“I had a farm in Africa at the foot of the Ngong Hills. The Equator runs across these highlands, a hundred miles to the north, and the farm lay at an altitude of over six thousand feet. In the day-time you felt that you had got high up; near to the sun, but the early mornings and evenings were limpid and restful, and the nights were cold.”
Baroness Karen von Blixen-Fineck is known to many of us because of Meryl Streep, who portrait her in the movie “Out of Africa.”
One of the rare occasions that I read a book after the movie and I fell in love with the story and the person all over again. The book is different; it is deeper and more touching.
I booked a flight to Africa when I was 18 years old; it was my first vacation alone and my first visit to Africa. I have a deep love for the country and it’s people ever since and that might be one of the reasons why I love the book so much.
“Out of Africa,” written by a woman whose voice conveys her genuine affection for the land, the animals and the people of Africa, is both wonderful and sad. Her writing is so vivid, she brings Africa alive with all the lessons to learn from the land and the people. In Africa, she finds love, trust and companionship and grieves over many losses; however, the losses through deaths -even the tragic ones- have a very strong sense of continuity and true repose.
I have read it many times and will continue to do so whenever I feel like traveling.
Second Time Around
Tell us about a book you can read again and again without getting bored — what is it that speaks to you?
Well, it sounds like I’m going to have to read this book. Your short essay made it sound great. My favorite book to read over and over again would be a more current selection: The Book Thief. I have never seen the movie because I felt they could only ruin it. It is not just the story, but the way it is told; the richness of its language, the imagery.
First of all, it is a pleasure meeting you. I love The Bookthief and also watched the movie and to my surprise I liked it as well. The main character is very well played. I think you will like “Out of Africa.” 🙂
OK, two more movies to add to my Netflix! Thanks.
When Ender’s Game’s Trailer for the movie came out I had just finished the book. A very good example of a movie that doesn’t go as deep in detail as the book. I also loved the Hobbit. I watched the movie first but felt that it hit the book good. Though I never got around to reading The Lord of The Rings.
Also I would love to see a movie for The Hatchet or Brian’s Winter by Gary Paulsen. He is my favorite writer of all time and he makes great books.
I’ve never seen that movie and would never have thought to read the book. Think I’ll add it to my TBR list. Thanks for the wonderful blog post.
You my friend will love that book. It’s tender, it’s gentle..it is powerful. A brave woman’s journey to Africa at a time, where women weren’t suppose to be strong-willed. A great love story about people.
Great!
Oh that is a good book!!! Even Hemingway said her writing put his to shame.
I didn’t know that. Thank you for telling me. I love all her books 🙂
Oops..Sorry. I was thinking of Beryl Markham, West with the Night! I always get them confused. Beryl only wrote one book. https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1054.Beryl_Markham
She’s the one much admired by a number of more famous authors. They said she wrote better than they did!
No problem I have senior moments as well 🙂
I haven’t seen the movie. I haven’t read the book.
… but I have been to Africa. It gets under your skin and changes you 🙂
It got under my skin and stayed there and whatever it is, it is calling me.
Loved the film, but haven’t read the book – worth buying for that cover alone. Africa. You either love it or hate it. I know which side I am on.
You will love the book, I guarantee you that. We are on the same side 🙂
😀
I haven’t read but seen the movie which I liked even though Streep is a bit too fond of crying in the movie while crawling out of tents.
I read ‘The rain my Drink,’ by Han Suyan many years ago. A very good read as well, and about Africa, (as is Blixen’s book.)
I got that wrong.The book by Han is about Malaysia and the British Empire and not about Africa. A senior moment of confusion. Sorry.
Don’t be. I am always delighted when others have senior moments as well.
Have a great weekend. 🙂
I spent a year in Zimbabwe when I was 19. I still love the memories. What part were you in?
I spend 2 weeks in Tunisia, that was my first vacation. Later on I spend a few months in South Africa and in Kenya. I too treasure the memories.
Very cool. I spent a week in Nairobi on the way home
Such a wonderful book and movie. It stayed with me for a long time after reading and seeing it.