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Courtney publication order #7
A Time to Die
As the world around him burns with passion and death, professional hunter and guerrilla fighter Sean Courtney is trapped between his worst enemies, an overwhelming love for a woman, and his instincts to survive -- and kill.
528 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
428 people are currently reading
2229 people want to read
About the author
Wilbur Smith
313 books4,382 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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 185 reviews
May 27, 2013
One of the best books I have ever read! It is adventurous yet not unrealistic. It has all the important moments written on the right pages. I just could not put it down and read it at home,
in the train (next to me sat the lady with exactly the same copy!), simply everywhere. I am a native European, but it made me want to explore Africa right away! I wanted to move there, wanted to live there and be an african. What? That is how good the book is!
in the train (next to me sat the lady with exactly the same copy!), simply everywhere. I am a native European, but it made me want to explore Africa right away! I wanted to move there, wanted to live there and be an african. What? That is how good the book is!
August 12, 2022
Staying true to themes in each book with wilder action as it progresses.
February 27, 2021
An 80s era action thriller that captures the period well but falls short in overall story-telling --
Wilbur Smith is a white African and probably the most productive and best-selling African writer of all time. His specialty is historical fiction and he writes in a way that ensures a reader will learn something about Smith's home continent with each book. It was for this more than any other reason that I ordered "A Time to Die" and eagerly looked forward to reading it.
I should have known from the unimaginative title that Wilbur Smith, despite everything good I've read about him and his books (I actually love the mid-60s film "Dark of the Sun" based on his novel with the same title), does, in fact, possess feet of clay. "A Time to Die" is not one of his best. It's a mediocre action suspense thriller that just goes on and on for 483 pages of story-telling implausibility and cartoonish cliff-hanging, plot twisting, puffery.
As such, it is probably about 200 pages too long.
The book starts out well.
Sean Courtney (part of the extended family that populates Smith's "Courtney" series of novels) is a South African veteran of the Rhodesian Bush War turned Safari hunting guide. He is taking an old friend, American Vietnam Veteran soldier turned multi-millionaire engineer, Colonel Ricardo Monterro, on what will be, unbeknownst to Courtney, Monterro's final hunt due to incurable brain cancer.
Now, I know what you are thinking: Spoiler Alert, right?
Trust me, the intrigue in this novel doesn't come from revelations like that, it comes from the insanely outlandish plot twists that will take this from what could have been a classic "Moby Dick" hunt tale to a bunch of other barely relatable story lines -- from a Cold War proxy war-story to a vendetta novel to a bush-craft survival story to a [fill in the blank]. It's three or four novels in one, including an unromantic romance novel because you know, with Monterro's lusty, nubile, uber-liberal American lawyer/native activist/animal rights defender daughter Claudia on board to ruin the hunt and attack everything the Colonel and Courtney both believe in, that eventually her and Courtney are going to fall in love and roll in the hay. Well, this is a 1980's mass market thriller so it happens -- and the eroticism always takes place in the weirdest places and at the most unlikely and inconvenient times.
What were people THINKING in the 80s?
Thankfully, the eroticism is limited. But the weird and altogether unnecessary graphic violence that dogs our couple as they flee from a former enemy of Courtney's from the bush wars is basically unnecessary to the plot and actually creates weird plot-holes that should have been avoided but which Wilbur Smith decides to try to fill with at least 30 extra pages per plot hole (example: the extended, multi-page graphic torture of a Russian mechanic to convince a Russian pilot to fly for the bad guys... and the replacement of that pilot on the next page with a Portuguese one and a throwaway sentence about the Russian pilot's untrustworthiness -- yeah, spoiler alert, right? There are multiple plot holes that get filled like this -- and I won't even hint at the flat way the book ends, oh, no. Suffer and learn for yourself).
The book is an exhausting read and our hero, Sean Courtney, never seems to sleep or eat despite superhuman acts of military heroism followed by erotic endurance sessions with the soft American babe who finds her inner strength when the reader discovers she is a natural ace at shooting the American Stinger missile (don't ask how THAT works into the story but it does).
Wilbur Smith is a good writer, but he simply takes three or four good novel ideas and throws them into the meat grinder hoping a magic sausage will come out. It's a sausage, alright, but neither magic nor digestible.
I am determined to read another Wilbur Smith novel because I have heard so many good things. But it will take me a few years to recover from this one.
I can't recommend it, unless you want an African eye view of the political situation in southern Africa at the end of the 80s. Wilbur Smith absolutely delivers on that.
The story is just a distraction.
Wilbur Smith is a white African and probably the most productive and best-selling African writer of all time. His specialty is historical fiction and he writes in a way that ensures a reader will learn something about Smith's home continent with each book. It was for this more than any other reason that I ordered "A Time to Die" and eagerly looked forward to reading it.
I should have known from the unimaginative title that Wilbur Smith, despite everything good I've read about him and his books (I actually love the mid-60s film "Dark of the Sun" based on his novel with the same title), does, in fact, possess feet of clay. "A Time to Die" is not one of his best. It's a mediocre action suspense thriller that just goes on and on for 483 pages of story-telling implausibility and cartoonish cliff-hanging, plot twisting, puffery.
As such, it is probably about 200 pages too long.
The book starts out well.
Sean Courtney (part of the extended family that populates Smith's "Courtney" series of novels) is a South African veteran of the Rhodesian Bush War turned Safari hunting guide. He is taking an old friend, American Vietnam Veteran soldier turned multi-millionaire engineer, Colonel Ricardo Monterro, on what will be, unbeknownst to Courtney, Monterro's final hunt due to incurable brain cancer.
Now, I know what you are thinking: Spoiler Alert, right?
Trust me, the intrigue in this novel doesn't come from revelations like that, it comes from the insanely outlandish plot twists that will take this from what could have been a classic "Moby Dick" hunt tale to a bunch of other barely relatable story lines -- from a Cold War proxy war-story to a vendetta novel to a bush-craft survival story to a [fill in the blank]. It's three or four novels in one, including an unromantic romance novel because you know, with Monterro's lusty, nubile, uber-liberal American lawyer/native activist/animal rights defender daughter Claudia on board to ruin the hunt and attack everything the Colonel and Courtney both believe in, that eventually her and Courtney are going to fall in love and roll in the hay. Well, this is a 1980's mass market thriller so it happens -- and the eroticism always takes place in the weirdest places and at the most unlikely and inconvenient times.
