Summary

Out of Africa is Isak Dinesen's memoir of her years spent running a coffee plantation in the Ngong Hills of Kenya. The book details her life on the farm, her relationships with the local Kikuyu people, and her love for the African landscape. Dinesen paints a vivid picture of the Ngong farm with its coffee trees, vast plains, and majestic hills, capturing the beauty and harshness of the African highlands. She describes the daily work on the farm, the challenges of drought and disease, and the constant struggle to make the coffee plantation profitable.

A significant portion of the book is devoted to Dinesen's interactions with the Kikuyu. She portrays them with a mix of affection and perplexity, recognizing their inherent dignity while acknowledging the vast cultural gap between them. Dinesen tells stories of individual Kikuyu like Kamante, a young boy she nurses back to health and employs as her cook, and Kinanjui, a powerful chief who seeks her counsel. She also recounts the tragic shooting accident on the farm, highlighting the complexities of Kikuyu justice and beliefs.

The narrative is interwoven with Dinesen's reflections on life, death, and the nature of reality. She shares stories of her friends and acquaintances in the colony, offering glimpses into the lives of the European settlers in early 20th-century Africa. Dinesen's writing is infused with a deep sense of longing for the past and a profound appreciation for the natural world. The book is a poignant reflection on loss, change, and the profound impact of Africa on her life.