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Courtney publication order #4
The Burning Shore
This first volume of the second Courtney sequence, The Burning Shore is a marvelous epic of courage and love that moves from the blazing skies of war torn France to the secret heart of the African wilderness.
It is the odyssey of a beautiful young woman of aristocratic birth, Centaine de Thiry, in search of love and fortune – a monumental journey of mystery and discovery.
Centaine de Thiry grew up with privilege, wealth, and freedom on a sprawling French estate. Then war came crashing down around her, and a daring young South African aviator named Michael Courtney stole her heart amidst the destruction. But the tides of fate and battle sent the young woman on a journey across a dangerous sea to the coast of Africa.
When Centaine's ship is torpedoed and sunk, she is plunged into a shark-filled sea miles from the unseen shore. And when she reaches land, Centaine puts foot not in the lush world that Michael Courtney described to her, but on the edge of a burning desert--alone and fighting for her life.
In a strange world, under a great rushing sky, Centaine sets forth in the company of wandering Bushmen--and then into the arms of a renegade white soldier who may be her savior or destruction. As Michael Courtney's family searches for Centaine, she comes near her promised land--and the untold tragedy and riches that it holds...
Once again in The Burning Shore Wilbur Smith proves that he is the master storyteller. Whether his subject is love or war, whether he is describing the conflict of men and machines above the trenches of 1917 or the onslaught of a ravenous man-eating lion, he writes with such authority and hypnotic attention to detail that the reader is swept away on the torrent of the narrative.
Magnificently exciting, full of vivid action, passion and mystery, The Burning Shore is certainly one of the richest and most entertaining adventure stories of our time.
It is the odyssey of a beautiful young woman of aristocratic birth, Centaine de Thiry, in search of love and fortune – a monumental journey of mystery and discovery.
Centaine de Thiry grew up with privilege, wealth, and freedom on a sprawling French estate. Then war came crashing down around her, and a daring young South African aviator named Michael Courtney stole her heart amidst the destruction. But the tides of fate and battle sent the young woman on a journey across a dangerous sea to the coast of Africa.
When Centaine's ship is torpedoed and sunk, she is plunged into a shark-filled sea miles from the unseen shore. And when she reaches land, Centaine puts foot not in the lush world that Michael Courtney described to her, but on the edge of a burning desert--alone and fighting for her life.
In a strange world, under a great rushing sky, Centaine sets forth in the company of wandering Bushmen--and then into the arms of a renegade white soldier who may be her savior or destruction. As Michael Courtney's family searches for Centaine, she comes near her promised land--and the untold tragedy and riches that it holds...
Once again in The Burning Shore Wilbur Smith proves that he is the master storyteller. Whether his subject is love or war, whether he is describing the conflict of men and machines above the trenches of 1917 or the onslaught of a ravenous man-eating lion, he writes with such authority and hypnotic attention to detail that the reader is swept away on the torrent of the narrative.
Magnificently exciting, full of vivid action, passion and mystery, The Burning Shore is certainly one of the richest and most entertaining adventure stories of our time.
604 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1985
781 people are currently reading
2638 people want to read
About the author
Wilbur Smith
333 books4,426 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 272 reviews
September 8, 2021
I have always liked Wilbur Smith's books. They can be brutal, horrifyingly bloody, and almost excessively dramatic. But boy howdy, they are also rip-snorters of adventures that keep me up late at night turning pages, lost in Smith's world.
I've only read four (now five) since joining GR, but I have many others in my library that I imagine I will re-read and review Someday.
Smith wrote 17 titles which revolved around the Courtney family in South Africa, but The Burning Shore (#4 in the series) is the only one I have read as far as I recall at the moment. The first time through was over fifteen years ago, so this reading was fresh and almost new.
Here we meet Michael Courtney, an ace fighter pilot in WWI France, and follow his flying sorties as well as his romance with Centaine de Thiry who lives at the chateau near the airfield. There are some incredible dogfight scenes, and the horrors of that particular war to end all wars are made quite plain.
Centaine and Michael plan to marry, and in the fever of life that comes along with that of war, they enjoy some blissful moments together. Usually Smith's books feature manly men as the main characters, but Centaine takes over this story when Fate and the Germans destroy her home and her dreams. Michael's uncle arranges passage for her on a ship heading to the family home in South Africa, but will this journey be the end of her troubles, or just the beginning?
