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Shout at the Devil
Wilbur Smith's adventure tales are big, bold and unforgettable. In SHOUT AT THE DEVIL, the New York Times bestselling master storyteller takes us to a brutal paradise engulfed in the fires of civilization's war...
A MAN ON HIS OWN
They couldn't be anymore different: an earnest young Englishman named Sebastian Oldsmith and an Irish American adventurer named Flynn O'Flynn who never encounters a rule he doesn't break. Fate brings them together in Zanzibar. A sadistic German turns them into allies, then into warriors.
A WOMAN IN LOVE
From the moment Rosa O'Flynn lays eyes on Sebastian, Rosa finds the man she would love forever—never mind what plans her father has for her. But imperialism is shaking Mozambique, where O'Flynn is the craftiest, fiercest beast in the jungle. And when Rosa and Sebastian lose what is most precious, they join a band of rogues, natives, wanderers, and hunters to start their own war against an enemy who has nothing to fear—and everything to lose...
A HUNT FOR THE MOST DANGEROUS PREY OF ALL
From the sound and sight of a charging bull elephant to ships ablaze on the Indian Ocean, this is a full throttle saga of survival—against nature, man, and the devil himself...
"Action is Wilbur Smith's game, and he is a master."
—The Washington Post Book World
"[Wilbur Smith] puts the reader right there with details that are intimate, inspiring, horrifying…. Fans will be happy to know Smith hasn't lost his touch for the dramatic, exotic adventure story."
— The Orlando Sentinel
A MAN ON HIS OWN
They couldn't be anymore different: an earnest young Englishman named Sebastian Oldsmith and an Irish American adventurer named Flynn O'Flynn who never encounters a rule he doesn't break. Fate brings them together in Zanzibar. A sadistic German turns them into allies, then into warriors.
A WOMAN IN LOVE
From the moment Rosa O'Flynn lays eyes on Sebastian, Rosa finds the man she would love forever—never mind what plans her father has for her. But imperialism is shaking Mozambique, where O'Flynn is the craftiest, fiercest beast in the jungle. And when Rosa and Sebastian lose what is most precious, they join a band of rogues, natives, wanderers, and hunters to start their own war against an enemy who has nothing to fear—and everything to lose...
A HUNT FOR THE MOST DANGEROUS PREY OF ALL
From the sound and sight of a charging bull elephant to ships ablaze on the Indian Ocean, this is a full throttle saga of survival—against nature, man, and the devil himself...
"Action is Wilbur Smith's game, and he is a master."
—The Washington Post Book World
"[Wilbur Smith] puts the reader right there with details that are intimate, inspiring, horrifying…. Fans will be happy to know Smith hasn't lost his touch for the dramatic, exotic adventure story."
— The Orlando Sentinel
480 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1968
312 people are currently reading
1441 people want to read
About the author
Wilbur Smith
320 books4,397 followersWilbur Smith was a prolific and bestselling South African novelist renowned for his sweeping adventure stories set against the backdrop of Africa’s dramatic landscapes and turbulent history. Born in 1933 in what was then Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia), he grew up in South Africa, where his love for storytelling was nurtured by the rich environment and tales of African history. His early years were shaped by his experiences in the wilderness, which later became a defining element in his fiction.
After studying at Rhodes University, Smith initially worked as an accountant, but his true passion lay in writing. His breakthrough came in 1964 with When the Lion Feeds, a historical adventure novel that introduced the Courtney family saga. The book’s success led to a long-running series chronicling the exploits of multiple generations of the Courtney family, spanning centuries of African and world history. Alongside this, Smith wrote the Ballantyne series, focused on colonial Africa, and the Ancient Egypt series, which delved into historical fiction with a mythical touch.
Over his six-decade career, Smith authored more than 50 novels, selling over 140 million copies worldwide. His works were characterized by meticulous research, vivid descriptions of the African wilderness, and gripping action-packed narratives. Whether set in the colonial era, the world of pharaohs, or modern-day Africa, his books often explored themes of survival, war, power, and human ambition. He collaborated with co-authors in his later years to expand his literary universe, ensuring his stories continued to reach new audiences.
Beyond writing, Smith was an avid traveler and adventurer, drawing inspiration from his own experiences hunting, sailing, and exploring remote corners of Africa. While he was passionate about wildlife and conservation, some of his views—particularly regarding big game hunting—sparked debate. Nonetheless, his deep affection for Africa was evident in his writing, which celebrated both its beauty and its historical complexities.
