Monica W. (hookedonmonix) reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 18
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.
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.
Sarah M. (sarahmonahan) reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 11
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.
Helpful Score: 11
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.
Laurie H. reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 14 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
This is a beautifully written memoir of a an English family's life in Africa. It is told by "Bobo", Alexandra Fuller, in a compelling and descriptive style that will have you hooked in the first chapter. This tale is sad; three of the five Fuller children do not survive infancy, but it is also humorous in parts. A wonderful read.
Nancy S. (nancys) -
Helpful Score: 4
a very enjoyable read. having spent time in africa, i appreciated her honesty - admitting that she grew up in a family that believed in white superiority. i just wished i could have gotten a bit more insight into her parents - why they chose to live in zimbabwe during the midst of a war of independence.
Lori M. (lormac) reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 120 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
This is a fabulous book. In addition to giving the reader a fully-realuized memoir, the author also provides a history lesson about the experiences of middle class white farmers in Africa during the 1960s-1980s. Do not miss this book!
Helpful Score: 3
I didn't find this book interesting enough to finish. The author jumped around a lot and made it difficult to follow. The writing style was boring.
Sandra D. (bookcrazychick) -
Helpful Score: 3
This book is awsome, beautiful, terrible. I will be thinking about this one for a long time.
Richard D. (niell) reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I found this book fascinating, in part because it is so well written, and in part because Alexandra Fuller's childhood was so unlike my own. Raised in a dysfunctional family during a time of profound transition in the life of Africa, she provided glimpses of life that I had neither encountered nor imagined. As her parents made decisions for the life of their family, I kept think, "Oh, no!" -- but somehow they kept putting one foot in front of the other. It wasn't an easy book for me to read, but it was also hard to put it down.
Helpful Score: 2
Fascinating insight into Africa through memoir. Fuller's book is at once touching, funny and horrifying. The book will stay with you long after you have closed the final page.
Mary D. (never-yawn) reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I read this book to learn about life in Zimbabwe for an upcoming trip. The autobiography was a funny and well written portrait of a dysfunctional family. I enjoyed learning the author's experiences as a white British family living in Africa during times of political upheaval. Although the book only offers the author's limited perspective of African life, I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys quirky autobiographies. The epilogue features descriptions of several other books for further readings about Africa which I am eagerly awaiting via swap.
Sena G. (bluegrassgirl) reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Oh my gosh....one of my all time favorites! Fuller is so honest, she tells all in this book. It is funny, sad and so interesting.
5/5stars!
5/5stars!
Sharon D. (booklit) reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 473 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A good read about a child growing up in Africa with unconvential parents. It is amazing that she survived. I could not put this book down.
Helpful Score: 1
Alexandra Fuller's rich and unique writing style had me rereading sections just to savor her descriptions. From one honest circumstance to the next, you will find yourself immersed in a world that is at once thrilling, scary, and sad, wondering at the fortitude of the family who insisted on living in Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Zambia during some incredibly tumultuous times.
Linda W. reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 12 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I enjoyed reading this book because it gave me a look into a totally different world than mine. I am not a fan of the authors plain writing style...but I would suggest reading the book...it is both sad and real...Linda
Sallianne D. (traveller) reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 79 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I was mesmerized by this story, mainly because I lived in South Africa many years ago and can imagine the situations described in this book. Africa sings to one, despite the horrific happenings described by the author (which no doubt happened during independence of the various countries). However, it brings current situations into focus for those of us interested in this incredible continent and the progress made.
Helpful Score: 1
This was the best book I have read in a long time. I couldn't put it down, I loved it!
Allison D. (laineybird) reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 9 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I laughed out loud many times while reading this book...felt like crying a few times as well. I look forward to reading Ms. Fuller's sequel to this book.
Lauren W. reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 23 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
interesting look into african life through the eyes of a white child looking back on her own life. i learned alot and also enjoyed the author's humor and good stroytelling skills.
Auliya B. (auliya) reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 141 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Extremely well-written about life in Rhodesia during the turmoil of political transition.
Susan O. (SuzO) -
Helpful Score: 1
Well written account of a young girl growing up in South Africa. Life is exposed with grimness at a time of unrest in the country.
Dolores K. (deedeeann) reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
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.
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.
Jeffrey S. reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 19 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Great story of a poor British childhood in the former Rhodesia. A real treasure.
Sue K. (Bossmare) reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 306 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Interesting biography, I read it in a day. The author now lives in Wyoming which is where I live. It's nothing like Africa but can seem like it at times. I do recommend this book.
Lani H. (tintin) reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 19 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Ms. Fuller gives the flavor of life in a hard-scrabble expatriate family living through the upheaval in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Malawi. I'm glad I read it.
CHERYL M. (Cheryl-Sam) reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 39 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
It was really interesting to me to read about a white child growing up in Africa. Her childhood was anything but normal. There is a lot of tragedy in this book. The author's parents are true characters. This is a good read. Not the best memoir I've ever read but still enjoyable.
Sharon M. (smassey) reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 2 more book reviews
I've been into reading about other cultures, etc. This was a very well written story of BoBo's life in Africa. She describes the families situation very well. It was a great read.
Laurie A. (Dalaiwmn) -
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.
Linda (taffey) reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 11 more book reviews
It was different,something I didn't know anything about. Passed it on to my daughter who is going to Africa.