As I said, this is number 4 in the Courtney series. When I was preparing to write this review, I learned that the other two big Smith books on the same shelf are numbers 5 and 6 and deal with two young men who were born in this book, so I have decided to extend my stay in South Africa and find out What Happens Next.
I'm also curious to discover if I have read these books before. So far the dust jacket blurbs have not triggered any ah-ha moments, so I am eager to get myself back to South Africa!
I've only read four (now five) since joining GR, but I have many others in my library that I imagine I will re-read and review Someday.
Smith wrote 17 titles which revolved around the Courtney family in South Africa, but The Burning Shore (#4 in the series) is the only one I have read as far as I recall at the moment. The first time through was over fifteen years ago, so this reading was fresh and almost new.
Here we meet Michael Courtney, an ace fighter pilot in WWI France, and follow his flying sorties as well as his romance with Centaine de Thiry who lives at the chateau near the airfield. There are some incredible dogfight scenes, and the horrors of that particular war to end all wars are made quite plain.
Centaine and Michael plan to marry, and in the fever of life that comes along with that of war, they enjoy some blissful moments together. Usually Smith's books feature manly men as the main characters, but Centaine takes over this story when Fate and the Germans destroy her home and her dreams. Michael's uncle arranges passage for her on a ship heading to the family home in South Africa, but will this journey be the end of her troubles, or just the beginning?
As I said, this is number 4 in the Courtney series. When I was preparing to write this review, I learned that the other two big Smith books on the same shelf are numbers 5 and 6 and deal with two young men who were born in this book, so I have decided to extend my stay in South Africa and find out What Happens Next.
I'm also curious to discover if I have read these books before. So far the dust jacket blurbs have not triggered any ah-ha moments, so I am eager to get myself back to South Africa!
January 12, 2016
Returning to the Courtney series, Smith takes readers into the next generation of the family and their exploits. While fighting the Great War in Europe, Michael Courtney, illegitimate son of Sean Courtney, crosses paths with a young Frenchwoman, Centaine de Thiry. They soon fall in love and during a passionate night, conceive a child. They plan to marry and return to the African subcontinent after the war, much to Centaine's curiosity and delight. While running a routine air reconnaissance mission, Michael is ambushed by the Germans and dies on his wedding day. When a sense of grief overcomes both Centaine and Sean, the latter still fostering the secret that Michael is his and not his brother Garrick's, both agree that Centaine must leave Europe immediately. Centaine and her nurse are sent on a hospital boat to South Africa, where she may live with Michael's family. However, the boat is torpedoed and Centaine is separated from the others, drifting to shore off the coast of southwest Africa, alone and still pregnant. As she tries to find her way, Centaine is taken in by a couple from the San tribe, who help her navigate the bush and teach her of their ways, including a special piece of land, 'The Place of All Life'. Here, Centaine eventually gives birth to a son, whom she names Michael Shasa Courtney, to honour both his father and the San couple. Centaine is eventually tracked down by German South African Lothar De La Rey, who agrees to return her to Garrick Courtney for a pardon. While they travel with young Michael, Centaine exhibits another moment of weakness and falls in love with Lothar before conceiving a child with him as well. She is happy to start a new life until she learns the San have been killed by Lothar. With a number of important choices to make, Centaine must decide how to carve out her life in Africa as a newly-adopted member of the Courtney family. Smith lays out the foundation for a wonderfully complex second series in the Courtney collection with this interesting opening novel, forcing the reader to recall all the characters who have played a role up to this point.
As I shift gears and return to the Courtney mindset, I am happy to see that Smith has not spared the reader any of the action or intrigue. As with all multi-generational novels, there is a need to bridge past stories with new ones, which Smith does effectively. In truth, parts of this novel precede A SPARROW FALLS, which left me trying to place some of these characters, to determine if I had heard of them in the aforementioned novel. The shift from the Sean and Garrick era to Centaine's new role with enrich the story and keep the reader interested as well as curious. Smith's depiction, both of the European theatre of war and the African backcountry, leaves little to the imagination and forces readers to pay close attention to all the nuances offered. I suspect that Smith has much more in store for the reader as the story continues to unravel and new characters will play central roles in the larger narrative as the series expands.
