Isak Dinesen

The Life of a Storyteller

By: Judith Thurman

Narrated by: Davina Porter

Isak Dinesen earned international fame for Seven Gothic Tales, Out of Africa, and other stories that skillfully combine elements of fable, social conflict, and psychological drama. She was twice nominated for the Nobel Prize. Yet the story of her life - her travels, affairs, and friendships - remains the greatest story of all.

Christened with the name Karen, the moody, headstrong, youngest of three sisters was nicknamed "Tanne" for much of her childhood. She was determined to become an artist. After she married Baron Blixen, she was the mistress and landowner "Tania" to those she knew and loved in her new African home. Finally, it was with the name "Isak", meaning "one who laughs", that she became known to the world as a master storyteller.

Each period of her life provided Dinesen with rich characters and horizons for her brilliant writing. Noted biographer and critic Judith Thurman draws on Isak Dinesen's letters, unpublished manuscripts, and family documents in this compelling biography.

Winner of the National Book Award, Isak Dinesen gracefully reveals the connections between a remarkable woman's literary creations and her fascinating life.

©1982 Judith Thurman (P)1997 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

• Winner, National Book Award, 1983

Absolutely well done

Judith Thurman did justice to the complex, captivating, brilliant heart and mind of Isak Dinesen. That it took years to compile & complete this masterful biography which then garners the accolades/award that it does, is not a surprise. The writing is sharp as a blade that can cut a piece of paper floating upon it. JT brings the reader into the cosmological consciousness of Dinesen as she effortlessly weaves her works alongside the chapters of Dinesen's life.

Looking back at a couple of decades of reading biographies, this is in my top ten. It is inspiring in its insight and brought me tremendous inner revelations about my own conscious and subconscious motivations.

I cannot recommend it enough.

Perfect reader for a special book

This is an excellent book to read, but something about the performer, her choice of accent, and approach to pronunciations make this suitable to listen to read aloud as a long tale, which Judith Thurman might have known when she was writing--and may well have been her goal for this tale of a storyteller--but it surprised and delighted me as I listened that not only was nothing lost in listening rather than reading, but something was gained.
I love Dinesen's work and this book ties so much of it together, ties it to the world (and the relevant unworldly preoccupations of many of the people involved), and says, almost in the same voice of the tales, what it means and what it bears witness to in a way I love very much. . So well researched and well considered, so masterfully crafted into something of both beauty and usefulness. Perhaps my favorite book.

Slight problem with the reader

Judith Thurman is brilliant. I loved the book! My only complaint is with Davina Porter. She does have a lovely voice and accent but she swallows words and phrases in every paragraph. When listening without headphones, in a car for example, this is very frustrating and annoying.

Confused

Would you try another book from Judith Thurman and/or Davina Porter?

Davina Porter yes!

Would you be willing to try another book from Judith Thurman? Why or why not?

Yes, she was thorough.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

Love Davina Porter's voice.

Could you see Isak Dinesen being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

no

Any additional comments?

Too much jumping here and there in her life. Would have preferred a more structured, synchronized biography. Informative but confusing.

over-written

While Isak Dinesen is fascinating and this author renown, this book is twice what was necessary. Further, the author should be forbidden from ever using the word milieu again.