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  • 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
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (109 ratings)

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Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight

By: Alexandra Fuller
Narrated by: Lisette Lecat
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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)

What listeners say about Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Surprising

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).

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I was back in Africa and I yearned for it

“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.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Brilliant

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

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Narrator was outstanding

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.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Don’t let’s go to the dogs tonight

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

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Decent book, but cut short

really good story including some of Zambia and Zimbabwe's history. it seems it cut off the last minute of narration however.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Fav.u.lous. !

my heart is full. wow! yes! if you southern African. listen! it's dis once rating but awesome.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Hooked

Finished in a day! Reminds me of home. Well told with a perfect balance of emotion and adventure

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Very interesting living history

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.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Beautiful

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.

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