Kudos, Mr. Smith for a great novel, launching a powerful new portion of the series, and keeping Africa as your central setting. I cannot wait to see what else you have in mind for your readers.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
As I shift gears and return to the Courtney mindset, I am happy to see that Smith has not spared the reader any of the action or intrigue. As with all multi-generational novels, there is a need to bridge past stories with new ones, which Smith does effectively. In truth, parts of this novel precede A SPARROW FALLS, which left me trying to place some of these characters, to determine if I had heard of them in the aforementioned novel. The shift from the Sean and Garrick era to Centaine's new role with enrich the story and keep the reader interested as well as curious. Smith's depiction, both of the European theatre of war and the African backcountry, leaves little to the imagination and forces readers to pay close attention to all the nuances offered. I suspect that Smith has much more in store for the reader as the story continues to unravel and new characters will play central roles in the larger narrative as the series expands.
Kudos, Mr. Smith for a great novel, launching a powerful new portion of the series, and keeping Africa as your central setting. I cannot wait to see what else you have in mind for your readers.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
June 9, 2022
Het verhaal begint tijdens de eerste wereldoorlog. Centaine de Thiry, een jonge Franse vrouw, maakt kennis met de gevechtspiloot Michael Courtney. Ze worden verliefd, en besluiten te trouwen, maar het noodlot slaat toe en Michael sneuvelt. Samen met haar dienstmeid Anna scheept de zwangere Centaine in op een hospitaalschip dat hen naar Zuid Afrika zal brengen, het land waar de familie van Michael woont. Het schip wordt echter getorpedeerd. Centaine overleeft het en na een moeilijke strijd wordt ze gevonden door een ouder koppel van het volk van de San, of de Bosjesmannen. Ze verzorgen haar en helpen haar zich te redden in het meedogenloze Afrikaanse landschap. Zal Centaine ooit nog terug kunnen naar de wereld van de blanken? Naar de familie van Michael en van haar zoontje Shasa?
Een ontroerend en spannend verhaal!
Ik ben blij dat ik dit boek gelezen heb, maar het is nu ook weer niet zo dat ik zou zeggen dat dit een "must read" is. Ik vond het niet prettig dat het boek geen hoofdstukken heeft, enkel geregeld een paar witte lijnen, om gebeurtenissen van elkaar te scheiden. Sommige beschrijvingen waren ook zeer uitgebreid, zodat ik soms moeite had met verder te lezen. Dat beterde wel naarmate het boek vorderde, waarschijnlijk omdat mijn interesse dan meer gewekt was.
Het interessantste deel van het boek vond ik de tijd dat Centaine bij O'wa en H'ani, de San mensen, verbleef. Dat heb ik met veel plezier gelezen.
Ik kan alleen maar besluiten dat dit een zeer goed boek is.
Een ontroerend en spannend verhaal!
Ik ben blij dat ik dit boek gelezen heb, maar het is nu ook weer niet zo dat ik zou zeggen dat dit een "must read" is. Ik vond het niet prettig dat het boek geen hoofdstukken heeft, enkel geregeld een paar witte lijnen, om gebeurtenissen van elkaar te scheiden. Sommige beschrijvingen waren ook zeer uitgebreid, zodat ik soms moeite had met verder te lezen. Dat beterde wel naarmate het boek vorderde, waarschijnlijk omdat mijn interesse dan meer gewekt was.
Het interessantste deel van het boek vond ik de tijd dat Centaine bij O'wa en H'ani, de San mensen, verbleef. Dat heb ik met veel plezier gelezen.
Ik kan alleen maar besluiten dat dit een zeer goed boek is.
February 26, 2022
Courtney series is action packed with number 4 upholding the tradition, albeit huge detail a Smith hallmark.
November 29, 2014
The beginning of a new Courtney saga, following on from the WHEN THE LION FEEDS trilogy. I found THE BURNING SHORE a bit of a slog to read, perhaps because Smith's previous novel, THE LEOPARD HUNTS IN DARKNESS, was an absolutely triumphant book and one of my favourite reads of all time; this one can't help but pale in comparison.