What were people THINKING in the 80s?
Thankfully, the eroticism is limited. But the weird and altogether unnecessary graphic violence that dogs our couple as they flee from a former enemy of Courtney's from the bush wars is basically unnecessary to the plot and actually creates weird plot-holes that should have been avoided but which Wilbur Smith decides to try to fill with at least 30 extra pages per plot hole (example: the extended, multi-page graphic torture of a Russian mechanic to convince a Russian pilot to fly for the bad guys... and the replacement of that pilot on the next page with a Portuguese one and a throwaway sentence about the Russian pilot's untrustworthiness -- yeah, spoiler alert, right? There are multiple plot holes that get filled like this -- and I won't even hint at the flat way the book ends, oh, no. Suffer and learn for yourself).
The book is an exhausting read and our hero, Sean Courtney, never seems to sleep or eat despite superhuman acts of military heroism followed by erotic endurance sessions with the soft American babe who finds her inner strength when the reader discovers she is a natural ace at shooting the American Stinger missile (don't ask how THAT works into the story but it does).
Wilbur Smith is a good writer, but he simply takes three or four good novel ideas and throws them into the meat grinder hoping a magic sausage will come out. It's a sausage, alright, but neither magic nor digestible.
I am determined to read another Wilbur Smith novel because I have heard so many good things. But it will take me a few years to recover from this one.
I can't recommend it, unless you want an African eye view of the political situation in southern Africa at the end of the 80s. Wilbur Smith absolutely delivers on that.
The story is just a distraction.
March 6, 2017
This seemed a bit different to a lot of the other WS books I've read - yes it's set in Africa and involves a Courtenay, but the relentless violence, bloodlust and cruelty was pretty wearying, not to mention the sexism and attitudes to hunting which were probably considered acceptable in 1989 but now felt very distasteful.
February 3, 2016
In what has been labelled the seventh Courtney novel, but which sits more accurately as eighth in the chronological progress of the series, Smith depicts a tale that offers the reader an in-depth glance into the life of Sean Courtney, son of Shasa and Tara. Set around 1987, Sean is a veteran of the Rhodesian Bush Wars and has become a full-time hunter with his safari company in Zimbabwe. Coaxed by his clients to follow a legendary elephant across the border into Mozambique, Sean leads them on a treacherous hunt that sees one client die and the other, Claudia Monterro, kidnapped by anti-government forces. With no other means to free Claudia, Sean must work with the guerrillas to save the woman with whom he has fallen in love. General China, head of the Renamo rebels has high hopes of pushing out the Marxist leaders in Mozambique and taking over, before turning his eye on crushing Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe, with the help of the white South African Government. However, in order to achieve this, Sean and the group of rebels must pose as Zimbabwean troops and steal a shipment of Stinger Missiles, sent by the Soviets, which can be used to quell the attacks of Hind Helicopters being used by Mozambique's Frelimo forces. With the weapons in the General's possession, Sean and Claudia sit in the middle of this bloody battle to topple African leaders, with high hopes that they will be able to make their way into South Africa and be protected by all those known to Sean and his family. Smith paints a heroic side to Sean and his battle-hardened nature as he pushes himself to the limits to save those close to him. An interesting way to end the second sequence of Courtney novels, which differs vastly from the other books that glimpse at life for the entire Courtney clan.
As mentioned above, this novel moves away from the family progression in the other books of the second sequence. Smith likely sought to shed some light on the grown-up Sean, whose troublesome nature was splashed across the previous narratives. That no other family members make an appearance (save for an extremely minimal Lothar De La Rey) leaves the reader isolated in the jungles of Mozambique and Zimbabwe, without that all-around progression. However, Smith continues to educated as well as entertain in the series. In this novel, he offers an in-depth exploration of elephant hunting and, for lack of a better word, a life-cycle of the African elephant. This ties in nicely with the hunting that takes place in the first half of the novel, before things shift significantly to the political and battle-centred second half. Smith also offers a social commentary on African states, which expands from the previous novel's discussion of the Marxist take-over of the region. While many of the countries were colonial holdings until the end of the Second World War, the geographic lines were arbitrarily drawn to fix European ideals, rather than tribal layout. By pulling out, these 'states' had little ability to work on their own and one of two things happened, former colonial whites came in to rule with an iron fist (Smith in Rhodesia, numerous leaders in South Africa), or Soviet-backed puppet regimes came in during the height of the Cold War, in the sixties and seventies, which instilled a form of government that was equally problematic, in that it pitted states against one another while trying to push egalitarian policies. The corruption of the continent led to much blood-shed and neighbouring states waged war, not only on ideological platforms, but to remove stability of already shaky governments with foreign supported militaries. Smith offers up that these constant pendulum swings and corrupt leaders did little to help stabilise the region, but cast it into ongoing wars, which, truth be told, only propagated the desires of the colonial whites, as blacks killed blacks and weakened states. The two diametrically opposed stalwarts, South Africa and Zimbabwe, stood as firm as could be and watched transitions, while backing opposing rebel sides in this battle for control of the southern region of the continent. Fans of Smith and this series will be able to fully comprehend the struggles in ways that the layman may not. I can say that I have learned much since commencing this series, particularly the second sequence. Readers who have taken the time to delve into the Ballantyne series will also appreciate this novel a little more, as they have the Zimbabwe backstory and the political upheavals in that country.
As the second sequence comes to an end, I can see a strong connection to the multi-generational story that was pushed before I started. As I mentioned in an earlier review, I can see similarities to Follett, Archer, and Rutherfurd as I read, tying characters together as the decades meld together. It is this type of writing that is most effective and yet hardest to accomplish. Storylines must stay fresh and yet work on the foundation of earlier characters and generations, which can easily be impeded by an author going off on tangents and forgetting about where the story originated. Smith does not have this issue and has, quite effectively, made the second sequence successful. Readers can forego reading the first sequence and be fairly well-versed, though it is always nice to know about Sean and Garrick as Centaine begins her journey and has a passionate connection to Michael, as well as some of the political goings-on that occurred in colonial South Africa. However, that remains at the discretion of the reader. And what will the third sequence bring to the narrative? Apparently some back stories related to the historical Courtneys, though not entirely sequential or constant, from what I have heard. I suppose we will have to wait and see.
