Product Description
Un vento freddo soffia sulla splendida costa frastagliata, mentre una misteriosa cuoca francese armeggia nella piccola cucina: è Babette, che sta preparando il succulento pranzo che cambierà la vita della piccola comunità danese che l’ha accolta... e forse di tutti noi. Arricchiscono il testo le più famose ricette della tradizione danese. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (54)

Great...but could be better
The sum, in this instance, is not greater than its parts.
"Out of Africa" is essentially one woman's personal account of years spent living in Africa, surviving and struggling to maintain a farm and the number of people dependent on it.Isak Dinesen, also known as Karen Blixen, is a talented writer and does a wonderful job conveying both the objective reality and the subjective effects of each scene she describes.She writes about her own personal struggles maintaining her farm, describes the natives she encounters and, with much respect and obvious admiration, records some of their rituals and habits.In many ways, the work is a love letter to Africa because even in times of hardship and doubt, Dinesen's respect and awe for the land and its people is never in doubt.
Unfortunately, each of the individual stories- and that is really what this book consists of, a collection of stories- does not really add up to a whole that transcends its parts.Because Dinesen's reverence for the land is obvious from page one, the reader is not privvy to any growth or spiritual journey that she undergoes.There are hints of romance, tales of overcoming obstacles, and the closing stories do find her packing up and moving back to Holland, but she, as an individual, does not really change.
This is an excellent book and not only highlights Dinesen's strength as a writer and the ease with which she manipulates the language, but pays great homage to the land and the people of Africa.It could have been more, however, and ultimately leaves the reader a little unsatisfied.

Out of Africa
"Out of Africa" is the beautiful memoir of Isak Dineson. I went into the reading of it with high expectations-because I had watched the movie. "Out of Africa" the movie contains high drama, a mystical score, and a passionate love story that streaks the cheeks in tears.

The book doesn't follow a dramatic through line, as the movie did; rather, it is a delicate sweep over the whole of Isak's decade and a half in Kenya.

Dineson doesn't touch particularly close upon any subject. Rather, she hops from topic to topic, discussing the Somali women, the Swahili numeral system, an earthquake, deaths, drought, tragic friendships, birds, myriad visitors from Europe and the Masai Reserve, the Kyama (an assembly of elders of a farm in her day, which was authorized by the government to settle local differences among squatters), a visit by the Prince of Wales (he is given far less coverage than the visit and later death of her friend Chief Kinanjui of the Kikuyu people), Nairobi, coffee-farming, the geographical position of her farm, safaris, giraffes, majestic lions, her medical practice on the farm, Kamante (her Kikuyu cook), and Ngomas (native dances.)

Isak Dineson was a poet, and every paragraph of her memoir is a song. You could open to any page in Whitman's "Leaves of Grass" and hear a melody. So too you hear music in Dineson, on any page and upon any subject. Her phrasing is so spiritual and fragile it seems to weep from the pages, and yet in that weeping is very deep love and very deep respect-so deep that she cannot separate one memory from any other. It's for this reason the through line isn't there. There is no start, finish or climax to her memories. It's one continuous thought.

Beyond My Expectations
I decided to read this book for two reasons.First, I liked the film from the 80s that was based on the book.Second, I have visited Africa several times (six and counting).I anticipated that the style of writing would be old fashioned but that I would enjoy the subject matter (Africa) enough to make it enjoyable.

My expectations were far exceeded.The author "paints vivid and beautiful pictures" with her story telling.For example, some of the sad tales left me feeling personally sad.The book was very enjoyable.

For those interested in the history of the British Kenya Colony, I also recommend the books "Something of Value" and "Uhuru" by Robert Ruark, set at the time of the build up to, and then, independence.

Brilliant Writing!
When I ordered this book, I thought that I had previously read it and was simply replacing a lost volume.Apparently, I had confused Dinesen's work with that of Markham's "West With the Night", another excellent chronicle about the same time and place.As much as I loved Markham's book, this one is better!

The book not only offers sensitive portraits of a range of characters who played a role in the daily life of Blixen (Dinesen)when she lived on her famous farm (at the foot of the Ngong Hills), but it also reveals, thereby, the surprising depth of Blixen's empathy with the people around her.Blixen, a Danish baroness, gives us a truly remarkable rendition of West Africa in the era of early European colonialization, as the traditional lives of the Somalis, the Masai and the Kikuyu were just beginning to be impacted by "modern" civilization.Her language is beautiful.

This fond and poingnant look into the past gives one a new and expanded insight into the condition of Africa and its sons and daughters in today's world, as well as an appreciation for the complex personality of at least this one specimen of European aristocracy. The book is so VERY much better than the movie.