There's much to love here, but somehow the book lacks the spark of life present in earlier works, and there's a slight sense of Smith going through the motions. Still, it starts off on an excellent footing with the opening section detailing aerial dogfights above the battlefields of WW1, a thunderously exciting and thoroughly compelling narrative that I was sorry to see come to an end.
The book's perspective then shifts to Centaine, Smith's first full-blown heroine lead, but she fails to engage the senses as with his earlier heroes. Sure, her sheer will to survive makes her admirable, but she's a woman defined by events; without them, she would be nothing. The lengthy midsection of the novel is a story of desert survival and I found it repetitive and a little dull.
Things do pick up for the last part, featuring a love-him-or-hate-him character with the kind of moral complexity that I love reading about (Lothar) and the return of some old favourites from the first Courtney trilogy. The narrative suddenly starts to race along, setting things up for the sequel (POWER OF THE SWORD). It's just a shame that the same spark of life wasn't present in the baggy midsection; if it had been, this would have been another classic. As it stands it's a solid but forgettable read.
There's much to love here, but somehow the book lacks the spark of life present in earlier works, and there's a slight sense of Smith going through the motions. Still, it starts off on an excellent footing with the opening section detailing aerial dogfights above the battlefields of WW1, a thunderously exciting and thoroughly compelling narrative that I was sorry to see come to an end.
The book's perspective then shifts to Centaine, Smith's first full-blown heroine lead, but she fails to engage the senses as with his earlier heroes. Sure, her sheer will to survive makes her admirable, but she's a woman defined by events; without them, she would be nothing. The lengthy midsection of the novel is a story of desert survival and I found it repetitive and a little dull.
Things do pick up for the last part, featuring a love-him-or-hate-him character with the kind of moral complexity that I love reading about (Lothar) and the return of some old favourites from the first Courtney trilogy. The narrative suddenly starts to race along, setting things up for the sequel (POWER OF THE SWORD). It's just a shame that the same spark of life wasn't present in the baggy midsection; if it had been, this would have been another classic. As it stands it's a solid but forgettable read.
June 9, 2017
This is a marvelous series and just keeps getting better.
October 16, 2019
Once more Wilbur Smith has written an excellent saga involving the Courtneys: from the French Chateau in the Great War - flying Ace Michael Courtney and his lovely French girlfriend Centaine to the German submarine and survival for Centaine and their son traveling back to Africa.
Continuing interesting characters, beautiful descriptive countryside and wildlife including wild animals that many readers would never have the opportunity to see - it is all there in this book. Good people are sometimes not always good and bad people are not always as bad as they seem.
The End of one of Smith's stories leaves a burning desire [no pun intended on the 'burning' shore] for the reader to start his next book.
Continuing interesting characters, beautiful descriptive countryside and wildlife including wild animals that many readers would never have the opportunity to see - it is all there in this book. Good people are sometimes not always good and bad people are not always as bad as they seem.
The End of one of Smith's stories leaves a burning desire [no pun intended on the 'burning' shore] for the reader to start his next book.
November 16, 2022
The continuing saga of the Courtney clan. Book 4 in a series of 19. Wilbur Smith does Historical Fiction as well as any other authors. I’ve lost count of how many of his books I’ve read. This is not as good as the first three but they are a trilogy inside a series and maybe the following books will be better
September 3, 2018
Centayne De Thiry è giovanissima e molto bella; la sua maturità, ancora in embrione, sboccia con l'incontro di Micheal Courtney, rampollo di una famiglia di facoltosi imprenditori, eroi di guerra, influenti e affermati, che non si sottrae ai suoi doveri quando scoppia una delle più sanguinose guerre che coinvolgono l'Africa e che vede schierati in prima linea, per la prima volta, gli aerei da combattimento, che Micheal pilota come nessun altro. Michael fa nascere in lei, raccontandole della propria terra, un amore per l'Africa che è superato soltanto da quello che la ragazza nutre per il bel pilota. Sarà questo duplice amore a indurre l'aristocratica e spregiudicata francesina a partire verso una fortunosa ma splendida avventura. Portando in grembo il frutto della sua relazione con Michael, Centaine s'imbarca per l'Africa e affronta i mille pericoli che l'attendono...
Come sempre, Smith ci regala un meraviglioso libro di avventura e di amore, che non potete lasciarvi sfuggire.