Smith’s influence on adventure fiction remains significant, with his books continuing to captivate readers around the world. His legacy endures through his richly woven tales of exploration, conquest, and the enduring spirit of Africa.
After studying at Rhodes University, Smith initially worked as an accountant, but his true passion lay in writing. His breakthrough came in 1964 with When the Lion Feeds, a historical adventure novel that introduced the Courtney family saga. The book’s success led to a long-running series chronicling the exploits of multiple generations of the Courtney family, spanning centuries of African and world history. Alongside this, Smith wrote the Ballantyne series, focused on colonial Africa, and the Ancient Egypt series, which delved into historical fiction with a mythical touch.
Over his six-decade career, Smith authored more than 50 novels, selling over 140 million copies worldwide. His works were characterized by meticulous research, vivid descriptions of the African wilderness, and gripping action-packed narratives. Whether set in the colonial era, the world of pharaohs, or modern-day Africa, his books often explored themes of survival, war, power, and human ambition. He collaborated with co-authors in his later years to expand his literary universe, ensuring his stories continued to reach new audiences.
Beyond writing, Smith was an avid traveler and adventurer, drawing inspiration from his own experiences hunting, sailing, and exploring remote corners of Africa. While he was passionate about wildlife and conservation, some of his views—particularly regarding big game hunting—sparked debate. Nonetheless, his deep affection for Africa was evident in his writing, which celebrated both its beauty and its historical complexities.
Smith’s influence on adventure fiction remains significant, with his books continuing to captivate readers around the world. His legacy endures through his richly woven tales of exploration, conquest, and the enduring spirit of Africa.
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September 5, 2018I really enjoyed reading this book. This is a stand alone novel of Wilbur Smith's. He is true to his game with lots of adventure and war and love stories. Warning the ending may disterb you.
Enjoy and Be Blessed.
Enjoy and Be Blessed.
July 1, 2021
"Δυο για την Κόλαση", εκδόσεις Bell.
Βαθμολογία: 9/10
Ενώ έχω κάμποσα βιβλία του Γουίλμπουρ Σμιθ στη συλλογή μου, αυτό είναι μόλις δεύτερο βιβλίο του που διαβάζω, μετά το καλό αλλά όχι φοβερό "Σκοτάδι μέσα στο φως" (aka "The Dark of the Sun") που διάβασα τον μακρινό Οκτώβριο του 2011 (η ταινία που βασίστηκε στο συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο μου άρεσε λιγάκι παραπάνω!). Λοιπόν, το "Δυο για την Κόλαση" πραγματικά με ικανοποίησε, τόσο με τη γραφή του, όσο κυρίως με τη δράση του και τα φοβερά Αφρικανικά σκηνικά του. Λατρεύω, πραγματικά λατρεύω τις κλασικές περιπέτειες σε μέρη εξωτικά και επικίνδυνα -και ειδικά όταν αυτές διαδραματίζονται σε παλαιότερες εποχές-, και τούτο το βιβλίο είναι από τις πολύ καλές περιπέτειες του είδους που έχω διαβάσει ποτέ μου. Πρόκειται για ένα κατά τη γνώμη μου απολαυστικό και άκρως ψυχαγωγικό περιπετειώδες μυθιστόρημα, που προσφέρει απλόχερα δράση, ένταση, αγωνία και ορισμένες σκληρές σκηνές και εικόνες, χωρίς ο συγγραφέας να χαρίζεται ιδιαίτερα στους κεντρικούς χαρακτήρες του. Μάλιστα, κάπου στα μισά της ιστορίας, λίγο πριν το δεύτερο μέρος, υπάρχει μια σοκαριστική σκηνή που πραγματικά με ταρακούνησε, όπως, βέβαια, συνέβη το ίδιο και με το δυνατό φινάλε. Όσον αφορά τη γραφή, είναι πολύ καλή και άκρως εθιστική, με γλαφυρές περιγραφές και ζωντανούς διαλόγους. Γενικά είναι ένα μυθιστόρημα που προτείνω με κλειστά μάτια στους λάτρεις των κλασικών περιπετειών, και νομίζω ότι είναι ένα άκρως ιδανικό ανάγνωσμα για το καλοκαίρι.
