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Ballantyne #3
Gli angeli piangono
È il 1895: le profezie della Umlimo, la strega che vive in un antro delle Colline Matopos, si avverano: ai flagelli naturali della peste bovina fa seguito la guerra tra bianchi e indigeni insorti. Ralph Ballantyne dovrà imbracciare le armi contro Bazo, suo amico d'infanzia che guida la rivolta. Ottant'anni dopo, su quello stesso terreno, i discendenti dei personaggi d'allora si scontrano di nuovo: Roland Ballantyne e Carig Mellow, uniti dall'amore per la stessa donna, accantonano le rivalità per combattere, fianco a fianco, i guerriglieri nazionalisti capeggiati da Tungata Zebiwe, Colui-che-cerca-giustizia, il pronipote di Bazo.
551 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
447 people are currently reading
1381 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 109 reviews
January 25, 2012
Exhilarating is the word which comes to my mind after reading this book..Wilbur Smith takes the Ballantyne series further with this third book. In his historically accurate style, Smith chronicles the transformation of Rhodesia into Zimbabwe.This book definitely makes you understand why Zimbabwe got into severe problem 4 years back when the locals started taking everything in their own hand by force...Smith rips your heart out one minute and makes it soars the next. A must read for someone who wants to know more about the the colonial history of Africa.
January 5, 2016
In the third Ballantyne novel, Smith continues with his theme of cultural and racial clashes. As Zouga continues to play a role in the development of Rhodesia and the colonisation of Africa, his son, Ralph, follows in the family tradition, keen on expanding British control of the region and exploitation of its resources. Acting in the Queen's honour, the Ballantyne men work with Cecil Rhodes to tap into the natural resources of the land, this time in the form of gold and coal deposits. However, the Matabele tribe have finally had enough of this and move to strike out against Rhodes and his men, slaughtering many in light of the expansion of railways and telegraph lines. When the Matabele strike within the Ballantyne family, repercussions are significant as the tribesmen are pushed back and killed. It is only when a loose treaty is signed that things become more peaceful for all involved, but this is only a temporary fix. In the novel's second part, Smith pushes the story ahead to 1977, utilising the subsequent generations to depict that the clashes of the late 19th century can and do resurrect themselves. With the Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) gaining strength in the region, white politicians begin to realise that their stronghold in the region is quickly disappearing. Smith also introduces the reader to Craig Mellow, caught in the crossfire and injured. He is a white man of some importance, great-grandson to Ralph Ballantyne, who must make sacrifices to save himself while his homeland is torn apart by racial wars brewing for over one hundred years. Using some of the handwritten journals left by Ralph and Jonathan Ballantyne, Craig has a better understanding of the goings-on and promises to publish a realistic account of their struggles. While somewhat disjointed, the latter portion of the book continues to sow the seeds of resentment in the region that Smith has painted for the entire series to date. An interesting continuation of the series with that same underlying theme that the reader must, by now, know all too well.
Smith does not shy away from the theme of colonial clashes and the racial unrest in the region. While the argument is solid, the use of the two time periods has both positive and negative outcomes. It does show that these clashes between British-backed men like Cecil Rhodes and the Matabele are not a single historical event, but a larger and more complicated issue that played a key role in future issues between the races. However, that the issue remains unresolved does not add any new flavour to the story and the major jump in time leaves the reader feeling somewhat jilted as they try to organise the larger picture of who fits where and with whom. I suppose, since Smith seeks only to use four novels to depict the entire Ballantyne story, he must take freer liberties and therefore cannot use the time to slowly develop the generations, but it is worth noting as he does create new and interesting characters to take the series into its last novel.
Kudos, Mr. Smith for another interesting perspective. I can only hope that the final novel brings the theme home and highlights the political clashes, with traditional Africans finally making their way to positions of power within the governing party.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Smith does not shy away from the theme of colonial clashes and the racial unrest in the region. While the argument is solid, the use of the two time periods has both positive and negative outcomes. It does show that these clashes between British-backed men like Cecil Rhodes and the Matabele are not a single historical event, but a larger and more complicated issue that played a key role in future issues between the races. However, that the issue remains unresolved does not add any new flavour to the story and the major jump in time leaves the reader feeling somewhat jilted as they try to organise the larger picture of who fits where and with whom. I suppose, since Smith seeks only to use four novels to depict the entire Ballantyne story, he must take freer liberties and therefore cannot use the time to slowly develop the generations, but it is worth noting as he does create new and interesting characters to take the series into its last novel.