Come sempre, Smith ci regala un meraviglioso libro di avventura e di amore, che non potete lasciarvi sfuggire.
October 16, 2018
I don't have words to express the praise for this piece. Also I am not in the regretful phase of finishing up this novel at a great pace because there are three more novels to be read on Courtney series pertaining to this. My review can't suffice to explain panoply of wonderful things I learnt. In this awesome description of war, I learnt to fly plane - diving, rolling and firing. Umm, what not?? Then I got familiarized with the inside-out structure of submarine and firing torpedoes. True adventurous experience of hardships faced boldly by Centaine starting from the incredulous escape ashore through the Atlantic to the misery of the deserts of Africa and finally reaching human habitats. And well, crux of this novel are Bushman and their support to Centaine. Eventually how she learnt all survival instincts and temerity from them. That's enough, give it a read!! :)
March 2, 2023
Mă miram ce o să mai povestească omul ăsta în al patrulea volum din #SagaFamilieiCourtney.
Am aflat! Un roman chiar mai frumos decât primele trei!
Am încheiat romanul #ȚărmulÎnFlăcări cum îmi place mie "moamăăăă, ce fain a fost!" Cu regretul că s-a terminat, cu bucuria că l-am citit.
Un roman despre dorința de a supraviețui, despre puterea de a iubi, despre câtă forță poate avea o femeie.
#WilburSmith are un talent deosebit de a povesti și chiar dacă unele întâmplări par incredibile, realizezi că poate...totuși...undeva...cineva...de ce să nu crezi? În putere, în nebunie, în forța pe care ți-o poate da disperarea sau dragostea de mamă.
Cred că mi-a plăcut acest roman mai mult nu doar fiindcă este vorba de forța unei femei, ci și pentru duioșia unor personaje, pentru sensibilitatea unui popor.
Ce Africă frumoasă poartă Wilbur în suflet!
Am aflat! Un roman chiar mai frumos decât primele trei!
Am încheiat romanul #ȚărmulÎnFlăcări cum îmi place mie "moamăăăă, ce fain a fost!" Cu regretul că s-a terminat, cu bucuria că l-am citit.
Un roman despre dorința de a supraviețui, despre puterea de a iubi, despre câtă forță poate avea o femeie.
#WilburSmith are un talent deosebit de a povesti și chiar dacă unele întâmplări par incredibile, realizezi că poate...totuși...undeva...cineva...de ce să nu crezi? În putere, în nebunie, în forța pe care ți-o poate da disperarea sau dragostea de mamă.
Cred că mi-a plăcut acest roman mai mult nu doar fiindcă este vorba de forța unei femei, ci și pentru duioșia unor personaje, pentru sensibilitatea unui popor.
Ce Africă frumoasă poartă Wilbur în suflet!
January 15, 2009
This book was a bit tedious; one huge disaster after another for the young heroine (I forget her name). Within the span of 25 pages she loses her fiance, father, horse, estate/home and forced to endure hardship after hardship (while pregnant). The transport ship she is on heading for Africa is torpedoed; countless others are lost. She is attacked by a huge great white and gets away by feeding it her life raft mate (all for the sake of her unborn child); it was a pretty brutal telling. If you enjoy reading about one calamaty after another for 500 pages or so this is the book for you.
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January 15, 2015I hated this book, so much so that I can't even rate it. On my quest to read all the Courtney books this was by far the most disappointing. It was a long time ago, but I'm pretty sure it had something to do with the women characters being idiots. I also think that I had already put it down once before, picking it up again only because I needed to read it to get to the next book in the series. Worst novel by a favourite author.
April 22, 2015
I loved the book, but I didn't like on big part of the story, I mean I wanted it to go in the opposite way. Is that even possible?
October 30, 2012
Best Wilbur Smith book. Hidden behind a title that screams "Trash!"
November 27, 2025
Epic! Just like everything that Wilbur Smith writes!
July 22, 2025
Ed eccoci all'ennesimo mindfuck con i Courtney in cui siccome si fatica a gestirne più di tre alla volta in vita, senza che si abbia il sentore di tragedia imminente, l'autore ci spiega che Michael è morto da cretino anche se stava meglio a gestire le proprietà in Africa.
