Out of Africa

By: Isak Dinesen

Narrated by: Julie Harris

Length: 2 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

Danish countess Karen Blixon, known as Isak Dineson, ran a coffee plantation in Kenya in the years when Africa remained a romantic and formidable continent to most Europeans. Out of Africa is her account of her life there, with stories of her respectful relationships with the Masai, Kikuyu, and Somali natives who work on her land; the European friends who visit her; and the imposing permanence of the wild, high land itself. Stage and television actress Julie Harris delivers a reading that is emotionally charged and reflective, recreating Dinesen's lively appreciation for the land she loved so much.

Public Domain (P)1985 The Audio Partners Publishing Corp.

"I had a farm in Africa."

That sentence became magical to me when I saw the movie version. The novella by Isak Dinesen begins with this sentence, and the excellent narration by Julie Harris transports the reader to the raw beauty of Kenya and inside the heart of the remarkable Isak. The author shares her deep, reverent feelings about the people, the animals, the culture, and the land of Africa. An exciting life for a well-educated cultured woman from Denmark, but also a life of hard work and heartache. Beautiful descriptive writing.

Narrator takes this to the next level!

I loved the stories of the natives, their beliefs, the way they lived, their ideas of justice. I loved the animals in this story who brought Africa to life. I loved the narrator, especially at the emotional times when her narration seemed like she was telling me this tale as it happened, as it broke her heart.

Beautiful

I loved this book. It was told so beautifully and expertly narrated by actress Julie Harris. I learned a great deal of knowledge about the Somali people and the beautiful land on which they lived. The story was told with such love and feeling by both the Author and the Narrator.

Narrator was incredible

Thoroughly loved this book. My only wish was is it was available unabridged. And read by the Julie Harris.

Thank you!

Ya conocía la historia, pero muy disfrutable

Lo disfruté mucho, la narración es una verdadera actuación. En otro contexto podría hasta arrullarne pero en esta historia melancólica le queda perfecto. Gran novela.

My fourth re-read ... abridged audio

What glorious writing. I first read this in 1998, and re-read it for my book club in 2013. If you're expecting the movie you'll be greatly disappointed - Dennys Finch Hatton is barely mentioned. No, the great love of her life was Africa itself.

This time around I thought I'd listen to the audbiobook. Julie Harris is a talented actress and she does a marvelous job bringing Dinesen's words to life. HOWEVER ... this is an abridged version of the full book, and I wish I had known that in advance. Luckly I have a copy of the text and was able to read all of Karen's story.

Lyrical and immersive

Previous reviews have expressed disappointment in this book because it did not follow the movie. This is not plot driven, it is descriptive and expressive and something beautiful to listen to. The language is poetic and lyrical evoking the emotion of being in a place at a certain time of day, of year, of history. If you are a fan of the movie (which I am) you will be able to clearly imagine different movie scenes and learn their origin. You will better understand the relationships presented in the movie and the depth of love that Karen Blixen had for Africa, its peoples, and her friends. The only criticism I have is that this was recorded in 1985. It was not as clear as newer recordings.

Very well done

Her narration so full of emotion, as though she really lived the story herself. Thoroughly enjoyed it!

Fantastic

Out of Africa as a film had always been my all time favorite. I used to watch it over and over. This audio book brought me vividly back to the scene, her voice dissolves in the remote coffee plantation. I can see her ridding on her horse passing the hospital yard, I can feel her pain when her lover died. When she left Africa I was there watching her go. Beautiful story with beautiful voice.

Wonderful interpretation

A wonderful interpretation of this great book. I did notice that it is quite abridged- many stories were left out, but what was read, was read with true feeling.