How it Was with Dooms: A True Story from Africa

by Xan Hopcraft, Carol Cawthra Hopcraft (Illustrator)

Twelve-year-old Xan Hopcraft grew up with a pet cheetah at his home in Nairobi, Kenya. When the magnificent animal died, Xan wrote a story about what it was like to own a cheetah and how he died. With both photographs and Xan's own drawings, here is a real story of life in Africa.

Genres: Nonfiction, Africa, Animals, Childrens, Picture Books

64 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1997

Reviews

[Evie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just found this book again and reread for the first time since I was a child. My Dad taught the boy who wrote it and we went round to their ranch once, but this was after Dooms had died. A, short, tender story about the bond between a wild cheetah and the human family he chose to always stay with. I didn't know it had been made into a film! I'll have to watch it some time.

"That was his favourite, to feel the warm sun and the dry cool air around him. This was enough for him. And enough for you."

[Quan Byrd · Rating 5 out of 5]

nice story about a pet cheetah

[Thequaminator · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful pictures. Fun story.
Not at all like the movie.
Good for kids of all ages.

[Reagan Hedrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fuck yeah. No further explanation needed

[Terra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved Africa since I was very young. And ever since the first time I read A Story Like the Wind, by Laurens Van Der Post, I liked the poetry of life there; the way the people of Africa speak about and see the world, the way the animals exist. After seeing the movie, Duma, my son and I checked this book out from the library. The pictures are beautiful and the story is a captivating reality for the Hopcrafts (and a fantasy that we all wish we could live) of having a cheetah for a pet. The perspective of 12-year-old Xan, a boy raised in Africa who can see things so clearly and express them so beautifully is brilliant. His thoughts of friendship, respect, and death are lovely. Somehow he manages to put dozens of thoughts and feelings into one beautiful sentence. This was my favorite: "You know how it is when you're doing something you think is important and you miss the thing that's really important."
I love this book. It is just as good as the movie (contrary to what other reviewers have said), but very different. This is a story of a real life filled with joy, friendship, love and sadness.

[Christiane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recommended by a co-worker who remembered watching the movie, which is nothing at all like the book. A family living in Kenya rescue a baby cheetah and raise him to adulthood. The book is a collection of stories, photos, and drawings by seven-year-old Xan and his mother. The best part is the pictures! Especially little toddler Xan cuddling up with the full-grown Dooms, and Dooms playing with the family dogs.

[Nayeli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found out about Dooms because I happened to catch the movie some time on TV, I decided to get the book to know the real story and it's way better, not quite like the movie. It's written from the perspective of a 12 year old and it has beautiful pictures and drawings. Unfortunately, I purchased mine through Amazon and it came in black and white... still enjoyed it, but I would advise all to be careful when buying it online and try to find the hardcover edition if possible.

[Readersaurus · Rating 5 out of 5]

The real story behind the adventure movie, "Duma." Wonderfully satisfying. Full of photographs and a great kid's perspective on his wonderful, wild family member. I was delighted to find that this book had not been weeded, even though it's been around for a while (and I weeded the children's collection in the library it ILL'ed from!).

[Lorna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, this is a children's book, but after watching the movie Duma, I heard How it Was With Dooms is very different, so I found a copy of the book to read. Written and illustrated by a 12-year-old boy, and with photographs by his wildlife photographer mother, this true story of living with a cheetah in Kenya is both heartwarming and sad. Well worth the read—especially if you like cheetahs. :)

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Movie is better and has a MUCH happier ending. Would recommend Movie - -not book.

[Jerson Solar]

good

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a true story about a cheetah who lived with a family in the bush of Kenya. Told from a child's perspective (Xan Hopcraft), it includes family pictures as well as illustrations by children.