Infatti, nel momento in cui si scopre la bella della terra di Francia, che per brevità è minorenne, per fare presto se ne innamora subito, la mette incinta e muore ucciso da uno dei Richthofen il giorno del matrimonio.
Ma il succo del romanzo è che la francesina di ferro è più sfortunata di Yang Kyoungjong (quello catturato da 4 forze armate diverse durante la WWII), perde tutto, torna in Africa, le silurano la nave, rimane spiaggiata nel deserto, compie un traversata in cui Wilbur ci spiega in un dedalo di colori quant'è bella l'Africa in 300 comode pagine, e finisce di nuovo a dare un figlio a quello che indirettamente le ha silurato il piroscafo e poi diventa la donna più ricca e sola del mondo.
Infatti, nel momento in cui si scopre la bella della terra di Francia, che per brevità è minorenne, per fare presto se ne innamora subito, la mette incinta e muore ucciso da uno dei Richthofen il giorno del matrimonio.
Ma il succo del romanzo è che la francesina di ferro è più sfortunata di Yang Kyoungjong (quello catturato da 4 forze armate diverse durante la WWII), perde tutto, torna in Africa, le silurano la nave, rimane spiaggiata nel deserto, compie un traversata in cui Wilbur ci spiega in un dedalo di colori quant'è bella l'Africa in 300 comode pagine, e finisce di nuovo a dare un figlio a quello che indirettamente le ha silurato il piroscafo e poi diventa la donna più ricca e sola del mondo.
May 9, 2023
Premessa: Ci ho messo un mese a finirlo, ma non perché la storia non meritasse, anzi; ma per impegni e viaggi che mi hanno tenuta occupata, e mi è anche dispiaciuto non poter dare a questo libro il giusto spazio che meritava.
Detto questo, è raro che una protagonista femminile riesca a piacermi, men che meno una dei romanzi di Wilbur Smith, almeno per quelli che ho letto finora: sono spesso ragazzine smorfiosette, sempre bellissime, e sempre senza un briciolo di carattere.
Centaine è di un'altra pasta.
Centaine non è una ragazzina, è una donna. Una donna che cresce, e accompagnarla nella sua crescita, attraverso l'Africa di Smith, è un viaggio avventuroso e pieno di meraviglie.
I boscimani del Kalahari, come del resto il paesaggio del Kalahari, mi sono rimasti nel cuore.
Detto questo, è raro che una protagonista femminile riesca a piacermi, men che meno una dei romanzi di Wilbur Smith, almeno per quelli che ho letto finora: sono spesso ragazzine smorfiosette, sempre bellissime, e sempre senza un briciolo di carattere.
Centaine è di un'altra pasta.
Centaine non è una ragazzina, è una donna. Una donna che cresce, e accompagnarla nella sua crescita, attraverso l'Africa di Smith, è un viaggio avventuroso e pieno di meraviglie.
I boscimani del Kalahari, come del resto il paesaggio del Kalahari, mi sono rimasti nel cuore.
October 21, 2023
This is book 1 in the Burning Shore sequence of books, and the 4th published in the Courtney series.
The book opens during World War 1 where Michael Courtney is shot down, saved by Centaine de Thiry, what follows to some degree is a love story, but also a story of hope and determination and untold human courage and bravery in the face of adversity
As you read these books you appreciate that the author is writing about family life, you realise that difficult decisions have to be made, but you can also see that these are made in a way to move the story along and in someways to change its direction so that each book remains fresh and has a different feel.
Within this book there are moments which shock and difficult decisions have to be made, however, you can see and understand the reasons behind these, this also adds to the dramatic feel and tone of the book. It takes you on a roller coaster of emotions
As you come to expect the book not only spans a large timeframe, but here spans continents, with its vivid desecriptive prose the book sets each scene and gives a real sense of place and time, also as befits the period time plays its role, nothing happens overnight
The moments when all seems lost for Centaine give the reader a real feel for the despair and what was endured in her efforts reach the African shore.
Within the book you get a sense of the vastness not only of the oceans but the African landscape especially around the Skeleton Coast
Within the book you also get an understanding of the love felt between the brothers Sean and Garrick all rifts seemingly healed. whilst this book features the Courtneys it is more about introducing Centaine and the part she will play
Wilbur Smith is not talked about as the master of the adventure story for no reason, it is clear to see why as you read on, whilst the book is long in terms of the number of pages, the way the book is written compels you to keep reading. It is the way that he has of describing and setting the scenes that grab my attention and dreams me in.