Υ.Γ. Η ομότιτλη ταινία του 1976, με τους Λι Μάρβιν, Ρότζερ Μουρ και Ίαν Χολμ ανήκει στη συλλογή μου, και λίαν συντόμως θα τη δω.
Βαθμολογία: 9/10
Ενώ έχω κάμποσα βιβλία του Γουίλμπουρ Σμιθ στη συλλογή μου, αυτό είναι μόλις δεύτερο βιβλίο του που διαβάζω, μετά το καλό αλλά όχι φοβερό "Σκοτάδι μέσα στο φως" (aka "The Dark of the Sun") που διάβασα τον μακρινό Οκτώβριο του 2011 (η ταινία που βασίστηκε στο συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο μου άρεσε λιγάκι παραπάνω!). Λοιπόν, το "Δυο για την Κόλαση" πραγματικά με ικανοποίησε, τόσο με τη γραφή του, όσο κυρίως με τη δράση του και τα φοβερά Αφρικανικά σκηνικά του. Λατρεύω, πραγματικά λατρεύω τις κλασικές περιπέτειες σε μέρη εξωτικά και επικίνδυνα -και ειδικά όταν αυτές διαδραματίζονται σε παλαιότερες εποχές-, και τούτο το βιβλίο είναι από τις πολύ καλές περιπέτειες του είδους που έχω διαβάσει ποτέ μου. Πρόκειται για ένα κατά τη γνώμη μου απολαυστικό και άκρως ψυχαγωγικό περιπετειώδες μυθιστόρημα, που προσφέρει απλόχερα δράση, ένταση, αγωνία και ορισμένες σκληρές σκηνές και εικόνες, χωρίς ο συγγραφέας να χαρίζεται ιδιαίτερα στους κεντρικούς χαρακτήρες του. Μάλιστα, κάπου στα μισά της ιστορίας, λίγο πριν το δεύτερο μέρος, υπάρχει μια σοκαριστική σκηνή που πραγματικά με ταρακούνησε, όπως, βέβαια, συνέβη το ίδιο και με το δυνατό φινάλε. Όσον αφορά τη γραφή, είναι πολύ καλή και άκρως εθιστική, με γλαφυρές περιγραφές και ζωντανούς διαλόγους. Γενικά είναι ένα μυθιστόρημα που προτείνω με κλειστά μάτια στους λάτρεις των κλασικών περιπετειών, και νομίζω ότι είναι ένα άκρως ιδανικό ανάγνωσμα για το καλοκαίρι.
Υ.Γ. Η ομότιτλη ταινία του 1976, με τους Λι Μάρβιν, Ρότζερ Μουρ και Ίαν Χολμ ανήκει στη συλλογή μου, και λίαν συντόμως θα τη δω.
December 31, 2017
What can one say about Wilbur Smith. Great books. This book is fantastic. The film was good too. Lee Marvin and Roger Moore if I remember correctly.🐯👍
September 28, 2017
This book was written by Wilbur Smith in 1968 and still is a classic. I say this because the way writers pen novels has in fact changed. Smith's characters are vivid, real, and passionate. The scenes and life in Africa before the 1st World War are explained in detail and I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy classics.
Flynn O'Flynn is an Irishman living on a beautiful plantation in then British East Africa (also referred as the Colony of Kenya). Territory beside this state is German East Africa (also then referred as Tanganyika). Flynn wants to make it rich, and comes up with the idea of killing elephants for their ivory. That trade is booming, but the largest herds are in German East Africa, where the commandant is less than willing to share their treasures. So Flynn brings on Sebastian, an uptight Englishman to pose as a German and collect taxes from villagers, also taking part in a hunting expedition where they collect much ivory.
The German commandant learns of this and journey's after them. Then the outbreak of the Great War (WWI) occurs, and all hell breaks loose. Flynn's plantation and family are threatened. Their very way of life is in jeopardy, and to make matters worse, the Germans have dispatched the largest battleship in that part of the world to back up the German commandant.
With revenge burning in his veins, Flynn and Sebastian trek to the battleship's location to try and sink her while she's making repairs. It's a daring plan, but the only way to maintain their way of life should they be successful.
"A daring novel of men searching for fortune on the Dark Continent when anything was possible."
