, so important in historical fiction.