Kudos, Mr. Smith for an interesting end to the second sequence. I can only hope you have more political intrigue in store for readers, as well as additionally addictive characters.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
As mentioned above, this novel moves away from the family progression in the other books of the second sequence. Smith likely sought to shed some light on the grown-up Sean, whose troublesome nature was splashed across the previous narratives. That no other family members make an appearance (save for an extremely minimal Lothar De La Rey) leaves the reader isolated in the jungles of Mozambique and Zimbabwe, without that all-around progression. However, Smith continues to educated as well as entertain in the series. In this novel, he offers an in-depth exploration of elephant hunting and, for lack of a better word, a life-cycle of the African elephant. This ties in nicely with the hunting that takes place in the first half of the novel, before things shift significantly to the political and battle-centred second half. Smith also offers a social commentary on African states, which expands from the previous novel's discussion of the Marxist take-over of the region. While many of the countries were colonial holdings until the end of the Second World War, the geographic lines were arbitrarily drawn to fix European ideals, rather than tribal layout. By pulling out, these 'states' had little ability to work on their own and one of two things happened, former colonial whites came in to rule with an iron fist (Smith in Rhodesia, numerous leaders in South Africa), or Soviet-backed puppet regimes came in during the height of the Cold War, in the sixties and seventies, which instilled a form of government that was equally problematic, in that it pitted states against one another while trying to push egalitarian policies. The corruption of the continent led to much blood-shed and neighbouring states waged war, not only on ideological platforms, but to remove stability of already shaky governments with foreign supported militaries. Smith offers up that these constant pendulum swings and corrupt leaders did little to help stabilise the region, but cast it into ongoing wars, which, truth be told, only propagated the desires of the colonial whites, as blacks killed blacks and weakened states. The two diametrically opposed stalwarts, South Africa and Zimbabwe, stood as firm as could be and watched transitions, while backing opposing rebel sides in this battle for control of the southern region of the continent. Fans of Smith and this series will be able to fully comprehend the struggles in ways that the layman may not. I can say that I have learned much since commencing this series, particularly the second sequence. Readers who have taken the time to delve into the Ballantyne series will also appreciate this novel a little more, as they have the Zimbabwe backstory and the political upheavals in that country.
As the second sequence comes to an end, I can see a strong connection to the multi-generational story that was pushed before I started. As I mentioned in an earlier review, I can see similarities to Follett, Archer, and Rutherfurd as I read, tying characters together as the decades meld together. It is this type of writing that is most effective and yet hardest to accomplish. Storylines must stay fresh and yet work on the foundation of earlier characters and generations, which can easily be impeded by an author going off on tangents and forgetting about where the story originated. Smith does not have this issue and has, quite effectively, made the second sequence successful. Readers can forego reading the first sequence and be fairly well-versed, though it is always nice to know about Sean and Garrick as Centaine begins her journey and has a passionate connection to Michael, as well as some of the political goings-on that occurred in colonial South Africa. However, that remains at the discretion of the reader. And what will the third sequence bring to the narrative? Apparently some back stories related to the historical Courtneys, though not entirely sequential or constant, from what I have heard. I suppose we will have to wait and see.
Kudos, Mr. Smith for an interesting end to the second sequence. I can only hope you have more political intrigue in store for readers, as well as additionally addictive characters.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
April 6, 2017
Me gusta cuando un autor experimentado se informa de los pequeños detalles casi triviales del mundo que está narrando, y se nota que Wilbur Smith (autor nuevo para mi, aunque bestseller desde antes de que yo naciera) es un tipo instruído.
El libro hay que leerlo con una mentalidad de hombre blanco primermundista de 1987, de otra forma, es casi ofensivo; racismo, crueldad innecesaria, misoginia, sutilezas políticas, etc. Sin embargo, y apelo a mi lado machote (tristemente) es un libro que no te suelta en ningún momento: está cargado de escenas de acción y mantiene el suspenso todo el rato.
No deja tampoco de ser un buen y fiel reflejo de un periodo histórico (aunque con los matices propios de la ideología del autor) un tanto inentendible para el lector promedio latinoamericano, que jura que en toda africa hay leones y elefantes y que ir de safari es la cosa más común del mundo.
El libro hay que leerlo con una mentalidad de hombre blanco primermundista de 1987, de otra forma, es casi ofensivo; racismo, crueldad innecesaria, misoginia, sutilezas políticas, etc. Sin embargo, y apelo a mi lado machote (tristemente) es un libro que no te suelta en ningún momento: está cargado de escenas de acción y mantiene el suspenso todo el rato.
No deja tampoco de ser un buen y fiel reflejo de un periodo histórico (aunque con los matices propios de la ideología del autor) un tanto inentendible para el lector promedio latinoamericano, que jura que en toda africa hay leones y elefantes y que ir de safari es la cosa más común del mundo.
Read
November 24, 2015I made it to page 150 but that's enough for me.
The story certainly was interesting but I felt as if the author was going into such unnessary details for prolonged periods of time. It just felt as if he was being paid by the page. Did not rate it for I feel I did not read enough to draw a true opinion.
The story certainly was interesting but I felt as if the author was going into such unnessary details for prolonged periods of time. It just felt as if he was being paid by the page. Did not rate it for I feel I did not read enough to draw a true opinion.
October 25, 2012
Not a bad book. I started out hating all the main characters but they grew on me by the end.
The Kindle version is full of typos, like they just scanned the actual book and didn't even proof read it. Still readable, but annoying.
I would have given 4 out of 5 with no typos.
The Kindle version is full of typos, like they just scanned the actual book and didn't even proof read it. Still readable, but annoying.
I would have given 4 out of 5 with no typos.
August 3, 2011
not one of my favourites by smith.
July 10, 2023
This was a crazy whirlwind! The author put you right in the action with his descriptive writing.
I wish my 11th month old didn't tear the first few pages and the covers🤣 would love to keep on my shelves.. I'll go find another copy!
I wish my 11th month old didn't tear the first few pages and the covers🤣 would love to keep on my shelves.. I'll go find another copy!
