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)

So different and honest

Fuller's biography about growing up as a white African during the 70s and 80s in each African country ruled/formerly ruled by the British is fascinating. She doesn't gloss over her own rough behavior or warts of her family. Their living experience is really interesting as it was totally different than growing up in the US during the same period.

As a Zimbabwean in diaspora I enjoyed this book

Took me a few days To listen to entire book. Hope to see more from Lisette

Living, breathing, fun

Where does Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Among the best.

What did you like best about this story?

It takes you all the way into a completely different world.
It is filled with unique, simpatico characters.
And it is deeply, wildly funny.

Terrific look at life in Africa in the 70s and 80s

Fascinating look of a youth's life in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Zambia in the 1970s and 80s. Terrific insights into social and political life at the time in those countries. Author made you feel like you were actually there. Narrator is the best.

Wild Child!

Fascinating story of childhood years growing up in South Africa during turbulent political times, and a slightly unhinged mother! I quite enjoyed it for the most part, although did drag in some parts. Excellent narration!!!

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.