Lori C. (lcharbonneau) reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 17 more book reviews
Good book! I really got a picture of a life so foreign to mine in her story. It was an amazing experience that I can still vividly recall months after reading the book.
Laura R. (isitfriday) reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 170 more book reviews
I found the subject matter interesting but very depressing and bleak. I dont know much about Africa, so it was interesting to learn, but so sad and poor. The dysfunction of her family also made me so sad.
Holly K. (holzoid) reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 12 more book reviews
This is a very good read. The follow up would be "Cocktail Hour Under the Tree of Forgetfullness", which is also very engaging. Alexandra Fuller tells a sweet but painful childhood growing up in Africa and I could hardly put it down.
Robert C. (racprint) reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 24 more book reviews
This came highly recommended, and I wish I could say I really liked it. I didn't. I couldn't get past about 75 pages. The story is quite interesting, but the jumping time frame is disorienting, and the florid prose really turned me off: way, way too many adjectives for my taste. If you are fascinated by recent African history, and can overlook my objections, you may enjoy this book.
Cindy (summerlady46) -
Could there possibly have been a childhood more dissimilar from my own? That made this book fascinating and wonderful! Raised in Africa with her sister, her daredevil farm manager father, and her strong, hard-drinking, bi-polar mother, Bobo Fuller lived more adventures in 20 years than most people will in a lifetime.
Though the family was unusual, I wouldn't call it dysfunctional since they truly cared for each other and made the most of their life together. I highly recommend this memoir if for no other reason than to discover a foreign country through the eyes of those who lived there as ex-pats.
Though the family was unusual, I wouldn't call it dysfunctional since they truly cared for each other and made the most of their life together. I highly recommend this memoir if for no other reason than to discover a foreign country through the eyes of those who lived there as ex-pats.
Rick P. (rickt) reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 20 more book reviews
Starts off in a mixed up way but settles down later. Ever read Farquarson's Physique? Draws you in some place where you don't really want to go! And those dogs!
Samantha C. reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 2 more book reviews
I loved this book. It really held my attention from the very beginning. An amazing story of living in Africa and of choices some families make.
Joan S. (happyface) - , reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 46 more book reviews
The writing is interesting with vivid descriptions of life in Africa as seen by a child growing up there. But the subject matter is distressing and depressing -- about a family dysfunctional to the point of almost being criminal. I'm pretty sure I'd not have finished reading this book if it weren't required reading for this month's selection of our book club.
Blythe H. reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 6 more book reviews
I loved this book; finished it in 2 days. It is a moving, detailed narrative of and extraordinary childhood.
I loved this book and hesitated a long time before passing it on.
Wendy S. (wwendyis) reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 31 more book reviews
I expected this to be as good as The Glass Castle, but found it disjointed and tedious.
Catherine L. reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 65 more book reviews
Very intersting. I have been to Africa and can envision her life so it means more to me than to most people.
Laura R. (lreinbach) reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 30 more book reviews
I really enjoyed this book. I would recommend. It is worth reading.
Not bad, but slow.
Ruth R. (yomamaruth) reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 366 more book reviews
The autobiography of a woman who was brought to Africa as a child and spent her life there with difficult parents, and tribesmen in several counties
Shirley P. (booknookchick) reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 117 more book reviews
If you enjoyed the Liar's Club by Mary Karr or the Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls, you'll probably enjoy this equally tragic, yet beautifully written memoir. I had already hoped Ms. Fuller would write another book and share her talent ... perhaps someday she will.
Vicki S. (VickiS) reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 67 more book reviews
Very discussable book for our book group.
Katrina M. reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 8 more book reviews
If you are from South Africa or enjoy books at South African history and culture, you will enjoy this book.
Wendi B. (bakerwendiw) reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 69 more book reviews
Really enjoyed the realism and humor of this book. Reminded me of The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, which I would recommend as well.
Lyn K. (LynK) reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 7 more book reviews
This is a story of growing up in Africa with a mother who is deep in the bottle. According to a friend who is from South Africa, it is right on the money. Humorous, poignant. You won't want to put it down.
Sarah B. (Pixie328) reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 391 more book reviews
From cover: In this novel, Alexandra Fuller remembers her childhood in Africa with candor and sensitivity. Though it is a diary of an unruly life in an often unhospitable place, it is suffused with Fullers abiltiy to find humor, even when there was no reason to celebrate. An awesome read
IONE L. (zaneygraylady) reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 57 more book reviews
loved this book
Agneta Z. (lovetennis) reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 2 more book reviews
Very interesting and informative.Learned lots about Africa.
Susan M. (petvet) reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 76 more book reviews
very interesting book about a quirky family
Jayne S. (dazyjayne) reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 5 more book reviews
Amazing story.
A candid look at her African childhood. "In wry adn sometimes hilarious prose, she stares down disater and looks back with rage and love at the life of an extraordinary family in an extraordinary time."
Dawn D. (dawnie) reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 16 more book reviews
Excellent
Merisa A. (nvangel) reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 162 more book reviews
good read!
Kathy P. reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 11 more book reviews
Well worn cover, but fantastic read!
Meredith S. reviewed Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood on + 13 more book reviews
Didn't like it
I have not read the book. The info. on the back of the book, was interesting. kind of drew me to it.
