Το γεράκι της ερήμου

by Wilbur Smith, Κώστας Μπαρμπής (Translator)

Πάτησε τη σκανδάλη και τα συντρίμμια του εχθρικού αεροπλάνου άρχισαν να πέφτουν αργά από το θεόρατο εκείνο ύψος.
"Εμπρός, Λουλούδι της Ερήμου, εδώ αρχηγός Λαμπερής Λόγχης. Αναφέρω καταστροφή του στόχου".

Ο Ντέιβιντ προσπαθούσε να κρατήσει τη φωνή του ήρεμη, τα χέρια του όμως έτρεμαν κι ένας πόνος διαπερνούσε τα σωθικά του, αποτέλεσμα της δίψας του για εκδίκηση που ούτε ο θάνατος του εχθρού δεν μπορούσε να καταπραΰνει.

Γόνος μιας πάμπλουτης οικογένειας από την Νότια Αφρική, ο Ντέιβιντ έπρεπε κανονικά να αναλάβει τη διαχείρηση των τεράστιων οικογενειακών επιχειρήσεων. Η τύχη όμως και ένας δυνατός ερωτικός δεσμός τον έκανε μαχητή των αιθέρων.

Genres: Fiction, Adventure, Historical Fiction, Thriller, Africa, Action, Romance

377 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

Wilbur 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.

Reviews

[Rohit Enghakat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an emotional and heartbreaking roller coaster ride. It is a story of love, friendship and trust between three characters, David, Joe and Debra. David, a rich multimillionaire Jew, falls in love with Debra, daughter of an Israeli brigadier in the Israeli air force. His love for flying takes him to Israel where he joins the air force, joins the war against its enemies. As tragedy unfolds, both David and Debra are caught in a life fraught with danger. The author then takes us to Africa in the wild bushes where the story progresses and ends with a tragic climax.

The only drawback is the story becomes predictable and too mushy for my liking. This would be apt for romance fanatics who wouldn't mind shedding a tear or two.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first Wilbur Smith book, I think way back in high school. He makes everything he writes so beautiful and personal. I'd love to see this as a movie if someone wouldn't ruin it.

[Natalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm struggling to figure out how so many people gave this book rave reviews. I picked up a really old copy of this book from a dusty second hand bookstore in Cape Cod. The cover was plain, but it still intrigued me. I had never read Wilbur Smith before. I tend to read romances written by females, so I knew I would be in for a different ride. For those of you who bow to this book and say you've never read a better one? That it changed your life- did we read the same book? Perhaps this novel was amazing when it came out in the 70's (as there really wasn't much else to read, sorry guys) but reading it today feels like a combination of Grey's Anatomy and some lame B action movie. So many horrible things happen to this poor couple, it feels almost comical by the end. I wasn't crying. I was giggling. It was so unbelievable that I actually had to walk away from it and come back. One can also tell that it was written by a man. The constant references to David's godlike appearance left me nauseous. We get it, he's gorgeous. He's a slut. Let's move on. Also, there was too much flying jargon- I found myself glossing over pages of text that dealt with flight and attack patterns. Save that stuff for a flight book, huh? I don't think I'll be reading anything else by this author. One more gripe- there were no chapters. The text just continued on forever with no real breaking points. Get it together, Smith. I did enjoy the settings- Jabulani sounded absolutely wonderful, and the descriptions of Israel actually left me wishing I could take a trip there and see it myself. I won't be passing this one on. Back to another book sale you go.

[Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eagle in the Sky was my first Wilbur Smith book and it was one of the few instances where I couldn’t put it down. This wide-reaching, action-packed novel covers plenty of ground in its story of an Israeli fighter pilot who suffers a terrible accident and the girlfriend who sticks with him through thick and thin.

The first half of the book takes place mainly in Israel and offers an accurate portrayal of the country’s political turmoil before Smith moves to a more favoured setting, Africa, for the second half. There are many twists and turns, many of them shocking and cruel, that come about thanks to the author’s overriding focus on realism.