Kudos, Mr. Smith for another interesting perspective. I can only hope that the final novel brings the theme home and highlights the political clashes, with traditional Africans finally making their way to positions of power within the governing party.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
March 3, 2022
The Angels Weep
This book is filled with historical facts and I was fascinated by reading about the real Cecil Rhodes or Ian Smith.
The first part of the book describes the events right after the ending of Men of Men and is filled with greed and backstabbing.
The story arc of Jordan is disappointing, but Ralph's story is brutal.
The second part of the book is like a dark and brutal redemption of all the injustice described in previous books.
This book is filled with historical facts and I was fascinated by reading about the real Cecil Rhodes or Ian Smith.
The first part of the book describes the events right after the ending of Men of Men and is filled with greed and backstabbing.
The story arc of Jordan is disappointing, but Ralph's story is brutal.
The second part of the book is like a dark and brutal redemption of all the injustice described in previous books.
December 31, 2011
It takes a while to get into this book, but it's worth persisting. When the story unravels its great.
May 1, 2020
When I was in my twenties’ I devoured all Wilbur Smith’s books and loved them. Not sure if I have moved on, or the pace of life in general, but this appeared slow and ponderous. I kept wanting the action to move faster and found the descriptive passages so long I lost track of who was where doing what.
July 23, 2020
"War makes monsters of us all."
This is the dominant theme of the third Ballantyne novel.
The book is, as can be expected, full of twists and turns and rich in atmosphere and adventure. We meet the Umlimo again, follow Ralph on a buffalo hunt and Bazo on a secret path to a secret forge, there is rinderpest, locust plague, a wedding... - never a dull moment with Wilbur Smith.
However, I have to admit that this book was considerably slower than the previous two and took its time to build up a conflict that was more or less set up from the beginning.
What I really like about this book, is that it is very clever in building the readers' sympathies, so you constantly find yourself on a different side. It is heartbreaking to see time and time again how people and their lives, stories and relationships are made irrelevant in the face of a century-old war and how easily the brothers of yesterday see no other choice but to spill the blood of each other's families. What is left in the aftermath are broken people and painful memories.
The second storyline, set almost a century later, I almost abandoned, wondering why we needed it at all. It was dull and I did not care for the characters, beside maybe the old albino Umlimo, who had a nice cameo. However, as the story came to its resolution, I understood and am actually looking forward to reading the next installment.
This is the dominant theme of the third Ballantyne novel.
The book is, as can be expected, full of twists and turns and rich in atmosphere and adventure. We meet the Umlimo again, follow Ralph on a buffalo hunt and Bazo on a secret path to a secret forge, there is rinderpest, locust plague, a wedding... - never a dull moment with Wilbur Smith.
However, I have to admit that this book was considerably slower than the previous two and took its time to build up a conflict that was more or less set up from the beginning.
What I really like about this book, is that it is very clever in building the readers' sympathies, so you constantly find yourself on a different side. It is heartbreaking to see time and time again how people and their lives, stories and relationships are made irrelevant in the face of a century-old war and how easily the brothers of yesterday see no other choice but to spill the blood of each other's families. What is left in the aftermath are broken people and painful memories.
The second storyline, set almost a century later, I almost abandoned, wondering why we needed it at all. It was dull and I did not care for the characters, beside maybe the old albino Umlimo, who had a nice cameo. However, as the story came to its resolution, I understood and am actually looking forward to reading the next installment.
June 3, 2010
Well... You might say I'm hooked on Wilbur Smith. In his historically accurate style, Smith chronicles the transformation of Rhodesia into Zimbabwe. He rips your heart out one minute and makes it soars the next. Having a friend, "Spook" displaced from his land when MuGabe came in power and previously knowing something of his story made this book hard to put down... and even more sad for his loss.
May 11, 2022
Da leggere per continuare la saga dei Ballantyne, ma non raggiunge il livello dei precedenti.
