Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight

An African Childhood

By: Alexandra Fuller

Narrated by: Lisette Lecat

Length: 10 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

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

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)

Fascinating African upbringing expertly narrated

This is the second of Alexandria for his books that I have read through audible. She does not disappoint he’s able to create amazing imagery of Africa and the people who live there. I found it to be a very fascinating book, and I plan on reading more of her available titles. The narrator on this book is top notch. She does great voices, and her pronunciation of African vocabulary and accents marks her as a consummate professional.

Interesting!

Sad but interesting. gave insight as to what it would be like to live in Africa.

Captivating

I couldn't put this book down, and now finding it on tape is a delight. The narration is engaging and entertaining. The author writes in an almost muscical style, it's like listening to narrative poetry in parts. The richness of the language and detail is truly luscious. I am usually struck by how "thin" many modern novels read, like eating the most basic and bland meal, with no spice or flavor. This novel is like a feast, rich and robust, filled with a symphony of tastes, smells, sights, and sounds.

Superb, writer and narrator

This is a gorgeous, sad, hilarious, very moving memoir. Fuller's parents are amazing people, and their situation is Africa is beyond imagining. Then add in Lisette Lecat and you will not be able to stop listening. This narrator is extraordinary. I generally avoid all but the authors reading their own books, but in this case I have to say I can scarely imagine even the author improving up Lecat. She must be South African, right? I mean, she has the voices & accents just pitch perfect. This is a great read. Oh, sure, it culminates in the narrator's wedding, which reminds you of just how young this writer still is. But give it to her. She's a remarkable writer--her restraint as impressive as her descriptive powers.

Marvellous

I keep going back and relistening to it.

brilliantly written

I loved the way pieces of every day life are shared in such a descriptive yet simple way.....narrator wonderfully brought it to life.

Delightful

Delightful, funny and beautifully recalled story of growing up in Africa. My life is richer having read this amazing memoir. Lecat’s performance is brilliant; I heartily recommend getting the Audio version.

great

great read, loved the rawness of the characters and richness of the discriptions. highly recommend.

Wonderful writing and narration

Captures the terrible aspects of pre and post independence of Zimbabwe from the eyes of a young girl in particular it identifies the love so many feel for the country they grew up in
Narrator is superb

Beautiful word pictures

Certainly not an action novel, but evokes the sights, smells, and feel of Africa. I loved this family, with their giddiness, pain and flaws, and kept hoping for their success.