Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight cover art

Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight

An African Childhood

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Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight

By: Alexandra Fuller
Narrated by: Lisette Lecat
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About this listen

 Alexandra Fuller tells the idiosyncratic story of her life growing up white in rural Rhodesia as it was becoming Zimbabwe. The daughter of hardworking, yet strikingly unconventional English-bred immigrants, Alexandra arrives in Africa at the tender age of two. She moves through life with a hardy resilience, even as a bloody war approaches. Narrator Lisette Lecat reads this remarkable memoir of a family clinging to a harsh landscape and the dying tenets of colonialism.©2001 Alexandra Fuller (P)2003 Recorded Books, LLC Africa Art & Literature Authors Cultural & Regional Education Higher & Continuing Education Historical Heartfelt

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Critic reviews

  • Book Sense Book of the Year Award Winner, Adult Non-Fiction, 2003

"A classic is born in this tender, intensely moving and even delightful journey through a white African girl's childhood." (Publishers Weekly)
"This was no ordinary childhood, and it makes a riveting story thanks to an extraordinary telling." (School Library Journal)
"In this powerful debut, Fuller fully succeeds in memorializing the beauty of each desert puddle and each African summer night sky while also recognizing that beauty can lie hidden in the faces of those who have crossed her path. Highly recommended." (Library Journal)
"An honest, moving portrait of one family struggling to survive tumultuous times." (Booklist)
All stars
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I really enjoyed it. It's well written and narrated, the stories sound a bit crazy at times (even crazier when you remember they're true). An interesting account of a wild childhood. Some trigger warnings (child abuse, death, alcoholism).

Surprising

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“Work harder, Work harder” cry the Cape Turtle doves. I relax as soon as I hear them. Having lived in SA for 6 years and travelled through central and east Africa this book evokes such wonderful, and yes at times bitter sweet, deeply felt memories. The birds, animals both domestic and wild, the different peoples, languages, food, superstitions, eccentricities, landscapes and dry heat. It says a great deal about a continent that despite such terrible, devastating, brutal and cruel tragedies one’s heart can be so touched by a place that one could kiss the earth arriving back there. Africa is deep in all our souls. What a brilliant, often wonderfully absurd and humourous, poignant, beautifully written memoir. Yes I felt that I was there. I downloaded the sequel “Cocktails under the tree of forgetfulness” as soon as I finished. Thank you Alexandra for sharing your incredible childhood and for evoking such touching memories. I will always think of you as that gutsy nine year old left alone thirsty in the bush on her horse, wondering what it felt like to be shot. Wonderfully narrated.

I was back in Africa and I yearned for it

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So glad I found this author, would have happily spent a credit on this but included! Have now downloaded everything by her, so pleased I came across this book, her accounts of past events are almost poetic, the depth of description means you are there alongside her, definitely recommend

Brilliant

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I felt the story was somewhat disjointed and then rushed towards the end. Overall an enjoyable read though - but in no small part due to the excellent narration.

Narrator was outstanding

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Wonderful glimpse into a time that despite all the downsides the right people excelled in .

Don’t let’s go to the dogs tonight

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Growing up in the UK its difficult to imagine that, at the same time, someone was growing up in Africa in such different circumstances.
This was such an honest and eye opening story.

Very interesting living history

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A gentle, atmospheric and poignant rollercoaster of a story. Loved every minute of it. Having been to Zambia and Zimbabwe, i found myself remembering the smells, the dusty heat and beautiful sunsets. A real treat.

Beautiful

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I left in 1963 before the war but this wonderful book contoured up so many lost memories. Evocative and poignant. A lot of things that only resonate with those with Africa in their blood.

Memories of Zim

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A beautifully written book that took me instantly back to my time in Africa

Fantastic

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A story, beautifully written and narrated. It brings to life a family's history that is in parts, hysterically funny, devastatingly sad and also offers moments when it's stunningly brutal and breathtaking in its breadth, clarity, strength and honesty. I loved it!

Undenied History

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