June 22, 2025
muy buena historia, creo que de las mejores de wilbur smith. sin embargo, el final es muy rápido y un poco tonto.
August 26, 2022
For me this is a very
Tall African tale from lion hunting and chasing a bull elephant and then abruptly changing to the brutal bush war between African dictators struggle for power at any cost. The graphic description of life and death of the African people given their territory disputes and inter tribal hatred’s is tough to take but is on par with their
Past histories . This book published in 1989.
I have always been a fan of Wilbur smith’s writing
Talents and his ability to keep you hanging on.
Another great Courtney tale.
Tall African tale from lion hunting and chasing a bull elephant and then abruptly changing to the brutal bush war between African dictators struggle for power at any cost. The graphic description of life and death of the African people given their territory disputes and inter tribal hatred’s is tough to take but is on par with their
Past histories . This book published in 1989.
I have always been a fan of Wilbur smith’s writing
Talents and his ability to keep you hanging on.
Another great Courtney tale.
January 5, 2020
I continue to be hooked on Wilbur Smith, and love his Courtney series. This one involves Sean Courtney- I think he is about the third Sean Courtney relative over the past several generations. And as I recall, in one of the previous books in the series, he was pretty disfavored and was kicked out of the country [and only allowed to do so when his father pulled strings to keep him out of prison.]
So when I started this book, I remembered this Sean as a ne-er do well. At this point in his life, however, he has matured somewhat [although he still has many of those remembered bad traits] and he has a successful business as an African safari leader. The story is - to me - tremendously interesting, first with a lion hunt, then an elephant hunt, and along the way, a bobbing and weaving trying to avoid the two warring factions in Africa.
None of the other Courtneys are involved in the book to any extent, but neither are they eliminated as characters for future stories.
Yeah! Looking forward to more stories about the Courtneys from Wilbur Smith as well as his other series!
So when I started this book, I remembered this Sean as a ne-er do well. At this point in his life, however, he has matured somewhat [although he still has many of those remembered bad traits] and he has a successful business as an African safari leader. The story is - to me - tremendously interesting, first with a lion hunt, then an elephant hunt, and along the way, a bobbing and weaving trying to avoid the two warring factions in Africa.
None of the other Courtneys are involved in the book to any extent, but neither are they eliminated as characters for future stories.
Yeah! Looking forward to more stories about the Courtneys from Wilbur Smith as well as his other series!
November 22, 2023
Once again this author brings an action-packed story to the Courtney series, this is 7th in the series and brings the series up to the 1980s.
Sean Courtney is one of the main characters in this book and it sees him running hunts Ricardo Monterro and his daughter Claudia are hunting for an old elephant. Claudia does not see this as a hunting trip but as a chance to spend time with her father. For her father, it is a chance to achieve something he has always wanted. Claudia is against hunting and this means she clashes with Seran often. All three are stubborn and have their own opinions. This is a way for the author to show the various opinions of the time regarding hunting.
The team delve into danger as they try, but fail to avoid the conflict between warring factions as they wander into Zimbabwe in pursuit of the hunt. In this period, South Rhodesia claimed its independence from the UK and became Zimbabwe under the leadership of Robert Mugabe. The decade was volatile and this made the hunt into this area dangerous.
While this book is part of the Courtney series, it can be read as a stand-alone as the author does not feed the history into the narrative. Sean Courtney is the grandson of Centaine de Thiry.
The book has the same action and adventure vibe as the previous and the essence of life at the time is very much in this story. There are some friendships formed and friendships lost in this book. Details of the character's journey across the area are fraught with tension, and danger and this is felt in the story.
It was another fabulous episode in the series and one that I adored. I am aware that not everyone has the same feeling about this book and feels it lacks something, and I agree. It is still a fabulous read but when in close proximity to the others there is something missing.
If you are a fan of action, adventure, historical fiction and tense story lines then this is a book you should look at. Even though it can be read as a stand-alone I do recommend reading it in order as the series is fabulous. It is one I would happily recommend.
Sean Courtney is one of the main characters in this book and it sees him running hunts Ricardo Monterro and his daughter Claudia are hunting for an old elephant. Claudia does not see this as a hunting trip but as a chance to spend time with her father. For her father, it is a chance to achieve something he has always wanted. Claudia is against hunting and this means she clashes with Seran often. All three are stubborn and have their own opinions. This is a way for the author to show the various opinions of the time regarding hunting.
The team delve into danger as they try, but fail to avoid the conflict between warring factions as they wander into Zimbabwe in pursuit of the hunt. In this period, South Rhodesia claimed its independence from the UK and became Zimbabwe under the leadership of Robert Mugabe. The decade was volatile and this made the hunt into this area dangerous.
While this book is part of the Courtney series, it can be read as a stand-alone as the author does not feed the history into the narrative. Sean Courtney is the grandson of Centaine de Thiry.
The book has the same action and adventure vibe as the previous and the essence of life at the time is very much in this story. There are some friendships formed and friendships lost in this book. Details of the character's journey across the area are fraught with tension, and danger and this is felt in the story.
It was another fabulous episode in the series and one that I adored. I am aware that not everyone has the same feeling about this book and feels it lacks something, and I agree. It is still a fabulous read but when in close proximity to the others there is something missing.
If you are a fan of action, adventure, historical fiction and tense story lines then this is a book you should look at. Even though it can be read as a stand-alone I do recommend reading it in order as the series is fabulous. It is one I would happily recommend.
