Comment

Jul 04, 2011
"Out of Africa" is really two stories. One is the excruciatingly personal story of Isak Dinesen. The other is the story of Africa as it begins to think about itself-as itself. This book rates 5 stars (from me) for the following reasons. 1. I first read this book over 30 years ago and remembered it. 2. As others have noted, it has one of the most evocative opening lines in literature. For me, once read, not forgotten. 3 Books with a lot of physical description (landscapes, animals, sunsets, etc.) are not particular favorites of mine but this book overcomes that prejudice. 4. The evolution of the character. Like many brides of her era, she gets married with certain expectations that are almost immediately dashed and in a big way. And like many others she accepts her husband's decisions. It is what she does after that, and who she becomes, that sets her apart from all the others. 5. It is really beautiful and really sad.