Flynn O'Flynn is an Irishman living on a beautiful plantation in then British East Africa (also referred as the Colony of Kenya). Territory beside this state is German East Africa (also then referred as Tanganyika). Flynn wants to make it rich, and comes up with the idea of killing elephants for their ivory. That trade is booming, but the largest herds are in German East Africa, where the commandant is less than willing to share their treasures. So Flynn brings on Sebastian, an uptight Englishman to pose as a German and collect taxes from villagers, also taking part in a hunting expedition where they collect much ivory.
The German commandant learns of this and journey's after them. Then the outbreak of the Great War (WWI) occurs, and all hell breaks loose. Flynn's plantation and family are threatened. Their very way of life is in jeopardy, and to make matters worse, the Germans have dispatched the largest battleship in that part of the world to back up the German commandant.
With revenge burning in his veins, Flynn and Sebastian trek to the battleship's location to try and sink her while she's making repairs. It's a daring plan, but the only way to maintain their way of life should they be successful.
"A daring novel of men searching for fortune on the Dark Continent when anything was possible."
August 7, 2019
This is a very good book about a story set in the first world war between the Germans and the Englishmen. Wilbur Smith has forayed into an adventure by an Irish bandit, Flynn Patrick O'Flynn helped by his daughter Rosa and son-in-law and aide Sebastian Oldsmith in the jungles, rivers and the African coast. Surprisingly he has stayed away from his familiar poaching territory in the jungles of Africa with little or no mention about the teeming wildlife. This is a refreshing take about how the bandit and his family helped by local natives overcome a German plot to destroy the English navy in pursuit of selfish gains.
The book also has its elements of humour and a wonderful cast of characters, especially Flynn who is characterised as a lovable and cunning yet a doting father and a loyal friend. Totally entertaining and extremely fast faced. Loved the action-at-sea moments and the scheming ways of Flynn to loot the Germans. A fabulous work by Wilbur Smith.
The book also has its elements of humour and a wonderful cast of characters, especially Flynn who is characterised as a lovable and cunning yet a doting father and a loyal friend. Totally entertaining and extremely fast faced. Loved the action-at-sea moments and the scheming ways of Flynn to loot the Germans. A fabulous work by Wilbur Smith.
April 21, 2009
Shout at the Devil is my second Wilbur Smith read after Eagle in the Sky and an early outing for the author. Surprise, surprise, it’s an expertly written action-adventure yarn set in Africa, in which the sights and sounds of the fetid, boggy terrain are brought to life with sweeps of the great author’s pen. Really, nobody writes like Smith; his detailed descriptions of Africa and its land, wildlife and peoples have a ring of authenticity to them that other authors miss, and at the same time he crafts fine, edge-of-your-seat adventures.
This one is no exception. From the beginning we’re in the midst of excitement and danger; there are chases by land, by sea; there are interludes in the sky and in the water; there are dangerous crocodiles, even more dangerous German bad guys and the ever-present threat from disease and sickness. There are shoot-outs and hut-burnings, ambushes and mass slaughter, and it’s all pared down to the bone, without an ounce of padding. Smith writes in broad strokes in a way that few other thriller writers do.
The two lead characters bounce off each other very well. The idealistic young Englishman, fresh for adventure, seems alive off the page; the wily Irish-American, drunk for 90% of the time, is only too real. The villains of the piece are the Germans, but Smith is careful not to paint his characters in black and white. Some of the German seamen are well-drawn, likeable, brave and heroic, in sharp contrast to the puffing, overweight, always-eating Fleischer, a truly repellent creation.
As ever, sometimes Smith’s realism is too near the knuckle. Graphic scenes of elephant slaughter are likely to offend the thin-skinned and unwary; Smith also goes out of his way to depict the effect of violence on the human body, with many gruesome interludes. A scene involving a Portuguese pilot is still etched in my mind days after reading, thanks to the brilliance of the author’s description. It’s fair to say that the climax is downbeat, but as the author himself would say... that’s life.
This one is no exception. From the beginning we’re in the midst of excitement and danger; there are chases by land, by sea; there are interludes in the sky and in the water; there are dangerous crocodiles, even more dangerous German bad guys and the ever-present threat from disease and sickness. There are shoot-outs and hut-burnings, ambushes and mass slaughter, and it’s all pared down to the bone, without an ounce of padding. Smith writes in broad strokes in a way that few other thriller writers do.
The two lead characters bounce off each other very well. The idealistic young Englishman, fresh for adventure, seems alive off the page; the wily Irish-American, drunk for 90% of the time, is only too real. The villains of the piece are the Germans, but Smith is careful not to paint his characters in black and white. Some of the German seamen are well-drawn, likeable, brave and heroic, in sharp contrast to the puffing, overweight, always-eating Fleischer, a truly repellent creation.