October 14, 2014
বইটার শুরুর প্রায় শতাধিক পৃষ্ঠা পর্যন্ত শিকার কাহিনী। প্রথমে ভেভেছিলাম বইটা স্মিথের আর সব বই থেকে আলাদা,একটা জিম করবেট টাইপ শিকার কাহিনী হতে পারে।তবে শিকার কাহিনী যে খারাপ লাগছিলো তা না।ভালই লাগছিলো কাহিনী।
একশত পৃষ্ঠার পর থেকেই বইয়ের কাহিনী মোড় নিতে থাকে।গল্পের নায়ক শন কোর্টনি যে একজন এক্স কর্নেল, ফ্রেলিমো আর রেনামো;এই দুই বাহিনীর মাঝখানে আফ্রিকার সহিংস যুদ্ধে আটকা পড়ে যায়।তার সাথে অপরূপা ক্লডিয়া মনটেরো আর শনের বন্ধু জোব আর মাতাউ।কাহিনী এগিয়ে যায়। শন বাধ্য হয় রেনামোদের হয়ে গেরিলা অপারেশনে কমান্ড দিতে।নইলে ক্লডিয়াকে কর্নেল চায়না নৃসংসভাবে খুন করবে।
অপারেশন সফল হলে শনকে ক্লডিয়ার হাতে ছেড়ে দেয়া হলো।যুদ্ধবিদ্ধস্ত এলাকা পাড়ি দিতে পায়ে হেটে মাইলের পর মাইল পাড়ি দিতে শুরু করলো ওরা।কিন্তু কর্নেল চায়না অত সহজে শনকে ছেড়ে দেয়ার পাত্র নয়।ব্যক্তিগত কিছু হিসেব বাকি ছিল তার শনের সাথে।ভয়ঙ্কর হিন্দ হেলিকাপটার নিয়ে কোনঠাসা আক্রমন করলো শনদের উপর।বাচার আশা ছেড়ে দিল ওরা।প্রিয়তমা ক্লডিয়ার মাথায় পিস্তল তাক করলো শন যাতে জ্যান্ত ধরা পড়লে চায়নার হিংস্র বাহিনীর হাতে ছিন্ন বিচ্ছিন্ন না হতে হয়।
তারপর?
এ টাইম টু ডাই....হিংস্র আফ্রিকার বুকে বন্ধুত্বের জন্য একটি আত্মত্যাগের গল্প।নিটোল ভালবাসার গল্প।ভয়ংকর যুদ্ধ আর ধ্বংসলীলার গল্প
মনে রাখার মত একটা বই।
আমার গুডরিডসে রেটিং ৫/৫
একশত পৃষ্ঠার পর থেকেই বইয়ের কাহিনী মোড় নিতে থাকে।গল্পের নায়ক শন কোর্টনি যে একজন এক্স কর্নেল, ফ্রেলিমো আর রেনামো;এই দুই বাহিনীর মাঝখানে আফ্রিকার সহিংস যুদ্ধে আটকা পড়ে যায়।তার সাথে অপরূপা ক্লডিয়া মনটেরো আর শনের বন্ধু জোব আর মাতাউ।কাহিনী এগিয়ে যায়। শন বাধ্য হয় রেনামোদের হয়ে গেরিলা অপারেশনে কমান্ড দিতে।নইলে ক্লডিয়াকে কর্নেল চায়না নৃসংসভাবে খুন করবে।
অপারেশন সফল হলে শনকে ক্লডিয়ার হাতে ছেড়ে দেয়া হলো।যুদ্ধবিদ্ধস্ত এলাকা পাড়ি দিতে পায়ে হেটে মাইলের পর মাইল পাড়ি দিতে শুরু করলো ওরা।কিন্তু কর্নেল চায়না অত সহজে শনকে ছেড়ে দেয়ার পাত্র নয়।ব্যক্তিগত কিছু হিসেব বাকি ছিল তার শনের সাথে।ভয়ঙ্কর হিন্দ হেলিকাপটার নিয়ে কোনঠাসা আক্রমন করলো শনদের উপর।বাচার আশা ছেড়ে দিল ওরা।প্রিয়তমা ক্লডিয়ার মাথায় পিস্তল তাক করলো শন যাতে জ্যান্ত ধরা পড়লে চায়নার হিংস্র বাহিনীর হাতে ছিন্ন বিচ্ছিন্ন না হতে হয়।
তারপর?
এ টাইম টু ডাই....হিংস্র আফ্রিকার বুকে বন্ধুত্বের জন্য একটি আত্মত্যাগের গল্প।নিটোল ভালবাসার গল্প।ভয়ংকর যুদ্ধ আর ধ্বংসলীলার গল্প
মনে রাখার মত একটা বই।
আমার গুডরিডসে রেটিং ৫/৫
January 5, 2021
The next in Smith's COURTNEY series, although this feels like more of a stand-alone novel as there's little of the in-depth political backdrop and shenanigans and Sean Courtney is the only major character from the series who features. In any case, this is typically riveting stuff, starting out on familiar ground as a bunch of characters hunt rare game through the bush in Zimbabwe before moving into something much more interesting in the second half. The civil war in Mozambique turns out to be a gripping background for the main story, which has all of the boy's own adventure and military incident that fans of the author will love. The story feels even more sadistic than others I've read, with sheer sadism described in eye-watering detail, but the excitement is second to none, especially in the last 100 pages or so. There are problems here - women tend to be described merely as sexual objects, the hunting material doesn't sit well with modern sensibilities - but it's still a strong book from an author in his prime.
February 17, 2022
This is my final book in The Courtney series, except for the posthumous one out later this year. This was not as good as some of the others in the series. There was nothing wrong with the plot and or the story, I just found some of the graphic descriptions of cruelty a little bit off putting. One of the main characters in the book General China is one of the most obnoxious people I have encountered in fiction, although I think many an African despot like Idi Amin and Robert Mugabe to name but 2 were probably as bad. The main character Shaun Courtney was great in this book both as a big game hunter and as a guerilla fighter. The most satisfying part was General China’s demise at the end. Now I have read all of the Courtney series I will try some of Wilbur Smiths stand alone novels. This book I RECOMMENDED to anyone who has read the other Courtney novels. Just be aware of graphic cruelty in the book.
May 9, 2018
A great book. Suspenseful till the last page(where you’ll want to cheer)
One of Mr. Smith’s fine books. On the same suspense as all his other works. Great plot, great suspense, very detailed.
One of Mr. Smith’s fine books. On the same suspense as all his other works. Great plot, great suspense, very detailed.
May 14, 2013
Read a long time ago. Enjoyed it as most of his books.
March 12, 2012
so much suspense, sex-appeal and adventure...the story of a simple hunt is turned into so much more
January 15, 2022
I have a confession to make. I love reading a good action/adventure novel before bed and have read around 10 Wilbur Smith novels throughout my life. Wilbur Smith is to historical fiction what Stephen King is to horror. His writing is easily accessible, well-paced, and after you read a few of his works you generally know what to expect. Whether that’s a good or bad thing is left to your own personal taste, but I do want to talk about some of the things I enjoy and dislike about his novels in general before I get into A Time to Die.
