You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
medium-paced
I chose this book because I lived in Nairobi, and watching the movie always made me reminisce my time there, fondly. However, the book is nothing like this. It is racist, filled with imperialist entitlement, and overall, outdated.
Don't get me wrong; I like period books as much as the next person, as well as historic novels. But this was different, given that it's pretty much an autobiography. Baroness Von Blixen was one of my heroines growing up; she was kind to her workers, was invited into a Men's only pub for a drink, and spoke delightfully. Oh Hollywood, sometimes you do things very well!
All I can say for the real Isak Dinesen is she was a slave to the times. Back then, killing animals was ok, as was planting a monoculture, claiming indigenous people's lands as your own...etc, etc, etc.
I feel kind of sad after reading the book; it's always a shame when your heroes fall back down to earth.
Don't get me wrong; I like period books as much as the next person, as well as historic novels. But this was different, given that it's pretty much an autobiography. Baroness Von Blixen was one of my heroines growing up; she was kind to her workers, was invited into a Men's only pub for a drink, and spoke delightfully. Oh Hollywood, sometimes you do things very well!
All I can say for the real Isak Dinesen is she was a slave to the times. Back then, killing animals was ok, as was planting a monoculture, claiming indigenous people's lands as your own...etc, etc, etc.
I feel kind of sad after reading the book; it's always a shame when your heroes fall back down to earth.
Readable reflection about the authors experience in Africa. The love of the continent was evident and the colonial perspective hard to ignore. Some passages were more engaging than others. The discussion with the book group was enjoyable.
Karen Blixen évoque superbement sa vie en Afrique dans ce roman. En nous contant des anecdotes, ses souvenirs et des bouts de vie, elle nous plonge dans l'Afrique colonialiste, tiraillée entre traditions et modes de vie imposés par les colons. Si certains passages peuvent interroger voire, choquer, le récit et le témoignage de Karin Blixen sur cette Afrique en pleine évolution sont passionnants. Sa plume est superbe et parvient à nous plonger là-haut, sur les sommets du Ngong où se croisent peuples africains et faune locale.
Je lirai avec plaisir son autre fameux roman [b:Le Festin de Babette|5969543|Le Festin de Babette|Karen Blixen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1351446311l/5969543._SY75_.jpg|365263].
Je lirai avec plaisir son autre fameux roman [b:Le Festin de Babette|5969543|Le Festin de Babette|Karen Blixen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1351446311l/5969543._SY75_.jpg|365263].
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Nope. Not having it. I lost faith in the book awhile ago, but I kept trying anyway and there's no surer way of spoiling a book.
Although her anecdotal stories were amusing, there was so much of the White Savior mentality and tone that it stained everything else. I appreciate her bravery and determination, and how she came to feel about all the Natives and the land, and I loved her descriptions of Africa and of nature, but it was spoilt by the tone of superiority the text had.
I am left with a “meh” feeling in general, and would much rather have read some true myths and tales of Africa as told by the Natives than the white woman who worked among them.
I am left with a “meh” feeling in general, and would much rather have read some true myths and tales of Africa as told by the Natives than the white woman who worked among them.
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Read my review on my blog:
http://www.50ayear.com/2012/09/11/25-out-of-africa-karen-blixen/
http://www.50ayear.com/2012/09/11/25-out-of-africa-karen-blixen/