BoomerGirl Diary

You know how exciting it is to meet someone who has traveled or lived in exotic places and who tells great stories about their life? That is how reading Alexandra Fuller’s "Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood" makes you feel.

Fuller grew up in Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia), Malawi and Zambia in the 1970s and '80s. Her parents left the grey, sour weather of midland England to farm and raise their children in the glorious sun and dry heat of central Africa. What they found in Africa was a difficult, often agitated yet thrilling life: rough terrain, capricious governments, roving bands of vigilantes and the lovely sights and smells of Africa.

Right from the first page you are plunged into her world by her startling voice:

“Mum says, ‘Don’t come creeping into our room.’” “Why not?” “We might shoot you.” “Oh”, “By mistake.” As it is there seems good enough chance of getting shot on purpose. “Okay, I won’t”

And you’re off on a fascinating ride through the dusty, wood smoke-filled dusty and prickly thickets of the African bush. Black African soldiers roam around trying to force all the white settlers off their land, sickness strikes the children who are far from any doctor or pharmacist, there are scorpions in every rooms, and green algae covers the swimming pond. There are also fascinating animals to observe or even try to raise, compassionate neighbors, and gorgeous sunsets

But the rich setting is only part of the story. Fuller’s family: her father, mother and sisters Vanessa and Olivia capture you with their unvarnished words, stoic acceptance of loss and their vivid actions. All are seen through the eyes of a young girl, Alexandra, who is an exuberant explorer and loves everything about her life no matter how tough.

What makes this book so extraordinary in that Fuller tells her story in the first person present tense. Even though the book was written 20 years after her early life, you feel you are right there in the moment when things happen. Most unusual is her honesty, she never makes excuses, gives rationalizations or even explanations about the mistakes, prejudices or ignorance of her and her family. It makes the story so fresh and immediate, it's her life lived moment after exciting moment.

Read Alexandra Fuller’s "Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight" and tell your friends. It’s a keeper.