Smith’s novels are set in many different historical eras, from the 1600s up to modern day, but regardless of when they take place there are always many engaging details of landscapes, nature, and culture, wildlife. Truth be told my faviourite Wilbur Smith novels are often the lengthier ones that follow daily life in specific cultures and descriptions of African wildlife. There is clearly a large amount of research put into each novel and Smiths weaving of these details into his stories is definitely his biggest strength.
If you read a few of Smith’s novels you start to get the impression that although the settings change, the characters often stay the same. Here are some of the characters you can expect in a typical Wilbur Smith novel. The classic male hero, quick thinking, well educated, and of course tough as nails, the vile villain who will stop at nothing to destroy the hero and all that he loves, at least one best friend character who will do anything for the hero, and a woman who often needs saving. Of course this isn’t the story of every single Smith novel that I’ve read, but it’s pretty damn close. I’m not even saying it’s a bad thing. Some people are just looking for some escapism that also includes some interesting historical facts, and who am I to judge?
Over the years I have grown a general distaste for how Smith writes women characters. Not only are they generally secondary, but they often need to be placed in peril in order to be involved with the plot and even if the character is written as strong and independent, before the end of the novel they will see that only the love of a strong man can make them feel complete. Easily one of the low points for any Smith novel.
This brings me to the 1989 novel A Time To Die. Unlike a good deal of his other novels that I have read, this one is set during the time it was written, the late 1980s. It follows Sean Courtney, veteran guerrilla fighter, who now leads rich Americans on safaris in Zimbabwe, his client Ricardo Monterro and his daughter Claudia as they hunt a lion and bull elephant. Their hunt leads them into war town Mozambique where they are taken prisoner and forced to carry out the wishes of the power-hungry General China. Of course, Sean and Claudia fall desperately in love (even though he is a major conservative and she a staunch liberal) and China exploits their love to get Sean to do his bidding. Sean is also aided by his former scouts now turned employees Job and Matatu, who would do anything for him. Gee, this sounds a lot like my general description of what a typical Wilbur Smith book is like doesn’t it?
There are some interesting elements to this novel with its modern day setting that I haven’t seen in as much of Smith’s work that has settings in the 1700s. It challenged me as a reader by focusing on conservative and liberal points of view regarding big game hunting, and African liberation that I found interesting.
As always the setting descriptions are fantastic with a faviourite section taking place in the African swamps as Sean and Riccardo hunt the bull elephant nicknamed Tukutela. Another interesting aspect of this more modern Smith novel is his descriptions of what was once a beautiful, lush landscape turned black and barren due to years of modern warfare in the area. Overall, this novel had a much darker and grittier feeling than some of his other work, with a fair amount of violence and torture.
Have you ever been thinking about watching a film and decided that you wanted some popcorn fodder? Something that will be predictable with familiar characters and plot, but you still enjoy it anyway because it was just what you were looking for? That’s the kind of novel this is.
Smith’s novels are set in many different historical eras, from the 1600s up to modern day, but regardless of when they take place there are always many engaging details of landscapes, nature, and culture, wildlife. Truth be told my faviourite Wilbur Smith novels are often the lengthier ones that follow daily life in specific cultures and descriptions of African wildlife. There is clearly a large amount of research put into each novel and Smiths weaving of these details into his stories is definitely his biggest strength.
If you read a few of Smith’s novels you start to get the impression that although the settings change, the characters often stay the same. Here are some of the characters you can expect in a typical Wilbur Smith novel. The classic male hero, quick thinking, well educated, and of course tough as nails, the vile villain who will stop at nothing to destroy the hero and all that he loves, at least one best friend character who will do anything for the hero, and a woman who often needs saving. Of course this isn’t the story of every single Smith novel that I’ve read, but it’s pretty damn close. I’m not even saying it’s a bad thing. Some people are just looking for some escapism that also includes some interesting historical facts, and who am I to judge?
Over the years I have grown a general distaste for how Smith writes women characters. Not only are they generally secondary, but they often need to be placed in peril in order to be involved with the plot and even if the character is written as strong and independent, before the end of the novel they will see that only the love of a strong man can make them feel complete. Easily one of the low points for any Smith novel.
This brings me to the 1989 novel A Time To Die. Unlike a good deal of his other novels that I have read, this one is set during the time it was written, the late 1980s. It follows Sean Courtney, veteran guerrilla fighter, who now leads rich Americans on safaris in Zimbabwe, his client Ricardo Monterro and his daughter Claudia as they hunt a lion and bull elephant. Their hunt leads them into war town Mozambique where they are taken prisoner and forced to carry out the wishes of the power-hungry General China. Of course, Sean and Claudia fall desperately in love (even though he is a major conservative and she a staunch liberal) and China exploits their love to get Sean to do his bidding. Sean is also aided by his former scouts now turned employees Job and Matatu, who would do anything for him. Gee, this sounds a lot like my general description of what a typical Wilbur Smith book is like doesn’t it?
There are some interesting elements to this novel with its modern day setting that I haven’t seen in as much of Smith’s work that has settings in the 1700s. It challenged me as a reader by focusing on conservative and liberal points of view regarding big game hunting, and African liberation that I found interesting.
As always the setting descriptions are fantastic with a faviourite section taking place in the African swamps as Sean and Riccardo hunt the bull elephant nicknamed Tukutela. Another interesting aspect of this more modern Smith novel is his descriptions of what was once a beautiful, lush landscape turned black and barren due to years of modern warfare in the area. Overall, this novel had a much darker and grittier feeling than some of his other work, with a fair amount of violence and torture.
Have you ever been thinking about watching a film and decided that you wanted some popcorn fodder? Something that will be predictable with familiar characters and plot, but you still enjoy it anyway because it was just what you were looking for? That’s the kind of novel this is.
June 26, 2019
A Time to Die is the 7th of Wilbur Smith’s Courtney series (book 4 of The Burning Shore sequence). Although it is set in 1987 after the book 8, Golden Fox. Wilbur Smith however never saw it as a part of the mainstream Courtney series.