The emotions and scenes in the story always ring true and there’s a lot of heart-wrenching stuff going on here amid the romance and terror.

One of the best, most mature, and unpredictable books I’ve had the pleasure to read.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this was soppier than expected. But hell I can sop with the best of them and this was still a thrilling enough ride.

It just wouldn't be summer without a visit to Smith's Africa.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I can tell that the person who wrote this story is a man. The writing and telling of the story has a strong masculine scent, but in the end I did like the book. It is an almost unbelievable plot, but it is also unpredictable and that is a feat!

[Brie Hillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad, but semi-happy ending; more then one tear jerking moment; I found myself crying my eyes out often.
I cried when Debra went blind.
I cried when she left David.
I cried when David crashed his mirage and his face got almost burnt off.
I cried when Joe died.
I cried when Akkers was beating Debra.
I cried when Debra lost her baby.
I cried when Akkers killed Zulu.
I cried when Debra screamed after she got her sight back and saw David's face.
Basically, I cried throughout most of the book. Wilbur Smith, I praise you and your ability to express a chracters feelings so well and make us feel what they are feeling.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book. A favorite of mine. A parallel to a beauty and the beast story line. A wealthy, handsome, young man has it all: the job, the women, the money, vacation homes, and so on. He pays little regard to those who are 'lesser than' types in a material sense. He loses everything in a near death experience and then his real qualities are brought to the test. One certain woman who he paid no attention to before seems to be the only person who can relate on some level with him. She can very well turn her back on him just like he always did. This book was very well written. I couldn't put it down.

[Debbie Zapata · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is hard to say much about this book without giving away details that you have to read yourself in order to understand the characters. This a typical fast-moving, intense, sometimes gruesomely bloody but always thrilling Wilbur Smith novel. It is emotional: Smith will take you from shock to awe and leave you in tears. Please read it.

[Lowbrow]

I have now read one Wilbur Smith book. One will probably do me.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is one that sees a spoilt rich kid that has it all. The story brings into focus the differences that exist between the people that inhabit this biblical land. It well expresses the drives, pain and hurt that can come as a result of conflict. It also shows the love and increasing dependence the two lead characters have for each other where they finally find peace on a large property that supports the native fauna and flora within the African continent. I think it's a love story, a story of devotion, trust, loyalty and determination. I think the author wrote this story with much passion.

[Aurora · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first Wilbur Smith book that I ever read, and even now after having read many of his pieces, I keep re-reading this one. There is something special about it. What spoke to me, I guess, was the perfect love-story that really was not that perfect after all - but so beautiful! And Smith's environmental descriptions, especially those described from up in the sky (from a pilot's perspective). I am astonished. One of my favourite books.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of best books I ever read, will stay in my memory forever. Been over 30 years so far.....

[Luke Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

still to this day one of the best books I've ever read!

[Sujith Philipose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love in the time of violence :)

[Avi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the review here- https://panicatthebookstoreblog.wordp...

This was my first ever Wilbur Smith book and I can without doubt agree to all the hype about his writing and stories because this book was just fantastic, I loved it.

David is young, rich and extremely handsome and charismatic – a skilled pilot who, on his journey to a new life, meets Debra- a beautiful Israeli writer, talented and smart and they have this instant connection..one may even call it love at first sight.

But that was only the beginning, and so was all the highs and happiness when they are so much in love and David is doing what he loves in the air force in Israel. And then came the roller coasters and man I was not prepared for them. It’s a constant alteration between a high and a low and you’re always left with this fear of what’s going to go wrong now while reading, oh man.

I don’t want to put out much because I went into it only knowing that David meets Debra and something happened, and I loved not knowing where the story’s going to go next . Throughout the book, David and Debra lose life as they knew it when their most important traits are taken away from them – but will they be able to make it out in the end?