March 6, 2014
Imported from tablet:Ballantyne Angels Weep
Finished 8/5/2012
3.5*
Dropped star value when Part One stopped at the death of
Read By: Jon Cartwright Duration: 22:15
Description: An exciting story of action, adventure and romance. Set in Rhodesia the novel's characters, both black and white, play out their parts in a turmoil of action during which the seeds of hatred and future tragedy are sown.
BALLANTYNE:
4* A Falcon Flies (1980)
4* Men of Men
CR The Angels Weep
The Leopard Hunts in Darkness
The Triumph of the Sun (Ballantyne #5 = Courtney #12)
ANCIENT EGYPT
4* - River God (1993)
4* - The Seventh Scroll (1995)
4* - Warlock (2001)
3* - The Quest (2007)
STAND ALONES:
3* - The Diamond Hunters (1971)
4* - The Sunbird (1972)
3* - Golden Fox (1990)
3* - Birds of Prey (1997)
3* - Blue Horizon (2003)
1* - Those in Peril (2011)
October 8, 2018
This is a very good read. A lot of historical fact well researched and a plot with non-stop action. What sets it apart is the context of Rhodesia which few authors have the time or ability or background to understand. What let's it down is the unrelenting string of massacres and murders that numb you with their intensity. There may well be some historical truth in the events but to string them all together as happening to a single family stretches credibility.
The book recounts the history of Rhodesia in the late 19th century as it was colonised, and then switches two thirds through to the independence struggles of the 60s and 70s linking the main characters via direct descendants. Whilst this works it is a shame that the in-between years are not covered. they may not have been so exciting in terms of violence but the history would have been well worth recounting.
The style is very similar to that of James Clavell but in my opinion not as good. Primarily because the plot is giving precedence over believable characters with well described motivations. Wilbut Smith goes rather for the simplistic and cliched rather than for profundity and complexity.
The book recounts the history of Rhodesia in the late 19th century as it was colonised, and then switches two thirds through to the independence struggles of the 60s and 70s linking the main characters via direct descendants. Whilst this works it is a shame that the in-between years are not covered. they may not have been so exciting in terms of violence but the history would have been well worth recounting.
The style is very similar to that of James Clavell but in my opinion not as good. Primarily because the plot is giving precedence over believable characters with well described motivations. Wilbut Smith goes rather for the simplistic and cliched rather than for profundity and complexity.
Read
July 27, 2011Awesome!! Definitely one of my favourites.
November 19, 2023
4.5 Stars
The Angels Weep is the third book in the Ballantyne series by Wilbur Smith.
Wilbur Smith books were a familiar fixture in our household when I was growing up. As I grew older and went looking for more ‘interesting’ things to read, Mr. Smith was amongst the first ‘adult’ reads that I gravitated to. I read everything he had written up to that point, and then through the years I kept up with each new release. It had been many years since I last read one of his books, but in the past few months have found myself exploring them once more.
This is a powerful, action-packed historical adventure that is both engrossing and dramatic. A memorable read!
Mr. Smith has a great knack for writing a great suspenseful and exciting read, and even though my tastes have evolved as I have gotten older, I still really enjoyed revisiting this book/series.
So if you are a history buff, love a powerful read and want a book that will hold your interest and that you can immerse yourself into- then this may be the book/series for you!
The Angels Weep is the third book in the Ballantyne series by Wilbur Smith.
Wilbur Smith books were a familiar fixture in our household when I was growing up. As I grew older and went looking for more ‘interesting’ things to read, Mr. Smith was amongst the first ‘adult’ reads that I gravitated to. I read everything he had written up to that point, and then through the years I kept up with each new release. It had been many years since I last read one of his books, but in the past few months have found myself exploring them once more.
This is a powerful, action-packed historical adventure that is both engrossing and dramatic. A memorable read!
Mr. Smith has a great knack for writing a great suspenseful and exciting read, and even though my tastes have evolved as I have gotten older, I still really enjoyed revisiting this book/series.
So if you are a history buff, love a powerful read and want a book that will hold your interest and that you can immerse yourself into- then this may be the book/series for you!
