When the Lion Feeds

Rating:
Summary: Wilbur's Best Book
Review: Also surprised at the lack of response. This was the first book of his I read, and coincidentally the first book he wrote. I read quite a few since then. Most were good. This one is still the best. A larger than life adventure.

Rating:
Summary: Wild Africa.................
Review: Find it absolutely incredible that so few people have reviewed this excellent work ! Smith's first novel is a magnificent saga of 1880's South Africa. The Courtenays brothers, Sean and Gary, are two farm boys whose close relationship is shattered by a hunting accident that wedges between them an animosity and life-long rivalry. The story line is strong and absorbing : love, adventure and history, a man's book that women would find well worth a read. The book is the first of a brilliant trilogy. Do yourself a favour and read them.

Rating:
Summary: love wilbur smith
Review: great books, when the lion feeds, the sound of thunder and a sparrow falls.....

Rating:
Summary: 1984 Reprint
Review: Other reviews accurately describe this outstanding, action packed
novel by Wilbur Smith. However Amazon.com persists is notifying
readers by email that this is a new, year 2000, novel by Wilbur Smith.
It is not. "When the Lion Feeds," was first published in
1964 in USA and has been reprinted several times since. If you have
not yet read the book, it is a first class read, buy it....



Rating:
Summary: The story of Sean Courtney, the original "Great White Hunter
Review: The first book in Wilbur Smith's compelling saga of the Courtney family. It starts with the adventures of Sean Courtney, the original "Great White Hunter" in early Africa. Somewhat of a vagabond, we follow this irrisistable character through his journeys of self discovery, and his founding of what will later become the Courtney Dynasty. The sibling rivalry that starts as a tragic accident, becomes a heartwrenching legacy for future generations. The conflict between two brothers echoes the conflict between English and Afrikaans, between Black and White, between Hunter and Hunted, between Weak and Strong. It is a metaphor for the tragedy and lost love of Africa Herself. Its is the cornerstone of Wilbur Smith's writing, and makes every future publication all the more compelling and unique. Every element of a truly great novel is present, and after reading it you are bound to become a lifelong fan. Wilbur Smith is one of the greatest writers on the African condition. .Each new publication is eagerly awaited by his fans, and a Best Seller even before the first copy is sold.

Rating:
Summary: Smiths first and still one of his best.....
Review: This is was the first novel Wilbur Smith published and it begins the Courtney saga with a bang....almost literally. Disimiliar twins Sean and Garrick are hunting when an accidental shot from Sean cost Garrick one of his legs and then builds from there....The Zulu War, the opening of the gold fields of South Africa, building (and losing...) financial empires all sprawled across the vast canvas of Africa and Smith's love of the "Dark Continent" shows on nearly every page...Any book by Wilbur Smith is worth reading, it would truly be a crime to miss this one....

Rating:
Summary: The dark mysterious continent
Review: When the Lion Feeds was truely a thrilling and realistic book. I grew up in South Africa and when I want to remember I read the wonderful stories Wilbur Smith has written. I have grown very fond of the Courtney Saga. Each character draws me into all the excitement that Africa has to offer. Sean Courtney who is the hero in this novel starts an historical journey through the African Bush. Almost all of Wilbur Smith's books show the beauty and mysteries that the the dark continent has to offer. When reading this novel I remember what it is like to appreciate such a marvelous landscape with all its treasures. Great reading filled with history and excitement.

Rating:
Summary: Adventure, fun, and drama in Africa
Review: When the young Courteney brothers sneak off into the fields surrounding their house to experiment with the forbidden gun, Sean accidentally shoots his brother Garrick's leg, which results in its amputation. This is the foundation for their shaky relationship and which affects their children in succeeding Courteney family books.

Sean forever after feels guilty and tries to take protective responsibility for his brother, but Garrick, always feeling like the loser, develops bitterness towards Sean. When Sean rejects the advances of Garrick's wife, in retaliation she tells Garrick that Sean forced himself upon her, and Garrick's hatred is cemented.

Sean abandons his brother and his home to seek other adventures. He develops friends and jealous enemies during his business ventures in gold mining. He becomes wealthy, but after losing it all, takes to the bush with his best friend, where they encounter danger with nature. Sean experiences it all: savage battle, wealth, poverty, danger, victory, injustice, sickness, romance, profound love and profound sadness. He pushes himself through all his adventures with fortitude, wit and charm. He's as sly as a fox and as gentle as a lamb.

After reading this book, I was hooked on Wilbur Smith, and went on to read the next two books: The Sound of Thunder, and A Sparrow Falls, which continue the Courteney saga. There are others in the series which I plan to get soon. I feel confident I won't be disappointed!

Rating:
Summary: The dark mysterious continent
Review: Wilbur Smith is an incredible historical fiction writer. I have read most of his books this summer, leaping from one to the next. I read all I could buy, then I used the library system to get more including this book: When the Lion Feeds. I knew about the Courtney brothers from other books, but never knew the details of their young lives and experiences until this one. I frankly feel like I am part of the family. From the generations that go back to the 17th century to the current time in South Africa or England, Wilbur brings together intrigue with this family and others (such as Ballintyne {sp})with social issues of the Black, Brown and white folks of Africa. I am his greatest fan. Why is my review lower for this book? Only that it is his first and he is so much better the more he writes. I encourage others to read him; you will be delighted!

Rating:
Summary: When the Lion Feeds
Review: Wilbur Smith is an incredible historical fiction writer. I have read most of his books this summer, leaping from one to the next. I read all I could buy, then I used the library system to get more including this book: When the Lion Feeds. I knew about the Courtney brothers from other books, but never knew the details of their young lives and experiences until this one. I frankly feel like I am part of the family. From the generations that go back to the 17th century to the current time in South Africa or England, Wilbur brings together intrigue with this family and others (such as Ballintyne {sp})with social issues of the Black, Brown and white folks of Africa. I am his greatest fan. Why is my review lower for this book? Only that it is his first and he is so much better the more he writes. I encourage others to read him; you will be delighted!