I can see why he didn’t class it as a Courtney book. Although it features Sean Courtney son of Sasha De Thiry and Tara Malcomess. Grandson of Centaine de Thiry, it is a stand alone story. You don’t need to know the Courtney history to enjoy it.
It’s a straight forward adventure story split into two halves. The first part is set around big game hunting in Africa. Sean is employed by Riccardo Monterro to take him on a hunt for lion and elephant. Riccardo brings along his daughter Claudia. However they chase an elephant over the border into war torn Mozambique which forms the second part of this story.
Wilbur Smith paints a majestic picture of Africa, it’s wild landscapes of open plains, swamplands, jungles and mountains and it’s inhabitants. He describes in detail the hunt for lion and elephant. Something I found difficult to read. He also describes the Mozambique civil war and the bloodshed and cruelty, and there are some cruel people in this book. Particularly the villain of the book General China. A villain worthy of the title. The violence is very graphic at times.
It is a fast moving high adventure story with twists and turns and knife edge suspense. It's action packed with battles, daring escapes, friendship, heroism and of course, love. Its probably the most enjoyable Courtney book since The Burning Shore. I would put Claudia Monterro up there with Centaine de Thiry
A ripping yarn.
I can see why he didn’t class it as a Courtney book. Although it features Sean Courtney son of Sasha De Thiry and Tara Malcomess. Grandson of Centaine de Thiry, it is a stand alone story. You don’t need to know the Courtney history to enjoy it.
It’s a straight forward adventure story split into two halves. The first part is set around big game hunting in Africa. Sean is employed by Riccardo Monterro to take him on a hunt for lion and elephant. Riccardo brings along his daughter Claudia. However they chase an elephant over the border into war torn Mozambique which forms the second part of this story.
Wilbur Smith paints a majestic picture of Africa, it’s wild landscapes of open plains, swamplands, jungles and mountains and it’s inhabitants. He describes in detail the hunt for lion and elephant. Something I found difficult to read. He also describes the Mozambique civil war and the bloodshed and cruelty, and there are some cruel people in this book. Particularly the villain of the book General China. A villain worthy of the title. The violence is very graphic at times.
It is a fast moving high adventure story with twists and turns and knife edge suspense. It's action packed with battles, daring escapes, friendship, heroism and of course, love. Its probably the most enjoyable Courtney book since The Burning Shore. I would put Claudia Monterro up there with Centaine de Thiry
A ripping yarn.
May 12, 2023
A Courtney adventure novel that gets back to the beginnings of the series, A Time to Die recovers somewhat from the downward spiral the series took in its other later volumes. In fact, A Time to Die would have rated much higher had Wilbur overcome the urge to spend 10-11 pages describing elephant sex. I thought it the single worst passage I had read in his books--until later we get to the Sean-Claudia sex scenes on the battlefield, which make the elephant scene look demure and dignified. Yes, this is a volume that focuses on Sean Courtney, the grandson of the proginator of the clan, old Sean who came out of the veldt to invest in gold and timber and start the family fortune. In a bit of a tiresome repeat, this Sean is as big or bigger rogue than the original. But we know that if we've read the earlier books in the series. Somehow, Sean manages to turn a safari hunt for lions and elephants into an abduction of one of his clients and involving himself in a civil war in Mozambique. This latter part is often quite good. And Wilbur himself goes back somewhat to the original focus of his books from the 1960s. So much of the Courtney series became cluttered with unfulfilled side plots and deadend characters. But here Wilbur focuses and gets back into form for a fairly good adventure story about battling across Mozambique and avoiding two rebel armies that want Sean and his friends killed. It works pretty well.
September 14, 2020
This book came to me unexpectedly (it was found in my mother-in-law’s magazine rack which we brought home after she passed) at the beginning of the global pandemic. I had never heard of the author before, so it’s a given that this isn’t my kind of book. And the title! It was so strange - and so strangely timed - I just had to read it.
And I’m glad I did. It’s an engaging enough story, though harrowing in places, on a topic that I probably should have spent more time thinking about: hunting wild animals in Africa. It feels distasteful even writing that, so I must have strong opinions about it, but I’m not sure I would have ever considered them in full had I not read this book.
The story is definitely an adventure - and not one I’d ever want to find myself on - so if you like that kind of thing, I’d definitely recommend this book! As far as books go, it’s done it’s job of whisking me away to Africa in the middle of a Scottish summer, and that’s enough for me. So much so, I don’t feel a need to delve any further into Smith’s huge back-catalogue. But, if that is your thing, there’s loads to choose from!
And I’m glad I did. It’s an engaging enough story, though harrowing in places, on a topic that I probably should have spent more time thinking about: hunting wild animals in Africa. It feels distasteful even writing that, so I must have strong opinions about it, but I’m not sure I would have ever considered them in full had I not read this book.
The story is definitely an adventure - and not one I’d ever want to find myself on - so if you like that kind of thing, I’d definitely recommend this book! As far as books go, it’s done it’s job of whisking me away to Africa in the middle of a Scottish summer, and that’s enough for me. So much so, I don’t feel a need to delve any further into Smith’s huge back-catalogue. But, if that is your thing, there’s loads to choose from!
January 27, 2022
Stătea de mai mult de două ore fără să se mişte, iar nevoia de mişcare era deja o tortură de neîndurat. Fiecare muşchi din corp părea să-i tremure în aşteptarea destinderii. Fesele îi amorţiseră şi, în ciuda sfatului primit, nu se uşurase înainte să se ascundă, căci fusese prea jenată de compania bărbaţilor şi încă prea speriată de savana africană ca să se îndepărteze singură în căutarea unui loc retras. Acum însă îşi regreta pudoarea şi timiditatea. Se uita fix prin despicătura din urzeala grosolană de iarbă a ascunzătorii, ghemuită în tunelul îngust pe care puşcaşii îl tăiaseră meticulos prin tufişurile dese, căci până şi cea mai subţire rămurică putea devia un glonţ, zbura cu o viteză de 1.000 de metri pe secundă. Tunelul era lung de şaizeci de metri, realizat în aşa fel încât luneta telescopică a puştii să poată focaliza precis. Fără să-şi mişte kapul, Claudia îşi răsuci ochii către locul de alături, unde pândea tatăl ei. Îşi sprijinise puşca pe o creangă în formă de Y din faţa lui şi mâna dreaptă îi era rezemată pe armă. Nu trebuia s-o ridice decât foarte puţin, doar câţiva centimetri, până la obraz, ca să ţintească şi să tragă.