Out of Africa
It arrived promptly and was in excellent condition.The picture of the book didn't match the book cover I received, but that's no big deal :) ... Read more

Product Description
This digital document, covering the life and work of Karen (Christentze Dinesen) Blixen, is an entry from Contemporary Authors, a reference volume published by Thompson Gale. The length of the entry is 7969 words. The page length listed above is based on a typical 300-word page. Although the exact content of each entry from this volume can vary, typical entries include the following information:

• Place and date of birth and death (if deceased)
• Family members
• Education
• Professional associations and honors
• Employment
• Writings, including books and periodicals
• A description of the author's work
• References to further readings about the author

Product Description
This digital document is an article from Scandinavian Studies, published by Society for the Advancement of Scandinavian Study on March 22, 2010. The length of the article is 18918 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Soldier's daughter: Karen Blixen on Nazism--"Breve fra et Land i Krig".(Critical essay)
Author: Marianne Stecher-Hansen
Publication: Scandinavian Studies (Magazine/Journal)
Date: March 22, 2010
Publisher: Society for the Advancement of Scandinavian Study
Volume: 82Issue: 1Page: 53(42)

Article Type: Critical essay

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This digital document is an article from Scandinavian Studies, published by Society for the Advancement of Scandinavian Study on December 22, 2003. The length of the article is 1122 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Hans-Goran Ekman. Karen Blixens paradoxer. Om Sju romantiska berattelser, Den afrikanska farmen och Vintersagor.(Book Review)
Author: Susan Brantly
Publication: Scandinavian Studies (Refereed)
Date: December 22, 2003
Publisher: Society for the Advancement of Scandinavian Study
Volume: 75Issue: 4Page: 613(3)

Article Type: Book Review

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This digital document is an article from Scandinavian Studies, published by Society for the Advancement of Scandinavian Study on March 22, 2001. The length of the article is 574 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Kunst og erfaring: En studie i Karen Blixens forfatterskap.(Review) (book review)
Author: Lynn R. Wilkinson
Publication: Scandinavian Studies (Refereed)
Date: March 22, 2001
Publisher: Society for the Advancement of Scandinavian Study
Volume: 73Issue: 1Page: 77

Article Type: Book Review

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Les achats comprennent une adhésion à l'essai gratuite au club de livres de l'éditeur, dans lequel vous pouvez choisir parmi plus d'un million d'ouvrages, sans frais. Le livre consiste d'articles Wikipedia sur : Karen Blixen, Janina Katz, Naja Marie Aidt, Karen Brunés, Pia Tafdrup. Non illustré. Mises à jour gratuites en ligne. Extrait : La baronne Karen von Blixen-Finecke, née Karen Christentze Dinesen, et connue sous son nom de plume d'Isak Dinesen (17 avril 1885 à Rungstedlund - 7 septembre 1962 à Rungstedlund) est une femme de lettres danoise, célèbre pour avoir écrit La Ferme africaine dont est tiré le film Out of Africa : Souvenirs d'Afrique et Anecdotes du destin dont une nouvelle sert de base au film Le Festin de Babette. Elle est la fille d'Ingeborg Westenholz et de l'écrivain et officier Wilhelm Dinesen qui, semble-t-il, aurait été atteint de syphilis, et en conséquence se suicide par pendaison alors que Karen n'a que neuf ans, en 1895. Elle fait ses études à Copenhague, puis des études d'art à Paris et à Rome. Riche, elle rejette le mode de vie bourgeois et se tourne vers la peinture et l'écriture. Elle disait Elle fait ses débuts d'écrivain en 1907 par la publication d'un conte Les Reclus (Eneboerne), d'autres suivront jusqu'en 1909, mais Karen Blixen cesse d'écrire devant leur peu de succès. En 1909, elle éprouve une grande passion non partagée pour son cousin issu de germain, Hans von Blixen-Finecke, suivie d'une longue période de désespoir. En décembre 1912, elle se fiance avec le baron Bror von Blixen-Finecke, frère jumeau de son ancien amour. L'année suivante, les fiancés projètent l'achat de la plantation de café M'Bagathi, qu'ils parviennent à réaliser grâce à un important investissement financier de la famille de Karen. Bror Blixen est nommé directeur des Cafés Karen, choix qui se révèlera malheureux en raison de ses faibles talents pour la gestion et l'agriculture. Le 14 janvier 1914, Karen Blixen débarque ...http://booksllc.net/?l=fr ... Read more

