Thought-provoking, meaningful reading

books:

	• Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood Alexandra Fuller Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2003 - 336 pages average customer review:based on 181 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Hope

Yes it's about a family tragedy set within an awful war, but unlike some books that grind on and on with sadness and despair there is none of that here. I was riveted by the author's gritty, honest, down to earth style, and how she made that convincing even from the viewpoint of a child. At the worst moments of the story it was not helplessness, but pluck, determination and human dignity that reverberated through the words. The author is a survivor not a victim. The end of the book came far too soon... I was left wanting the rest of the story. And I was left with one feeling-hope.

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The Poisonwood Bible?

I've been stuck in an Africa rut lately, especially after reading The Poisonwood Bible for a second time this summer. Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight was refreshing. It offered me a completely different point of view because everything else included in my "Africa rut" has consisted of characters learning how to coexist with the native habitants. I suppose the main difference here is that in this book the characters have always lived in Africa whereas in all the others, the characters are coming to Africa later in their lives.

Fuller only came to realize that she and her family were considered rich when she was fourteen. She says, "And this is how I am almost fourteen years old before I am formally invited into the home of a black African to share food." Although she lived in Africa, she never actually interacted with anyone except white Africans. Not as much because she looked down on the black Africans, but because she didn't understand her situation.

This book offers a very interesting point of view, if that's what you're looking for. I enjoyed it thoroughly, just to be taken away from my life in NYC for a short period of time; and also to come out my my "Africa rut" with a book very much unlike the others.

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Thought-provoking, meaningful reading

My heart and mind are still wrapped up in this book. Usually, upon finishing one book, I immediately jump into another one, but I can't quite seem to do that with this book. This book is so full of life, it's hard to put down. Alexandra writes about her childhood in Africa so well...It's right out there, she doesn't mince words and she tells it exactly like it is. We see everything through Alexandra's eyes. We experience poverty in Africa, racism in Africa, life in Africa. That is exactly what this book is...an experience and one that is not to be missed!

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couldn't put this book down

I found that I couldn't put this book down. The author has fantastic insight into her own dysfunctional family. This is a touching survivor's story. A wonderful book, even more so because it's autobiographical. For anyone who loves reading about life in Africa and overcoming adversity in life, this is the book for you. Has a bit of "Nightmares Echo" and "Living Lolita in Tehran" in it. All excellent reads. Highly rated.

couldn't put this book down

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reviews: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, page 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20

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