May 11, 2024
Oplæser: Torben Sekov. Så god - ærger mig over, at han ikke har indlæst hele serien.
Man kan mærke Afrikas hjerte banke i denne storslåede og spændende roman. Storvildtjagten beskrives med en stor kærlighed til landet, til det jagede dyr og til jægeren. Beskrivelsen af elefantens liv og forestillingen om, hvorfor elefanten reagere som den gør, var fantastisk skrevet.
Denne roman indeholder alt hvad jeg kunne ønske mig i en spændingsroman. Dejligt flettet sammen med de smukke naturoplevelser. Men den indeholder også sorgen over det forspildte, det ødelagte og det ekstremt voldelige.
Afrika er et kontinent med mange krigeriske folkeslag. Romanen er også en vejviser til nogle af de voldsomme krige og ødelæggelser der har været og fortsat er, i Afrika. Blot fordi en landegrænse er markeret, er ikke ensbetydende med ro og samhørighed. Tværtimod.
Den bedste bog i serien, indtil nu. Glæder mig til næste bog.
Man kan mærke Afrikas hjerte banke i denne storslåede og spændende roman. Storvildtjagten beskrives med en stor kærlighed til landet, til det jagede dyr og til jægeren. Beskrivelsen af elefantens liv og forestillingen om, hvorfor elefanten reagere som den gør, var fantastisk skrevet.
Denne roman indeholder alt hvad jeg kunne ønske mig i en spændingsroman. Dejligt flettet sammen med de smukke naturoplevelser. Men den indeholder også sorgen over det forspildte, det ødelagte og det ekstremt voldelige.
Afrika er et kontinent med mange krigeriske folkeslag. Romanen er også en vejviser til nogle af de voldsomme krige og ødelæggelser der har været og fortsat er, i Afrika. Blot fordi en landegrænse er markeret, er ikke ensbetydende med ro og samhørighed. Tværtimod.
Den bedste bog i serien, indtil nu. Glæder mig til næste bog.
November 21, 2019
Ohhh how amazing is to read to Wilbur Smith..
I like the way of his writing. Also the novel is full with information about Africa and the politics behind the districting war. The corruption of the government and the leadership led to the deterioration of the national resources as well as the national wildlife. I was amazed by the discussion between Claudia and Sean.. it is very difficult to judge people thinking without stepping in their shoes.
However, there was too harsh jump in the story from hunting safari into guerrilla fighting. It feels like the author is putting two stories in one. This might be a good for some readers but not for me as the story became to long. Even though, I know that Wilbur like writing long novels.
I like the way of his writing. Also the novel is full with information about Africa and the politics behind the districting war. The corruption of the government and the leadership led to the deterioration of the national resources as well as the national wildlife. I was amazed by the discussion between Claudia and Sean.. it is very difficult to judge people thinking without stepping in their shoes.
However, there was too harsh jump in the story from hunting safari into guerrilla fighting. It feels like the author is putting two stories in one. This might be a good for some readers but not for me as the story became to long. Even though, I know that Wilbur like writing long novels.
January 15, 2020
I remember reading A Time To Die years ago, and thinking it was the best thing I'd ever read. On holidays over the last few weeks I found a battered paperback in my father-in-law's bookshelf and thought I'd give it another go. Unfortunately I don't think it had aged too well. This time around I found Sean Courtney just a little too amazingly brilliant at pretty much everything from rock-climbing to shooting, to guerrilla warfare, to tracking, to fighting off a deadly snake (while rock-climbing), to throwing grenades with unerring accuracy etc etc etc.
It's definitely fast-paced, all out action, and I still remembered and enjoyed the character of Matutu as much as ever. But beyond that, this one hasn't stood the test of time.
It's definitely fast-paced, all out action, and I still remembered and enjoyed the character of Matutu as much as ever. But beyond that, this one hasn't stood the test of time.
September 1, 2017
Ho iniziato il libro con un certo scetticismo, ma devo dire di essermi ricreduto molto presto.
Il libro è avvincente e, pur se la trama è per alcuni aspetti prevedibile, riesce a fare uno spaccato di una certa zona e cultura dell'Africa in un preciso momento storico.
Il protagonista Sean Courtney ha luci e ombre, così come la donna che si sceglierà come compagna, Claudia Monterro, e per certi aspetti i dialoghi tra i due uniti allo svilupparsi della vicenda forniscono un dialogo dialettico tra posizioni più o meno preconcette dell'Africa.
Non so se leggerò altri libri di Wilbur Smith, ma non mi sento di escluderlo. Una lettura ludica ma anche istruttiva e interessante.
Il libro è avvincente e, pur se la trama è per alcuni aspetti prevedibile, riesce a fare uno spaccato di una certa zona e cultura dell'Africa in un preciso momento storico.
Il protagonista Sean Courtney ha luci e ombre, così come la donna che si sceglierà come compagna, Claudia Monterro, e per certi aspetti i dialoghi tra i due uniti allo svilupparsi della vicenda forniscono un dialogo dialettico tra posizioni più o meno preconcette dell'Africa.
Non so se leggerò altri libri di Wilbur Smith, ma non mi sento di escluderlo. Una lettura ludica ma anche istruttiva e interessante.
August 14, 2022
Again, I have found that Wilbur Smith's books are useful to learn about African politics and recent history.
This time the action takes place in Mozambique in the 80'us with a vivid picture of the civil war. The author tries to point out every political view and make a SWAT analysis for the reader. It is interesting to read about the African point of view, the South African point of view and the American point of view.
The actual plot of the story is easy to summarise as a cartoon where the coyote fails time and time again to capture the road runner who every time escapes due to the most ludicrous circumstances.
This time the action takes place in Mozambique in the 80'us with a vivid picture of the civil war. The author tries to point out every political view and make a SWAT analysis for the reader. It is interesting to read about the African point of view, the South African point of view and the American point of view.
The actual plot of the story is easy to summarise as a cartoon where the coyote fails time and time again to capture the road runner who every time escapes due to the most ludicrous circumstances.
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