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Chapters: Karen Blixen, House of Pomerania, Norwegian Nobility, Henrich Krummedige, Heinrich Carl Von Schimmelmann, Henrik Ruse, Eigil Knuth, Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg, Povel Huitfeldt, Georg Nikolaus Von Nissen, Hartvig Krummedige, Jørgen Friis, House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg, Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester, Kirsten Munk, Ernst Graf Zu Reventlow, Caroline Amalie of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg, Axel Gyldenstjerne, Friedrich Leopold Zu Stolberg-Stolberg, Ludvig Munk, Christian Ditlev Frederik, Count Reventlow, Ove Juul, Frederik Krag, Danneskiold-Samsøe, Gyldenløve, Adolf Viii, Count of Holstein, Johan Vibe, Louise Von Plessen, Sophie Amalie Moth, Christian Emil Krag-Juel-Vind-Frijs, Marie Grubbe, Ulrik Christian Gyldenløve, Count of Samsø, Vincens Lunge, Anne of Hardenberg, Tovi the Proud, Ellen Marsvin, Canute, Duke of Reval, Frederik Christoffer, Greve Af Trampe, Anne Meinstrup, Charlotte Schimmelmann, Sophia Magdalena Krag Juel Vind, Christiane Sehested, Frederik Christian Raben, Ahlefeldt, Tage Reedtz-Thott, Countess Frederica of Dohna-Schlobitten, Christine Sophie Holstein, Torben Oxe, Hedevig Ulfeldt, Justine Cathrine Rosenkrantz, Jacob Nielsen, Count of Halland, Sophie Amalie Lindenov, Elisabeth Augusta Lindenov, Dorothea Elisabeth Christiansdatter, Valdemar Christian of Schleswig-Holstein, Sophie Elisabeth Pentz, Dorothea Krag, Danmarks Adels Aarbog, Gerhard Christoph Von Krogh, Jørgen Thygesen Brahe. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 214. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: The House of Pomerania, (German: , Polish: ), also known as House of Greifen or House of Griffins, was a dynasty of dukes that ruled the Duchy of Pomerania from the 12th century until 1637. The name was used by the dynasty since the 15th century and had been ...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=8343514 ... Read more

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This digital document is an article from Scandinavian Studies, published by Society for the Advancement of Scandinavian Study on September 22, 2004. The length of the article is 1127 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Frantz Leander Hansen. The Aristocratic Universe of Karen Blixen: Destiny and the Denial of Fate.(Book Review)
Author: Susan Brantly
Publication: Scandinavian Studies (Refereed)
Date: September 22, 2004
Publisher: Society for the Advancement of Scandinavian Study
Volume: 76Issue: 3Page: 429(3)

Article Type: Book Review

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High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! "To An Athlete Dying Young" is a poem (XIX) in AE Housman's A Shropshire Lad (1896). It is perhaps one of the most well-known poems pertaining to early death; in this case, that of a young man at the height of his physical glory. Published in the period between the two Boer Wars, the poem gained even more popularity during World War I, as many saw it as a poignant lament for the lost generation of so many bright, young men, cut down in their prime. ... Read more

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Chapters: Hans Christian Andersen, Søren Kierkegaard, Johannes Vilhelm Jensen, Karen Blixen, Svend Aage Madsen, Dan Turèll, Erwin Neutzsky-Wulff, Sven Hassel, Henrik Pontoppidan, Marie Bjelke Petersen, Morten Korch, Inger Christensen, Anders Westenholz, Karl Adolph Gjellerup, Jens Fink-Jensen, William Heinesen, Jeppe Aakjær, Jens Peter Jacobsen, Martin Andersen Nexø, Herman Bang, Peter Høeg, Bernhard Severin Ingemann, Thomasine Christine Gyllembourg-Ehrensvärd, Tom Kristensen, Aksel Sandemose, Leif Davidsen, Meïr Aron Goldschmidt, Christian Winther, Ejnar Mikkelsen, Henrik Nordbrandt, Martin Nielsen, Thit Jensen, Letters From Hell, Hanne-Vibeke Holst, Peer Hultberg, Carsten Nagel, Valdemar Adolph Thisted, Knud Lundberg, Josef Petersen, Sophus Christian Frederik Schandorph, Ib Michael, Peter Seeberg, Ole Henrik Laub, Poul Martin Møller, Pia Tafdrup, Thorkild Hansen, Peter H. Fogtdal, Leif Panduro, Margrethe Lasson, Erik Otto Larsen, Dorrit Willumsen, Kirsten Thorup. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 219. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Søren Aabye Kierkegaard (English pronunciation: or ; Danish: ) (5 May 1813 11 November 1855) was a Danish philosopher, theologian, and psychologist. Kierkegaard strongly criticised both the Hegelianism of his time and what he saw as the empty formalities of the Danish National Church. Much of his philosophical work deals with the issues of how one lives, focusing on the priority of concrete human reality over abstract thinking and highlighting the importance of personal choice and commitment. His theological work focuses on Christian ethics and the institution of the Church. His psychological works explore the emotions and feelings of individuals when faced with life choices. As part of his philosophical method, inspired by Socrates and the Socratic di...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=27069 ... Read more