Reviews

Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood by Alexandra Fuller

gracefullypunk's review against another edition

5.0

Loved it. Fuller really paints a picture of this region of Africa, but she never gets overly sentimental or sappy. It's obvious she loves it, yet with some of the tales she tells, the reader is left with the impression that you really had to be there to understand such love (no, that's not a bad thing). She weaves in and out of time, so you get characters' personalities before you quite understand why they're the way they are -- yet she doesn't go overboard with making connections and spelling out any sort of psycho-analysis. She also is blunt with details about racism, yet never makes excuses or apologies. All in all, you are simply left with a vivid portrait of what a childhood in this region was like, without anyone spelling out the history or trying to deny/apologize for one family's part in it.

vanderwalt's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

4.0

jr2234's review against another edition

4.0

Really well done. A raw and unfiltered look into a childhood in Africa. Full of joy, heartbreak, wonder, and uncertainty. Name an intense emotion and the author probably experienced it at some point during her childhood. I docked a star because the writing was a bit disjointed, but overall I’d strongly recommend. A great read for fans of The Glass Castle or Educated.

laurabadara's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny informative reflective sad fast-paced

4.0

Overall a neat look into a childhood in Africa.  I do wish there was a bit more context occasionally, I found myself a little bit lost sometimes.  But overall it was a nice, quick read- I laughed, I cried, I realized exactly how little of an outdoorsy person I am and how truly high maintenance I am.

spamguy's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny reflective sad fast-paced

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Death, Miscarriage, Blood, and Grief

Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Racism, and Excrement

Minor: Vomit

bizzylizzie's review against another edition

4.0

This is by no means a perfect memoir, but the story of growing up in Africa in the 1970's to bohemian farmer parents is very compelling. A photograph starts each chapter, so it's almost like looking through a photo album with a family relative or good friend. Life there is harder than what you probably grew up with, and the imperfect, fluid way that her family deals with makes for an interesting read full of life lessons.

celestialwillow's review against another edition

dark informative slow-paced

2.0

caleyr94's review against another edition

1.0

I finished it for the sake of the coworker who gave it to me to read. Her favorite book. Just not for me. 

shaunie991's review against another edition

5.0

5 stars:
There are very few books in existence that I would rate 5 stars. This is one of so few. My first experience reading Alexandra Fuller. I was hooked immediately by this book and Fuller's writing. Would recommend to absolutely anyone. "Bobo" draws you in, Nicola keeps you smiling. Sadness, joy, chaos, triumphs. This book has it all and so much more. A+++

soniakweaver's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0