As ever, sometimes Smith’s realism is too near the knuckle. Graphic scenes of elephant slaughter are likely to offend the thin-skinned and unwary; Smith also goes out of his way to depict the effect of violence on the human body, with many gruesome interludes. A scene involving a Portuguese pilot is still etched in my mind days after reading, thanks to the brilliance of the author’s description. It’s fair to say that the climax is downbeat, but as the author himself would say... that’s life.
November 13, 2015
3.5 stars
A historical fiction based on a real event at the time of the onset of the First World War. The story takes place in German East Africa, of what is now modern-day Tanzania, along the River Rufiji and its delta, and on both sides of the river, the Northern (German) and the Southern (Portuguese), the latter of which are allied with the British during the war itself.
Part One (4-stars) of the book deals with events prior to the war. I loved this part a lot. Includes a lot of African adventure, Game-hunting, Ivory-trade related stuff, Naval problems with the Germans, and some graphical violence.
Part Two (3-stars) of the book, deals with the siding of two men with the English and their assistance against the Germans. I did not enjoy this as much as part one, includes typical war-mission type scenarios, and drama. Not so bad though, although it could have been better.
Overall, reading the book was worth it, for the location was nice and interesting! The villages along the river, the forest, the river, and the river delta have been nicely described. :)
A historical fiction based on a real event at the time of the onset of the First World War. The story takes place in German East Africa, of what is now modern-day Tanzania, along the River Rufiji and its delta, and on both sides of the river, the Northern (German) and the Southern (Portuguese), the latter of which are allied with the British during the war itself.
Part One (4-stars) of the book deals with events prior to the war. I loved this part a lot. Includes a lot of African adventure, Game-hunting, Ivory-trade related stuff, Naval problems with the Germans, and some graphical violence.
Part Two (3-stars) of the book, deals with the siding of two men with the English and their assistance against the Germans. I did not enjoy this as much as part one, includes typical war-mission type scenarios, and drama. Not so bad though, although it could have been better.
Overall, reading the book was worth it, for the location was nice and interesting! The villages along the river, the forest, the river, and the river delta have been nicely described. :)
February 24, 2023
3.5* actually but I have enjoyed the book.
December 21, 2013
This was a departure for Wilbur Smith. I found this book to be quite funny in parts and the characters were entertaining! The ending of the book was so sad! I thoroughly enjoyed this book- I love this author!
February 18, 2023
Found this book in a used book store while living in South Africa. I'm giving this book 5 stars simply because as far as a Indiana Jones style airport paperbacks go including the Indiana Jones books, James Rollins, Clive Cussler and those sorts, this is the most exciting and fun in my opinion.
September 24, 2015
What can I say. This was pure, pot-boiling, page-turning, 100% pulse-quickening, pulp. Great story. Fantastic characters. If this novel wasn't written with Lee Marvin in mind as one of the protagonists, I'd be surprised- and on that note- the ending is different than the film. Very satisfying read. Looking forward to reading more Wilbur Smith.
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October 14, 2012Wonderful book. I have read a few other by this author and his descriptive writing just puts the scenes into your head so you can see what is going on. Love that!
October 10, 2023
Not really a TV adaptation, but I think the movie, starring Lee Marvin, Roger Moore, and Jayne Seymour, is much more well known.
The movie would never get made today, and probably the book would have to be self published.
An ivory poacher has a scheme to make a ton of money, taking advantage of colonial borders, and the distraction of WWI. Meanwhile, an upper-class rapscallion runs out of money in Africa, and seeks to make a sum. The two team up, fuss, fight argue, and bond.
A great book. I can see why they made a movie about it, but today, too many people would claim they were triggered, or something.
The movie would never get made today, and probably the book would have to be self published.
An ivory poacher has a scheme to make a ton of money, taking advantage of colonial borders, and the distraction of WWI. Meanwhile, an upper-class rapscallion runs out of money in Africa, and seeks to make a sum. The two team up, fuss, fight argue, and bond.
A great book. I can see why they made a movie about it, but today, too many people would claim they were triggered, or something.
February 23, 2015
This adventure story is set mainly in German East Africa and Portuguese East Africa before and during WW1. It is a tale of revenge.
