Leaving Before the Rains Come

Alexandra Fuller's beautifully accented voice, as rich and nuanced as her writing, makes her the perfect narrator for her intimate memoir detailing the dissolution of her marriage. Longing for stability, Fuller initially embraced her American husband's pragmatic outlook and settled existence as the ideal counterpoint to her unconventional African upbringing, which she wrote about in DON'T LET'S GO TO THE DOGS TONIGHT. Reminiscing about the excitement, if not outright terror, of a childhood lived on the edge of the jungle under the benign neglect of eccentric parents, Fuller reluctantly accepts that this very predictability is the primary reason the marriage ultimately failed. The loss and regret this brings come through clearly as does her early joy and optimism. Fuller's gifted performance lets listeners share this deeply personal journey through sadness to trust in a happier future. M.O.B. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine

November 17, 2014
Thinking back to 1994, when the African-raised Fuller (Cocktail Hour Under the Tree of Forgetfulness), her American husband, and their infant daughter left their cottage in Zimbabwe for a life in the mountains of Idaho and Wyoming, she writes, “Our marriage wasn’t going to be about nearly dying, and violent beauty, and unpredictability... sensible decisions, college funds, mortgages, and car payments.” In her newest memoir, Fuller insightfully explores the contrasts between the different landscapes and their corresponding mind-sets, as well as between the safe investment she intended with her marriage and the messy, isolating reality of where the relationship ended. As always, when Fuller describes the African farms of her childhood, her prose vibrates with life and death and dry British sensibility. Equally sharp are her observations about American life and its all-consuming pursuit of convenience and comfort. However, this book also attempts to tackle territory for more familiar to her Western audience—a sad, drawn-out divorce complicated by three adored children and piles of debt. Understandably, the utter banality of the day-to-day proves more difficult for Fuller to enliven with her signature punch. Nonetheless, the rich narration of Fuller’s upbringing, sensibility, and loneliness make clear that she remains one of the most gifted and important memoirists of our time. Agent: Melanie Jackson, Melanie Jackson Agency.

June 15, 2015

Fuller (Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight) follows her two previous memoirs about her childhood during the Rhodesian wars with this third memoir about the dissolution of her marriage and her return to Africa. The doomed union is traced from the couple's Zambian courtship to its end in the wake of Fuller's husband's near-fatal horse-riding accident in the United States. Fuller's family again plays a large role as the author reflects on the circumstances that shaped both her personality and her expectations for her life. Fans of Fuller's previous work will enjoy the opportunity to revisit her eccentric family and learn more about the unconventional lifestyle of Zambian farmers. Fuller's prose throughout is exquisite, poetic, and rich with her unique voice. The audiobook features narration by the author, heightening the intimacy of the story. VERDICT This title will appeal to Fuller's fans as well as those looking for a read-alike to Elizabeth Gilbert's memoirs. Recommended for all collections.--Julie Judkins, Univ. of North Texas, Denton

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