Isak Dinesen's Africa: Images of the Wild Continent from the Writer's Life and Words

by Isak Dinesen, Karen Blixen, Yann Arthus-Bertrand (Photography)

In her memoir, Out of Africa, and in short stories, Danish-born writer Dinesen evoked a timeless Africa distilled from her 18 years on a Kenya coffee plantation. This lovely-looking but ultimately shallow picture book, a tie-in with the film based on Out of Africa, splices excerpts from Dinesen's autobiographical writings, stories and letters with color photographs of Africa's land, people and wildlife. For readers familiar with her works, the album is pleasant enough, though readers expecting visual signs of today's real, changing, troubled Africa will be disappointed. In an almost apologetic introduction, Judith Thurman, Dinesen's biographer, notes that the writer was not a conservationist, enjoyed big game hunting and had paternalistic, feudal relationships with Africans. Nevertheless, Dinesen upheld the dignity and value of African culture, and her rhythmic prose captured the complex poetry of Africa's landscape.

142 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Pseudonym used by the Danish author Karen Blixen.

Baroness Karen von Blixen-Finecke (Danish: [kʰɑːɑn ˈb̥leɡ̊sn̩]), born Karen Christentze Dinesen, was a Danish author, also known by the pen name Isak Dinesen, who wrote works in Danish, French and English. She also at times used the pen names Tania Blixen, Osceola, and Pierre Andrézel.

Blixen is best known for Out of Africa, an account of her life while living in Kenya, and for one of her stories, "Babette's Feast," both of which have been adapted into Academy Award-winning motion pictures. She is also noted for her Seven Gothic Tales, particularly in Denmark.

(wikipedia)

Reviews

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Ants · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is gratifying that Karen Blixen, writing under the name of Isak Dinesen, has inspired so many readers of her work. Unfortunately, the inspired reading does not seem to correlate to accurate descriptions of the book.

Based on the ISBN number, this book is a Sierra Club picture book that uses quotes from the original story as well as historical and current photos to present a visual image of Isak Dinesen's Africa. The Sierra Club picture book was published in 1985. For this reader's who thought this was less than satisfactory, you are correct since the original book published in 1937 was a story, not a picture book.

I think Goodreads may realize the inaccuracies, but with nearly 5,000 reviews, I think the problem is too big to correct.

For pictures, follow the ISBN and get this book.

For the real tale, get the 1937 version and read the story.
It is all a good thing - just confusing due to incorrect reporting.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I go to Africa now?