The first half of the book, which is almost comical at times, is not as good or exciting as the second half, but it is essential to understanding the latter part of th tale. As usual, Wilbur Smith writes passages that are so exciting that one cannot read fast enough to see what will happen next.
The main characters are mostly credibly portrayed. Somehow, I did not enjoy this book quite as much as "The Power of the Sword", which is the first and only other Wilbur Smith novel that I read. Although "Shout at the Devil" is perfectly readble, it does not contain so much of the fascinating details and aspects of history that the "Power..." book contains, and its plot is weaker.
However, my interest in Wilbur Smith's writing has by no means be distinguished ... I have begun reading yet another of his books.
The first half of the book, which is almost comical at times, is not as good or exciting as the second half, but it is essential to understanding the latter part of th tale. As usual, Wilbur Smith writes passages that are so exciting that one cannot read fast enough to see what will happen next.
The main characters are mostly credibly portrayed. Somehow, I did not enjoy this book quite as much as "The Power of the Sword", which is the first and only other Wilbur Smith novel that I read. Although "Shout at the Devil" is perfectly readble, it does not contain so much of the fascinating details and aspects of history that the "Power..." book contains, and its plot is weaker.
However, my interest in Wilbur Smith's writing has by no means be distinguished ... I have begun reading yet another of his books.
May 11, 2008
Another holiday read! Well written as always yet I was shocked at the scene of the baby's death. Again I will look out for the film version...I think Lee Marvin would have made a great Flynn O'Flynn. Unusual that none of the 'heroes' survived their moment of glory.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2008
Not a bad read if you ignore the elephant killing and the eating of dolphins with gills (excellent research there). The characters don't have a huge amount of depth but it kept me entertained. My favorite line was, "...the kidneys popped like overripe satsuma plums."
September 23, 2012
Brillant Smith has captivate me again in this book.
July 29, 2017
Read this great historical adventure by Smith back in the 80's.
August 17, 2024
Dobra książka, całkowicie pozbawiona jakiejkolwiek poprawności politycznej, inkluzywności i tych wszystkich postępowych głupot. Gwiazdkę odejmuję za jedną rzecz, której nie mogłem znieść. Być może to raczej wina polskiego tłumacza, niż autora, ale dlaczego Niemcy zwracają się do siebie "sir"? Po niemiecku taki zwrot grzecznościowy brzmi "Herr", więc jak już nie tłumaczymy tych zwrotów na polski, to dajmy bohaterom właściwe narodowościowo. Na początku się śmiałem, ale potem to się stało bardzo denerwujące.
June 12, 2016
Though the book is certainly well-written, and with some interesting characters, I found the plot very linear. There were also one or two segments where we were introduced to so many new characters/situations that I felt I'd stumbled into a completely different book by mistake.
There are some wonderful comic touches/observations, and the author's descriptions of animals/jungle life/sea battles etc is first rate. That said, I found at least two of the 'heroes' genuinely unlikeable and the book meandered too much for my liking. Towards the end, I actually found myself wanting the 'baddies' to win, largely because , with one exception, they were actually the nice guys.
This book dates from 1968 and, though I appreciate Wilbur Smith is very popular and successful, I'm not convinced I'll read any more.
There are some wonderful comic touches/observations, and the author's descriptions of animals/jungle life/sea battles etc is first rate. That said, I found at least two of the 'heroes' genuinely unlikeable and the book meandered too much for my liking. Towards the end, I actually found myself wanting the 'baddies' to win, largely because , with one exception, they were actually the nice guys.
This book dates from 1968 and, though I appreciate Wilbur Smith is very popular and successful, I'm not convinced I'll read any more.
July 29, 2020
Having read lots of Wilbur Smith's books this one stands out as being different. It is split into two parts. Part 1 is set before WWI and focuses on one man, Flynn O'Flynn, who lives just outside German East Africa and his comical raids into Germany. Early in the book he meets an Englishman and their repetoire is very funny. I can see why this was made into a film (according to other reviews) as the dialogue is very good. Then WWI starts and the Germans advance beyond their borders for revenge. This is where part 2 begins and the book becomes more serious as you'd expect. The ending is untypical of Smith as it isn't a feel-good ending but I don't want to spoil it.
Good book that I highly recommend.
Good book that I highly recommend.