I read the second half of the book scared of what twist and turns are going to come because this story was talking turns in directions I could have never imagined, but that was a refreshing experience too.

This was unlike any romance story I have ever read and the writing was so meticulous and descriptive , making you can feel whatever is happening and I loved it. All day today after reading the book I have felt so lost because I was so involved in that book that I genuinely thought they were right here. That’s when you know that it’s a fabulous book, you. just. know.

[Book Clubber · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first Wilbur Smith book. How exciting! The international bestselling author passed away unexpectedly in November, so it felt fitting that my book club should select one of his books for this year’s reading list. Well, what an experience this was. It went from bad to worse to… unputdownable!

Hot guy used to women swooning over him meets beautiful girl. They fall in love. He rebels against his family and decides to pursue a career as a fighter pilot instead of taking over the reins at his late father’s business empire. Then tragedy strikes...

Up to this point, the story felt unoriginal and shalllow. There were so many cringeworthy moments that I found myself turning to the front of the book to see when it was first published. 1974! Before I was born! In that context, I was able to forgive a lot (like how he wrote about women) and persevere. And boy, am I glad I did! The second half of the story, which unfolds in the wild landscape of South Africa, takes this book from mediocre to epic.

Ultimately, it was the love story that saved it for me. Despite the graphic violence at times, I found myself enjoying parts of the adventure too. It reads like a Top Gun movie on steroids. So much so that the first thing I did when I finished was Google if it had been made into a movie because the story arc is so incredibly dramatic. (It hasn’t, but there are other books of Smith's that have). I now understand why this author is so popular with male readers, and while I may never read another Wilbur Smith book again, I’m glad I can say I’ve at least read one.

[Eric Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smith tells a tale of god-like David Morgan and goddess-like Debra--both too beautiful to believe. Morgan was not only handsome but heir of fabulously wealthy dynasty in South Africa. He lived a wild life with women and flying. Dissatisfied he gravitated to Israel where he became one of their aces and met the gorgeous Debra, Jewish daughter of stern stuff, the Brig. Then tragedy strikes them both. Will their love survive terrible disfigurement and blindness? Can they find joy in carving a paradise out of one of Morgan's wild African estates.

A story I almost dumped for the overly explicit emphasis on sex only to see it develop into something quite different.

I read it a second time, years later in 2022, and wrote; David Morgan, scion of a wealthy SA family, rejects his heritage because of his passion to fly. He joins the South African airforce learns to fly jets then after discharge wanders Europe until he meets a Jewish woman and her brother. He falls in love with her but it takes a while for his restlessness to lead him to Israel where he tracks her down. Their love becomes epic. Since he is half-Jewish, he can become a citizen. He joins the Israeli airforce to fly Phantoms. And thus ends his adonic beauty in a crash. Meanwhile Debra has been blinded in a terrorist attack.

Can these two, he terribly disfisfigured and she blind, make a life for themselves in a remote outpost in the veld?

[Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very touching and moving story of a pilot that crashed and became blind and how he handled it, how he fell in love.

[Ros Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my introduction to Wilbur Smith and I read it in one sitting. Such a vivid description of the place, the characters and the conflicts

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is what gave me my love of reading.

[O'Train Disene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally! I finish reading this book. What a drag it has been, especially from the middle to the end. Definitely not the best book one should read when they are trying to get into the author's works.

[Martina · Rating 1 out of 5]

Un Harmony sotto mentite spoglie.


Partiamo dalla trama.

David, bellissimo rampollo di una ricchissima famiglia sudafricana, è un talentuosissimo pilota di aerei.

Durante un viaggio in Europa, incontra Debra, bellissima e intelligentissima ragazza israeliana, e se ne innamora, tanto da seguirla in Israele e arruolarsi nell’esercito.

Sì, perché si scopre che - casualmente - la madre di David era ebrea e il padre di Debra è un generale dell’esercito che fa carte false per lui il giorno dopo averlo conosciuto.