It is a read that left me breathless by the end, it also creates an atmosphere and sets up some interesting conflicts between the characters that no doubt will be explored in further books.
A read which is driven by character and plot
5* this is a series which I can’t recommend enough, once started you will be hooked and transported to another world
The book opens during World War 1 where Michael Courtney is shot down, saved by Centaine de Thiry, what follows to some degree is a love story, but also a story of hope and determination and untold human courage and bravery in the face of adversity
As you read these books you appreciate that the author is writing about family life, you realise that difficult decisions have to be made, but you can also see that these are made in a way to move the story along and in someways to change its direction so that each book remains fresh and has a different feel.
Within this book there are moments which shock and difficult decisions have to be made, however, you can see and understand the reasons behind these, this also adds to the dramatic feel and tone of the book. It takes you on a roller coaster of emotions
As you come to expect the book not only spans a large timeframe, but here spans continents, with its vivid desecriptive prose the book sets each scene and gives a real sense of place and time, also as befits the period time plays its role, nothing happens overnight
The moments when all seems lost for Centaine give the reader a real feel for the despair and what was endured in her efforts reach the African shore.
Within the book you get a sense of the vastness not only of the oceans but the African landscape especially around the Skeleton Coast
Within the book you also get an understanding of the love felt between the brothers Sean and Garrick all rifts seemingly healed. whilst this book features the Courtneys it is more about introducing Centaine and the part she will play
Wilbur Smith is not talked about as the master of the adventure story for no reason, it is clear to see why as you read on, whilst the book is long in terms of the number of pages, the way the book is written compels you to keep reading. It is the way that he has of describing and setting the scenes that grab my attention and dreams me in.
It is a read that left me breathless by the end, it also creates an atmosphere and sets up some interesting conflicts between the characters that no doubt will be explored in further books.
A read which is driven by character and plot
5* this is a series which I can’t recommend enough, once started you will be hooked and transported to another world
February 21, 2025
Audible listen
Another great Wilbur Smith. Nice to see some Namibian history and inclusion on the San peoples.
Sometimes difficult as the themes and values of early 20th century don't match modern views. However, feels authentic to the period.
Another great Wilbur Smith. Nice to see some Namibian history and inclusion on the San peoples.
Sometimes difficult as the themes and values of early 20th century don't match modern views. However, feels authentic to the period.
January 6, 2023
This was the first "Courtney" book I read many years ago. Still good, with a typical Wilbur Smith style about it.
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July 11, 2024Centaine ... what a woman - that scene through the desert where she survives and saves her unborn child at all costs ...
August 28, 2025
This is the least gripping Wilbur Smith book I’ve ever read.
January 12, 2026
Number 4 for me in this series Well told story of Africa and people Love, war, loss, all part of this drama Hope did not always win I did not like the ending. After so much life, She looses hope and is full of hatred. Struggles can be resolved.
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May 20, 2017Read it twenty-six years ago. The tv series was pretty nice.
December 1, 2023
How can it be that this book is even more exciting than the first three Courtney Series books? Wilbur Smith is unmatched in adventure story writing. This book rivals Pillars of the Earth. The good news is I have about twenty more of this Author to enjoy! Stunning!!!
August 9, 2024
Good but a bit sad 😔
July 30, 2020
The story dramatically improved when it switched from soft erotica to full blown adventure at about 20-30% of the way through. About every possible twist jammed into one novel, but have to give it props that I couldn't have remotely guessed the ending at the 75% point!
June 7, 2015
Sometimes, a good novel doesn’t know when to stop. Gone With the Wind comes to mind, as Scarlett is crying for Rhett’s departure and the reader is gnashing her teeth wondering what will happen when Scarlett “thinks about it tomorrow.”
Though The Burning Shores, by Wilbur Smith, isn’t in the same category as Margaret Mitchell’s classic, the book ends abruptly, leaving enchanted readers eager for a sequel. Fortunately, Smith wrote almost a dozen novels on the African exploits of the same family that the protagonist married into, and so one can hope to find a continuation of her fascinating story in another novel.
