Longing For Darkness: Kamante's Tales from Out of Africa

by Kamante, Peter H. Beard (Collector), Karen Blixen

Isak Dinesen and the land and people she loved are nowhere so real and compelling as in Longing for Darkness, written by Dinesen's majordomo, Kamante, and now boasting a smart new cover. Readers familiar with Out of Africa may recognize many of the enchanting stories. These celebrated tales and others are retold here from Kamante's perspective and are enhanced with his own drawings and letters, Dinesen's words and snapshots, and photographs by Peter Beard. Writes Beard, "Over a period of 12 years, as if divesting himself of his possessions, Kamante put down the extra dimensions of truth which are at the heart of Out of Africa."

Genres: Africa, Travel, Photography, Biography, Nonfiction

264 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1975

Reviews

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a long time fan of the work of Peter Beard and Isak Dinesen this book was a must buy for me. Tales of old Africa, from Isak's long time helper Kamante along with stories, folk lore and pictures from both Dinesen as well as Peter Beard.

I wonder what Africa was like back then, before the white hunter killed all the game, when the Colonists were not reviled and the traditional stories of the tribes were handed down from parent to child.

Great book, great pictures, one that will stay on my shelf.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating account from a native's perspective of his life with Isak Dinesen. Anyone who loved "Out of Africa" should read this book.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isak's Dinesen's "Out of Africa" is one of my favorite books. So when I found Kamante's book in a used bookstore, I was thrilled. It is full of illustrations and photographs with Kamante's words hand written on lined paper. At the end are illustrated folk tales with adages (some strikingly familiar to the Western reader) and copies of letters from Jacqueline Kennedy. In my opinion, a must read for any fan of Out of Africa. Kudos to Peter Beard for ensuring this historical document was published.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I advise that you read this in conjunction with Out of Africa for the two books tell of some of the same events and people. Kamante's book includes both photographs taken between 1914 and 1931, when Karen Blixen (Isak Dinesen) lived in Kenya's highlands and drawings by Kamante (her cook at the time) and his sons. I am grateful to my library book club for its decision to choose Out of Africa for discussion because otherwise, who knows when my plan to "someday" re-read both of these beautiful books might have occurred?

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Longing for Darkness is a facinating book that I have owned for a long time. I first saw it in the public library and wanted to own a copy. The book was written by the man who was the young boy that cooked for Karen Blixen in the book and movie titled "Out of Africa". He tells a his story in handwriting with pictures and drawings. The book is enchanting!There is an afterward in the book handwritten by Jacqueline Kennedy Onasis.

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone who loved Out of Africa, the book or the film, this is the recollections of Kumante, the cook, as told to Peter Beard and translated by Kumante's son or nephew. Graced with Kumante's drawings and watercolors, Peter Beard's photographs, and photographs and excerpts from Karen Blixen's writings.

A view from another angle, it captures a time lost forever when numbers of zebra on the veld were "as if the stars had come down from the skies."

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone who loved Out of Africa, the book or the film, this is the recollections of Kumante, the cook, as told to Peter Beard and translated by Kumante's son or nephew. Graced with Kumante's drawings and watercolors, Peter Beard's photographs, and photographs and excerpts from Karen Blixen's writings.

A view from another angle, it captures a time lost forever when numbers of zebra on the veld were "as if the stars had come down from the skies."

[Caroline Rono]

Currently reading the book, as an African- a Kenyan it's quite interesting to see how fascinating our world was before colonisation.
What is also interesting is the fact that none of the comments and reviews mention how blatantly RACIST the book is
Granted..I am yet to finish the book but some of the writing below the photos taken is quite triggering to be honest
The fact that no one seems to have noticed and in the 21st century is quite baffling

[Laura Paulisich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow❣️what a gem!!!

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I advise that you read this in conjunction with Out of Africa for the two books tell of some of the same events and people. Kamante's book includes both photographs taken between 1914 and 1931, when Karen Blixen (Isak Dinesen) lived in Kenya's highlands and drawings by Kamante (her cook at the time) and his sons. I am grateful to my library book club for its decision to choose Out of Africa for discussion because otherwise, who knows when my plan to "someday" re-read both of these beautiful books might have occurred?

[anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful look into the changes in Africa through photography

[Karina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book to get Kamante's perspective on some of the stories that Karen Blixen wrote in Out of Africa. Lots of photographs with captions and interesting tales.