Search - Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood

There are books and movies that I love, but can't bear to experience again, and this was without a doubt one of them.
Alexandra's childhood is so foreign to my own that I was spellbound by it. I went from horrified to angry to amused to heartbroken and back to horrified several times throughout. The book weighed on me like a sad movie for long afterward.
If you don't like books that are emotionally draining, this one isn't for you. But if you need an eye opener to dysfunction and danger, this definitely is.

This biography reminded me of "Running with Scissors " with is blunt descriptions of a harsh upbringing and highly difunctional parents. Ms. Fuller is able to retell the events of her life with insight and humor. A very good read.

Entertaining and honest. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. The author's abilities never lead you to think that she is trying to impress you with her use of language. I related to her family experiences and the perspectives where told from a child's perspective. A good read.

Really enjoyed the realism and humor of this book. Reminded me of The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, which I would recommend as well.

This book is heartbreaking, uplifting and uproariously funny. It's the story of a unique childhood, miraculously survived and beautifully described.

Alexandra Fuller, the "Bobo" of the story looks back on her childhood with equal parts fond humor and honesty in a voice that is almost detached.

You just fall in love with the whole family, her very "Pukka" parents-Mum, a second-generation Kenyan, and Dad, a fisherman and farmer at heart, the babies, Adrian, Olivia and "Robert" and her older sister Van (Vanessa), who despite being relentlessy read Shakespeare in-utero, steadfastly declines to read or write, which is a shame, because her version of the same childhood from her point of view would be priceless.

This is a childhood that begins idyllically in Rhodesia and treks through Africa as the family seeks to escape turmoil and revolutions as Central Africa painfully throws off its Colonial yoke. Each time they start hopefully anew and set down roots and farm with their beloved collection of horses and dogs.

Throughout the droughts, the wars, the tight finances and heartbreaking tragedies the Fullers never give up and never lose their love for each other and Africa.

Fuller tells her story in small sparkling vignettes. Her descriptions of the sights, sounds and smells of Africa are intoxicatingly evocative. The stories of her childhood are woven together with love, nostalgia, humor and a touch of regret.

Van claims to have never read it, and Mum refers to it Dramatically as "That Awful Book!", but I loved it.

This is an incredibly picturesque book. Her writing takes you to dusty hot beautifully wild, Africa.I will read this again, as it is as close I will get to Africa, In this life!Look forward to her other writings.