Out of Africa
Out of Africa
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1937
Book Brief
416
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Kenya • 1910s-1930s
1937
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen is a memoir by Karen Blixen set on her African coffee plantation in what is today Kenya. It chronicles her life among the Kikuyu tribe, her relationships with friends like Berkeley Cole and Denys Finch-Hatton, and the challenges she faces, from economic struggles to personal losses. Employing a nonlinear narrative, Blixen reflects on colonialism's decline with a somber and nostalgic tone.
Nostalgic
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Serene
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
45,548 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen captures the beauty of Kenya's landscape and the complexities of colonial life. Readers appreciate its lyrical prose and vivid descriptions. However, some criticize its romanticized depiction of Africa and colonial paternalism. Despite these issues, it remains a evocative memoir that resonates with the allure of a bygone era.
Who Should Read Out of Africa?
Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen appeals to readers who appreciate lyrical prose, evocative landscapes, and historical memoirs. Fans of Hemingway’s The Green Hills of Africa or Thoreau’s Walden will find a profound connection in Dinesen’s exploration of colonial Kenya’s beauty and its cultural intricacies.
45,548 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
416
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Kenya • 1910s-1930s
1937
Adult
18+ years
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