Centaine is a young Frenchwoman caught up in the horror of World War I. She nearly marries and has a son by a deceased airman of South African descent and after her home is destroyed goes to Africa to present her unborn child to his father’s family. However, on the way there her ship sinks and she is left to the mercy of the West African desert. After many adventures she is discovered by a white search party and taken back to her family. And here the book could end. But there is another hundred pages describing Centaine’s return and subsequent activities. At the end of these pages the reader is left wondering what will happen next in the grand drama of Centaine’s life.
The Burning Shores is a drama of monumental scale. Set against the sweeping backdrop of Africa, this book takes on a saga-like quality. The heroine rises above near inhuman challenges and comes out not only alive, but successful. While it is improbable that any one person would be miraculously snatched from the jaws of death not once, but twice, the reader still finder herself cheering Centaine along and hoping for the best for her and her child.
If one has the time and the inclination, I would recommend acquiring all the Courtney novels of Wilbur Smith, finding a comfortable chair and losing oneself in their world for a month or two. And while there are no pretensions of The Burning Shore and subsequent novels being scholarly works, one might also learn a thing or two about African life and history.
Though The Burning Shores, by Wilbur Smith, isn’t in the same category as Margaret Mitchell’s classic, the book ends abruptly, leaving enchanted readers eager for a sequel. Fortunately, Smith wrote almost a dozen novels on the African exploits of the same family that the protagonist married into, and so one can hope to find a continuation of her fascinating story in another novel.
Centaine is a young Frenchwoman caught up in the horror of World War I. She nearly marries and has a son by a deceased airman of South African descent and after her home is destroyed goes to Africa to present her unborn child to his father’s family. However, on the way there her ship sinks and she is left to the mercy of the West African desert. After many adventures she is discovered by a white search party and taken back to her family. And here the book could end. But there is another hundred pages describing Centaine’s return and subsequent activities. At the end of these pages the reader is left wondering what will happen next in the grand drama of Centaine’s life.
The Burning Shores is a drama of monumental scale. Set against the sweeping backdrop of Africa, this book takes on a saga-like quality. The heroine rises above near inhuman challenges and comes out not only alive, but successful. While it is improbable that any one person would be miraculously snatched from the jaws of death not once, but twice, the reader still finder herself cheering Centaine along and hoping for the best for her and her child.
If one has the time and the inclination, I would recommend acquiring all the Courtney novels of Wilbur Smith, finding a comfortable chair and losing oneself in their world for a month or two. And while there are no pretensions of The Burning Shore and subsequent novels being scholarly works, one might also learn a thing or two about African life and history.
August 23, 2025
I think that Wilbur Smith must be one of my favourite writers his books are always thrilling and exciting and they stir your emotions from happiness to sadness, from exhilaration to demoralisation and always make you look at your own beliefs in being a human being. His books are also full of real and true and well believable characters.
The Burning Shore starts in war torn France during WWI. Centaine de Thiry lives with her father and her governess Anna in their chateau which is very close to the trenches and also the British airfield where she falls in love with an airman, South African Michael Courtney but there love, however, is tragically short lived. This in itself is both exciting but also heart rending.
The rest of the story is spent in South Africa and is a vast and sweeping saga which is enthralling to say the least and had me gripped right to the very end.
When The Lion Feeds was given to me many years ago by a friend, it still remains one of my all time favourite books and since then I have read quite a lot of the Courtney Series but never in order because they are, think, individually excellent as stand-alones but this one, for me, must be a close second.
A very, very entertaining and exhilarating read, full marks 5/5!
The Burning Shore starts in war torn France during WWI. Centaine de Thiry lives with her father and her governess Anna in their chateau which is very close to the trenches and also the British airfield where she falls in love with an airman, South African Michael Courtney but there love, however, is tragically short lived. This in itself is both exciting but also heart rending.
The rest of the story is spent in South Africa and is a vast and sweeping saga which is enthralling to say the least and had me gripped right to the very end.
When The Lion Feeds was given to me many years ago by a friend, it still remains one of my all time favourite books and since then I have read quite a lot of the Courtney Series but never in order because they are, think, individually excellent as stand-alones but this one, for me, must be a close second.
A very, very entertaining and exhilarating read, full marks 5/5!
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