Durante la permanenza di David nell’esercito israeliano, accade che:
Debra diventa completamente cieca durante un attentato
Joe, il fratello di Debra e migliore amico e compagno di esercito di David, rimane ucciso durante un attacco militare
Durante lo stesso attacco, David subisce una gravissima ustione al viso che lo lascia sfigurato
Debra e David si sposano comunque perché tanto lei è cieca e quindi non può vederlo sfiigurato (cito quasi testualmente)

A questo punto, la coppia decide di trasferirsi nell’enorme e isolata proprietà di David in Sudafrica, per ritrovare un po’ di pace.

Qui accade che:
David rischia di restare ucciso durante uno scontro con un bracconiere, che poi viene arrestato
Il bracconiere evade di prigione e tenta di uccidere Debra
Durante questo scontro, Debra sopravvive, ma perde il bambino che aspettava da David
Debra diventa una scrittrice acclamata sia in Israele che negli Stati Uniti dopo la pubblicazione del suo primo e unico libro
Debra miracolosamente recupera la vista

Una trama davvero realistica...



Ma adesso focalizziamoci sui due protagonisti.

David è talmente bello che tutte le persone si innamorano di lui al primo sguardo ed è talmente ricco di famiglia che non solo non lavora, ma non ha neanche uno scopo nella vita – se non quello di spendere valanghe di soldi nell’hobby del momento (come la difesa di Israele, che poi viene dimenticata nel giro di un giorno perché sostituita dalla difesa degli animali selvaggi nella sua riserva). 

Non c’è nient'altro che lo caratterizza, se non il suo egoismo.

Quando si rende conto che Debra ha una possibilità di recuperare la vista, David è talmente preoccupato che pensa più volte di nasconderle l'esistenza dell'operazione a cui si potrebbe sottoporre.
Perché se Debra riacquistasse la vista, vedrebbe per la prima volta la sua faccia sfigurata e quindi, non riconoscendo il bellissimo uomo di cui si è innamorata, lo lascerebbe certamente dopo tre anni di matrimonio. 

Chiaro.


Debra, dal canto suo, viene descritta come una persona dalla grandissima sensibilità – caratteristica riconoscibile già durante il suo primo incontro con David in Spagna, quando si commuove per la crudeltà della corrida.

È talmente sensibile, che dopo la morte tragica del suo carissimo fratello Joe (tra l’altro causata dalla negligenza dello stesso David) non accennerà mai più a lui in tutto il resto del libro.
E la stessa cosa accade con la madre (anche lei ferita gravemente durante l'attentato e della quale, dopo il trasferimento in Sudafrica di Debra, non si ha più alcuna notizia), la migliore amica di Debra (che le aveva dato rifugio in Israele per mesi interi durante la convalescenza, e a cui la nostra eroina non scrive neanche una lettera dopo essersene andata) o il cane Zulu (a cui Debra è affezionatissima; tanto che, dopo che questo viene ucciso dal bracconiere mentre cerca di salvare la propria padrona, non viene nominato neanche per un ultimo saluto). 

Perché, giustamente, dopo il matrimonio per lei esiste solo David e letteralmente nessun altro.



L'unica cosa che forse differenzia questo libro da un Harmony è la presenza di scene cruente (come la faccia di David che prende fuoco oppure un babbuino che azzanna il povero Zulu), descritte - inutilmente - nei più minimi e disgustosi dettagli.

 

Non nego di essere piuttosto sconcertata (oltre che palesemente delusa), perché avevo sentito parlare davvero bene dei libri di Wilbur Smith.

Nonostante in alcune scene d’azione questo libro ti  faccia venire voglia di arrivare in fondo alla pagina per scoprire cosa accade, per me i personaggi fastidiosi e la trama assurda non gli permettono di andare oltre una stella.

