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.
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.
Karen is writing her book about her years in East Africa, attracting Glydendal's attention; a disappointing review of Seven Gothic Tales troubles Karen.
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.