Out of Africa (Modern Library 100 Best Nonfiction Books)

a unique time and place so beautifully described
she is driven and passionate about the land, the people and the animals...but also incredibly patient
I am so very glad that she told this story
I've never read a description of safari like hers

Karen Blixen and husband operated a coffee plantation in Kenya in the early 20th century. I liked how much she related to the "Natives", who worked and lived on the plantation and became her friends.Many were from different tribes and could not communicate with each other or her.

The narrative was more about the joys and tribulations of a resolute European woman in a setting that she was totally enchanted by rather than the love story the movie presented. Her relationships with the people and creatures of the land as well as the land itself were the real story.

It was so delightful to be traveling through the Masai Mara as I was reading " Out of Africa". I found her description of the landscape so very rich and her very personal narrative in the acquainting herself with the people and the culture was heartwarming. I truly wish I could have known her. Magnificent!

Isaak Dinesen is one of the most highly intellectual authors I have ever experienced. Deeply familiar with two cultures, Europe and Africa, quite educated and well versed in the Bible, she was quite fascinating.

The story and the prose is incomparably better than most writing. The way the author strung together her thoughts with regard to carefully describing a scene made the reader want to keep going looking for more.

A classic so beautifully written that I wanted to savor every page. And for those who have been fortunate enough to visit Kenya, her descriptions bring it back. For those who haven't, you will want to go.....

A classic so beautifully written that I wanted to savor every page. And for those who have been fortunate enough to visit Kenya, her descriptions bring it back. For those who haven't, you will want to go.....

Friends:

The Hollywood movie " Out of Africa " with Robert Redford is one of my favorites but the book mentions some things that you would never have guessed from watching the movie so it is well worth reading the book.

Here is a quote from the book for anyone who spends too much time pursuing a career:

" Even the Oxen that help plow the fields need a day or two of rest each week or they die early......... "

Google my name to Learn more......

Arthur von Boennighausen

Very different from the film. This gives a good portrayal of the African people in some detail and gives a good background to the problems which could develop in Africa after its colonial independence in the 50s

I found this differetn from the movie, and similiar to it at the same time. Many of the descriptions of the local people were extremely interesting. As a recent visitor to Kenya and Tanzania, it was especially interesting.

A touching account written with some depth about others, but superficially when she was discussing her own life. Most authors wrote that way in her day so it's to be expected. (Thanks be to God that someone made it into a movie and John Barry wrote the theme music.)

I only bought this book because I was reading Martha Gellhorn's letters and she writes about reading it (and loving it). So I read it too. Maybe it's because Martha was in Africa when she was reading the book or maybe it's just me... but when I bought it I imagined it would be more about living in Africa (before WWII) and less about other things. Or maybe I was just expecting too much form this book.

I bought this book after watching the classic movie. Although the movie was wonderful, this original work is much better. I really recommend this book. It is a really a good model for those who do not have their own ideas and stand point.