April 20, 2020
This is one of my favourite Wilbur Smith books. It doesn't take itself seriously at all, the characters are brilliantly created, and spring to life from the pages. Sebastian and Flynn work brilliantly together, with just the right mix of humour and action. The usual excellent setting of scene by Smith also makes you think you are there, and the odd touches of tragedy make it seem very real as well. That all being said, this book is now about fifty years old, and is starting to show. You can tell so clearly that it's written by a white African, and the great white hope narrative is through this book from start to finish like a stick of rock. Never really offensive, more a book of its time, written by an author of the time, set a long time ago.
June 9, 2012
While this book is never likely to be counted among the classics, I don't really think the author meant it to be. The violence aside, I think he intended it as an amusing piece of fluff in the adventure genre, and that is certainly is.
He has presented a colourful, overblown group of characters with little complexity, playing out an unlikely sequence of events in an exotic setting, well described. And it works. That can't be an accident.
There's little depth here--in fact it stops just short of farce--but if you're looking for an entertaining read, I'd recommend it.
He has presented a colourful, overblown group of characters with little complexity, playing out an unlikely sequence of events in an exotic setting, well described. And it works. That can't be an accident.
There's little depth here--in fact it stops just short of farce--but if you're looking for an entertaining read, I'd recommend it.
October 9, 2016
A Smith reader's paradise. Vivid descriptions, colorful images seem too jump out of the book. The perennial, legendary elephant and the old hunter - both dying is there.
The protagonists here are almost human. Flawed, inconsistent, moody. Sebastian survived from one stroke of good luck from the other, Rosa unhinged, impetuous. Flynn, drunk.
It was written with tragedy in mind, none of the "winning streak", superhero-like abilities of the Courtneys, nor the godlike omnipotence and wisdom of Taita. All in all, it was a good read, in comparison with the newer books Wilbur generated lately.
The protagonists here are almost human. Flawed, inconsistent, moody. Sebastian survived from one stroke of good luck from the other, Rosa unhinged, impetuous. Flynn, drunk.
It was written with tragedy in mind, none of the "winning streak", superhero-like abilities of the Courtneys, nor the godlike omnipotence and wisdom of Taita. All in all, it was a good read, in comparison with the newer books Wilbur generated lately.
December 18, 2014
Shout At The Devil by Wilbur Smith... Historical fiction around the beginning of 1900's when war at sea was predominant. The story line is around the German Vessel "Blucher" battering British war ships as well as getting itself battered. The first half runs through the age old ivory poaching and the wedlock of Sebastian with Rosa depicting the jungles of Africa. The second half goes deeper into the war at the seas, climaxing at the destruction of the "Blucher" before it could sail out to conquer. The character of Sebastian reverberates long after finishing the book. Wonderful read.
July 21, 2014
In my opinion, Wilbur Smith is one of the top 3 contemporary authors who writes about Africa.
This was not that good though. Read his historical fiction River God or its sequel (sort of, set 4000 years apart) The Seventh Scroll instead. Pure enjoyment.
This was not that good though. Read his historical fiction River God or its sequel (sort of, set 4000 years apart) The Seventh Scroll instead. Pure enjoyment.
June 1, 2016
A bit dated now but this is still a good action thriller. Some stodgy sections with some gratuitous violence, but all in all an exciting read. He sure knows how to do thrillers. The politics of it worries me. Maybe it's because it's a product of its times but there is a bit of white man's mission about it. Anyway, the elephant kill is a gorily exciting rampage and there are some spectacular scenes. I haven't seen the movie but this was a fair enough read.
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June 28, 2015A wonderful book by a master story teller. Based on activities in German East Africa centred on the characters
of a fat but viscious German Officer and his Askari troops and a drunkan English poacher fascinating characters and. plots involving A German Battle Cruiser tax collection romance and iivory poaching.
of a fat but viscious German Officer and his Askari troops and a drunkan English poacher fascinating characters and. plots involving A German Battle Cruiser tax collection romance and iivory poaching.
May 21, 2016
Smith never disappoints. This book has a lot about Africa, as usual, but this one takes place during WW I, and is not -to my knowledge[- part of a series.
Swashbuckling characters, dastardly characters, lots of slicing and dicing. The ending was very sad, and I was hoping it wouldn't end that way, but, really, there was not other way for victory and the good guys to look good.
Swashbuckling characters, dastardly characters, lots of slicing and dicing. The ending was very sad, and I was hoping it wouldn't end that way, but, really, there was not other way for victory and the good guys to look good.
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