November 30, 2024
Harmony rises
Ah ma chi prendo in giro, alla fine lo stile ampolloso, descrittivo il giusto, di Smith mi piace. E passa in secondo piano la monotonia delle grandi feste e dei grandi balli nel bel mezzo di stupri, rapine e saccheggi (ma con moderazione) e grandi cacce con uccisione indiscriminata di centinaia di animali.
Del resto, l'amore la fa da padrone anche in questo romanzo, come ad esempio Elizabeth la sorella di Vicky. Quest'ultima è appena stata assassinata assieme alla figlia non nata dalla lancia di bazo, che la prima già è pronta per Ralph. Ma insomma, ci fa piacere che i massacri proibiti, tipo i bambini trucidati dai proiettili delle Maxim di Ralph, siano appena accennati e non abbiano conseguenza alcuna nella storia. Come gli atti di perversione, ad esempio l'omosessualità di Jordan e di Rhodes.
E infine l'ultima parte in cui ci ripropone il grande classico dell'amore che finisce male (se lo poteva risparmiare, ma in realtà a noi piace) che porta la storia a conclusione negli anni '70. Lei finisce pluriviolentata e lui salta su una mina e vissero felici e mutilitati.
Ah ma chi prendo in giro, alla fine lo stile ampolloso, descrittivo il giusto, di Smith mi piace. E passa in secondo piano la monotonia delle grandi feste e dei grandi balli nel bel mezzo di stupri, rapine e saccheggi (ma con moderazione) e grandi cacce con uccisione indiscriminata di centinaia di animali.
Del resto, l'amore la fa da padrone anche in questo romanzo, come ad esempio Elizabeth la sorella di Vicky. Quest'ultima è appena stata assassinata assieme alla figlia non nata dalla lancia di bazo, che la prima già è pronta per Ralph. Ma insomma, ci fa piacere che i massacri proibiti, tipo i bambini trucidati dai proiettili delle Maxim di Ralph, siano appena accennati e non abbiano conseguenza alcuna nella storia. Come gli atti di perversione, ad esempio l'omosessualità di Jordan e di Rhodes.
E infine l'ultima parte in cui ci ripropone il grande classico dell'amore che finisce male (se lo poteva risparmiare, ma in realtà a noi piace) che porta la storia a conclusione negli anni '70. Lei finisce pluriviolentata e lui salta su una mina e vissero felici e mutilitati.
July 3, 2024
War makes monsters of us all.
Wilbur Smith is among my favorite historical fiction writers. Once you've finished his book, you feel like you have first-hand experience. Smith is downright courageous in his telling of the events pertaining to South Africa. We like to look back and assign good and bad guys. I was astonished at Smith's willingness to assign bad guys and bad guys. He shows how the above quote can be excruciatingly true.
This wasn’t my favorite Wilbur Smith. Second in the series, it's not quite as good as the first. I had trouble staying interested into the third act. Smith fast-forwards to a new set of characters, and it took some time to care about them. Even so, I'll move on to the third book. I'll do so more knowledgeable and sensitive to the history surrounding South Africa.
Wilbur Smith is among my favorite historical fiction writers. Once you've finished his book, you feel like you have first-hand experience. Smith is downright courageous in his telling of the events pertaining to South Africa. We like to look back and assign good and bad guys. I was astonished at Smith's willingness to assign bad guys and bad guys. He shows how the above quote can be excruciatingly true.
This wasn’t my favorite Wilbur Smith. Second in the series, it's not quite as good as the first. I had trouble staying interested into the third act. Smith fast-forwards to a new set of characters, and it took some time to care about them. Even so, I'll move on to the third book. I'll do so more knowledgeable and sensitive to the history surrounding South Africa.
May 30, 2017
Leí esta novela en 1989. No se me olvidó jamás, porque no era mi tipo de lectura habitual en aquellas épocas, generalmente más técnica, incluso cuando eran novelas... fue entonces que unas manos mágicas deslizaron hasta las mías este pedazo de historia, con la intención de mostrarme que habia mucho más... supongo, o algo así... Wilbur Smith es un maestro, indudablemente.
Y ahí quedé entonces, prendado de la familia Ballantyne con el correr de las páginas.