 

 

 

[Premanand Velu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little bit of 'The beauty and the best' , little bit of 'The gift of the Magi' and rest the level of details Wilbur usually excels in. The flow is fast and interesting nevertheless. The level of details, Wilbur Smith provides is simply superb. Only that keeps the story going and the rest glued to it. Rest of the story is predictable.

[Sasha Benner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought I wouldn’t be able to get into this book but it was really good! Fast paced, intense, emotional, heartbreaking all at once

[Mari · Rating 5 out of 5]

una historia muy triste y muy hermosa al mismo tiempo. me hubiera gustado saber más.

[Claudia Guliker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first Wilbur Smith book. It has it all, suspense, romance, action. A real pageturner. As I would found out all of his books are.

[Isabel Luna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muchos dirán q "Rastro en el cielo" no está a la altura de otros libros más vendidos de este autor, tal vez xq no tiene el suspenso de la saga Courtney o la ambientación rimbombante del antiguo Egipto, pero es una historia hermosa, con mucho mensaje.
David es un personaje clásico, rico, carilindo, piloto de combate a lo Top Gun y tiene el mundo a sus pies. Debra es una chica comun, estudiante, hermosa q quita el aliento, obviamente, aunq con los pies en la tierra. Se conocen, se gustan, se enamoran, y lo q parece ser una romance de verano va más allá y ambos deciden actuar en consencuencia. Hasta ahí no pasa del clasico romance adolescente o new adult, como le dicen ahora.
El problema viene cuando, en el contexto del conflicto palestino-israelí, muere la cuñada de Debra, ella queda ciega, se separa de David y él no tiene mejor idea q querer tomar venganza, lo cual tiene un costo igualmente alto: muere el hermano de Debra y David queda como queso derretido.
Lo que viene después es una historia de superación y descubrimiento. Del proceso que conlleva pasar de ser el príncipe azul a la Bestia del cuento sin posibilidad de q hadas mágicas te devuelvan tu vida anterior y como lo q te espera, después del Apocalipsis, tal vez podría ser incluso mejor.
Si después de leerla, no están de acuerdo conmigo, al menos les va quedar el lindo final.

[Tim Roast · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is your typical Wilbur Smith book. It starts with the first flying lesson of a teenage David Morgan and then takes you through his life to his mid/late twenties. It just so happens that David is from a rich family and so can do what he likes. He does this by travelling to Europe from his native Africa to try and find his way in life. If only we all had enough money to do this. There he meets the love of his life and then everything goes sweetly. But being a Wilbur Smith book it doesn't go smoothly at all. This is where the rollercoaster ride begins with ups and downs. I particularly liked a chase section in the latter part of the book that had me on the edge of my seat. The only downer is that the story ends with so much more of David's life to live that you just wish it continued.

The first part of the book is partly set in Israel with David joining the Israeli Air Force. This made the book very relevant to current events with Israel currently bombing targets outside of its borders. Therefore the topical nature of the book (at time of writing) makes it an excellent book to read.

There are only a few criticisms I've had of Wilbur Smith books in the past like too much technical detail or rushed endings but they are not evident here.

5 stars.

[Suby · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful and rich man from South Africa, very rich, fascinated by flying and trained as a fighter pilot falls in love with a beautiful Israeli girl and migrates to Israel and commences work as a Mirage fighter pilot for the Israeli Air force. During the short stay in Israel the girl looses her eye sight in a terrorist attack and the man gets his facial tissues and scalp burned in a crash landing.
The man turns grotesque in appearance and the girl who becomes an internationally renowned writer marries him. The man is given as much skin graft as possible for his face, marries the girl and starts a new life in his 18000 acre estate in South Africa. The blind girl goes on believing his appearance has not changed, eventually gets a surgery and gets her eyesight back and screams on her first sight of the man who runs away and takes to the skies and is eventually brought down by his father in law to live happily ever after with his bride.
The story may sound run of the mill but the author packs so much of adventure into the novel that it becomes irresistibly great. Wilbur Smith makes the novel a positively plausible story!
I will recommend the book to any friend.