What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedOut of Africa
Karen Blixen · Book · 2001
If you loved Out of Africa, start with Out of Africa (Sydney Pollack, 1985) — a film from the same story. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Out of Africa across media.
If you loved Out of Africa, you were drawn to how sweeping historical landscapes serve as the backdrop for profound personal transformation.
Start with the source
The source
Out of Africa
Sydney Pollack · Film · 1985
Films on the same thread
The African Queen
John Huston · Film · 1952
Shares a thread with Out of Africa: Self-Discovery.
Just as Out of Africa portrays the rugged beauty of the Kenyan landscape, this film uses the vast African wilderness to facilitate an unexpected and transformative journey for its protagonists.
Gone with the Wind
Victor Fleming · Film · 1939
Shares a thread with Out of Africa: Adaptation.
Much like the nostalgic and sweeping tone of Out of Africa, this epic romance centers on a strong-willed individual navigating personal identity and survival amidst a rapidly changing historical era.
Lawrence of Arabia
Film · 1962
Explores: Imperialism, Identity, Loyalty.
This film captures the same sense of foreign exploration and complex cultural engagement found in Out of Africa, focusing on a singular figure attempting to navigate an unfamiliar geopolitical landscape.
Breakfast at Tiffany's
Blake Edwards · Film · 1961
Explores: Escapism, Identity Crisis, The Price of Freedom.
While the setting shifts from colonial Kenya to New York, you will recognize the same spirit of the unconventional woman seeking her place in the world seen in Out of Africa.
Series on the same thread
Outlander
Ronald D. Moore · Series · 2014
Explores: Time Travel, Forbidden Love, Culture Clash.
This series mirrors the fish-out-of-water experience in Out of Africa, placing a resilient woman in a challenging foreign environment where she must adapt to a completely new way of life.
Life on Earth
Series · 1979
Shares a thread with Out of Africa: Adaptation.
If the nature writing in Out of Africa captivated you, this series offers a broader, yet equally reverent, exploration of the natural world and the evolution of life on earth.
Roots
Alex Haley · Series · 1977
Explores: Family Saga, Cultural Identity, Oppression and Resistance.
Where Out of Africa explores the personal experience of colonial life, this series provides a necessary, epic perspective on African history, resilience, and the search for identity through generational trauma.
The Book of Negroes
Clement Virgo · Series · 2015
Explores: Survival, Resilience, Identity.
This story offers a powerful counter-perspective to the colonial narrative of Out of Africa, focusing on the journey of an individual navigating vast landscapes to secure their fundamental human freedom.
Podcasts on the same thread
Desert Island Discs
Podcast
Explores: life stories, personal narratives, musical influence.
The intimate, reflective nature of these interviews mirrors the memoir style of Out of Africa, allowing you to connect deeply with the personal life stories and memories of others.
OUT LOUD
Podcast
Shares a thread with Out of Africa: self-discovery.
This podcast captures the same spirit of self-discovery and introspection that makes Out of Africa such a compelling memoir, offering a raw, personal look at the process of growth.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Out of Africa based on a true story?
Yes, Out of Africa is a memoir written by Karen Blixen. It chronicles her personal experiences managing a coffee plantation in Kenya starting in 1914, reflecting on the landscapes, the people she met, and her life as an unconventional woman during those years.
Should I read the book or watch the Out of Africa movie first?
You can choose either, as both versions cover the same source material. The 1985 movie is an adaptation of Karen Blixen's 2001 memoir. The book provides a detailed, firsthand account of her time in Kenya, while the film offers a visual interpretation of her experiences.
What is the setting of Out of Africa?
The setting of Out of Africa is Kenya. The narrative follows Karen Blixen's arrival in 1914 to manage a coffee plantation. She describes the ravishing landscapes and intense colors of the region, which became the backdrop for the happiest years of her life.
How long has the book Out of Africa been in print?
While the memoir describes events starting in 1914, the specific edition referenced was published in 2001. This version contains the vivid recollections of Karen Blixen regarding her time in Kenya and her relationships with the people she encountered while living on her farm.