La primera parte de la novela arranca en 1895, la segunda... en 1977.
Ese recurso, en aquel momento, me pareció lo más fantástico del mundo, y amé a Wilbur Smith.
Y ahí quedé entonces, prendado de la familia Ballantyne con el correr de las páginas.
La primera parte de la novela arranca en 1895, la segunda... en 1977.
Ese recurso, en aquel momento, me pareció lo más fantástico del mundo, y amé a Wilbur Smith.
August 9, 2019
I read this book on a flight to Vancouver and back to Ontario. I'd never read any of Wilber Smith's work before and really liked his teaching of the history of South Africa within the context of historical fiction. Apartheid in South Africa happened in my lifetime and, while I was generally aware of the conflict, I really appreciated the depth of Smith's account of life for both sides during those troubled years. Cecil Rhodes was always a positive figure in my (uninformed) assessment, but this book made me reevaluate my opinion. I appreciated the education in the form of a really good story.
September 19, 2019
A bitter tale of the bloody legacy of a conquering nation, and their conquered victims. A cautionary tale of the bloodthirsty need for revenge, self destructive to the utmost, that consumes the victim and perpetrator alike. And certainly a warning about the power of such dark energy to span generations, poisoning the destiny of progeny to continue the bloody work of their ancestors, who are long dead and who cannot approve or criticize their sacrifices and accomplishments. We do see today the toxic fruit of past misdeeds, dormant and thriving, but always strangling us into the dark past. “War makes monsters of us all”.
August 30, 2025
4.5* actually. This is one of the best by Wilbur Smith. It keeps your attention and interest from page 1. It can be violent at times, but then they were violent times in history. The last portion of the book was a bit of a surprise, taking place in 1977.
But it was no less intriguing. As a young man in 1977 I recall a little bit about the war in Rhodesia, but very little about the ideologies or factions involved. News availability was nowhere near what it is today.
I also understand now why institutions/schools named after Cecil Rhodes have since struck the name and been renamed more appropriately.
Again this is one of Wilbur Smith's best i.m.o. and well worht the read.
But it was no less intriguing. As a young man in 1977 I recall a little bit about the war in Rhodesia, but very little about the ideologies or factions involved. News availability was nowhere near what it is today.
I also understand now why institutions/schools named after Cecil Rhodes have since struck the name and been renamed more appropriately.
Again this is one of Wilbur Smith's best i.m.o. and well worht the read.
February 12, 2020
A story set in Africa moving from late 19th century to late 20th century. The story is about subjugation and plunder of a fiercely independent local people by an outside race and their struggle to gain independence. Once the story moves to late 20th century, you realise that this generation of the victors are as much locals as the locals themselves, but they have to fight for their survival. The story depicts the atrocities committed by both sides during this war of Independence, and the worst sufferers are the women and children.
September 9, 2022
It took a while for me to get into this story which is unusual for one of Smith's books. I think that the first 100 pages could have been dropped and then it would have scored higher.
The story started in 1895 and then started again in 1977 and talks about the problems associated with Rhodesia and the desire for power and the bitter fighting between the Matabele and the white population and of course the loves won and lost. The story follows the journey of Craig Mellow and eventually, Dr Janine Carpenter, both severely impacted by the war.
The story started in 1895 and then started again in 1977 and talks about the problems associated with Rhodesia and the desire for power and the bitter fighting between the Matabele and the white population and of course the loves won and lost. The story follows the journey of Craig Mellow and eventually, Dr Janine Carpenter, both severely impacted by the war.
June 26, 2024
As in real history that many of his books are based around, nothing is sacred in this novel. It cannot be put down. The struggle to gain power of Rhodesia is consuming and addictive as you live years through the characters and events. I like the way the author skipped ahead to the next generation who inherited the stories of their forefathers. If you begin to feel any comfort toward the end of the book, don’t. Something is coming and you will not be spared. But hang on to the last two pages. Jesus Mary and Joseph this author is simply the best.
October 25, 2019
Fulfilling climax to this series
WS brings the history of Africa to the reader in a way that no other author does. This story about the year's running up to the birth of Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwe is such a book. By using the fictional Ballantyne family as central to the plot we are taken on a short discourse of the horror of war that dehumanises both black and white and leaves the unanswered question how can we love each other with so much hate in our history.
