Karen Blixen returns home from Kenya. Destitute and uneducated, she lives at the mercy of her family. She wishes to be independent and tries to become a writer.
Karen has started writing her first book in English and is eager to present her work to a British publisher. However, her family is reluctant to help her financially.
Through her family, Karen gets into contact with Dorothy Canfield, a best-selling American author, who helps Karen get the right connections to a publicist.
Karen is suffering much from her illness. At the same time, she hesitates to publish her book in Denmark, fearing the reception of its daring contents.
Karen is writing her book about her years in East Africa, attracting Glydendal's attention; a disappointing review of Seven Gothic Tales troubles Karen.
Out of Africa is hailed in America as Book of the Month; back in Denmark, Karen is praised at the Glydendal publishing house; mother Ingeborg falls ill.