WS brings the history of Africa to the reader in a way that no other author does. This story about the year's running up to the birth of Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwe is such a book. By using the fictional Ballantyne family as central to the plot we are taken on a short discourse of the horror of war that dehumanises both black and white and leaves the unanswered question how can we love each other with so much hate in our history.
May 27, 2020
A re. read from from the 80s.😎😎
Refreshing read from when I first read it.This was a superb read and well worth enjoying again,I recommend the storyline and didn't remember any of it from years back.Part two of the e-book brought it up to date for the next novel in the 80s I would think,I lived in Zimbabwe through the 80s so I can relate to the country and the goings on,so not all fiction.
Refreshing read from when I first read it.This was a superb read and well worth enjoying again,I recommend the storyline and didn't remember any of it from years back.Part two of the e-book brought it up to date for the next novel in the 80s I would think,I lived in Zimbabwe through the 80s so I can relate to the country and the goings on,so not all fiction.
November 16, 2020
Smith has done it again. The Angels Weep joins When the Lion Feeds and A Time To Die as some of his finest work. This is a novel that is definitely going to stick with me.
Starting as one novel and finishing as another Smith carves another adventurous tale through some of Rhodesia's most bloody and brutal moments until its tragic and brutal demise at the hands of unrelenting violent guerrilla warfare. Your heart will be crushed one minute and built back up the next time and time again!
Starting as one novel and finishing as another Smith carves another adventurous tale through some of Rhodesia's most bloody and brutal moments until its tragic and brutal demise at the hands of unrelenting violent guerrilla warfare. Your heart will be crushed one minute and built back up the next time and time again!
March 16, 2021
I enjoyed the first part of the book as it was a continuation of the earlier novels and the early days of Southern Africa and Cecil Rhodes. The book came to a natural, if abrupt, end of the first part, but I suppose the death of Rhodes was the start of a new chapter. There was then a jump of 80 years to the Rhodesia struggles of the mid '70's. Why could this not have been two shorter books? It made for a difficult transition.
September 26, 2019
Rating 4.5 stars
The Angels Weep by Wilbur Smith is the third book in a trilogy that chronicles the generations of the Ballantyne family, and those who most influenced their paths in life. WS continues with his theme of cultural and racial clashes. It is a story of greed, honor, revolution, love and death, and Smith keeps the reader riveted through it all.
The Angels Weep by Wilbur Smith is the third book in a trilogy that chronicles the generations of the Ballantyne family, and those who most influenced their paths in life. WS continues with his theme of cultural and racial clashes. It is a story of greed, honor, revolution, love and death, and Smith keeps the reader riveted through it all.
June 16, 2020
Cómo siempre es de esperar éste autor te sorprende con giros inesperados. Este libro se podría decir que son dos, ya que narra historias de diferentes generaciones. La primer parte no me enloqueció como todos los libros de mí autor favorito, pero la segunda logró capturar la esencia de África que tanto me atrapa.
March 24, 2022
Odpadłem na drugiej części książki, tej, w której czas akcji zmienia się na lata 70 XX wieku. Z jednej strony jest to zaskakujący zabieg, ale niestety nie zainteresowały mnie postaci i miałem już dość. Męczyłem to przez kilka tygodni, w końcu książka poszła leżakować na półkę i teraz zdałem sobie sprawę z tego, że nie mam ochoty tego czytać. W ogóle nie lubię sagi Ballantyne'ów.
December 11, 2024
I've been reading a LOT of Wilbur Smith books lately...he has always been my favorite author and my inspiration. Recently, one was a re-read and it was just a good the second time around. "The Angels Weep" was another 5 Star read. I highly recommend this book. Action, adventure, exotic locals, etc. Bravo to Mr. Smith, may he rest in peace.
April 29, 2020
My 1st ever Wilbur Smith book and I gotta day mighty impressed with the epicness of the theme and story. This book is 3rd in a series of 4 books. Mightily engaging and gets you hooked with the drama and suspense from start to end. Rating: 4.5/5 #MaaniBookReview
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