Product Description

It is the 1870s and twin brothers Sean and Garrick Courtney are born into the wilds of Natal. They could not be more different, and fate, war and the jealous schemes of a woman are to drive them even further apart. But as history unfolds, a continent is awakening. And on the horizon is the promise of fortune, adventure, destiny and love . . .

‘The world’s leading adventure writer’

Daily Express

‘The pace would do credit to a Porsche, and the invention is as bright and explosive as a fireworks display’

Sunday Telegraph

‘ . . . action follows action . . . mystery is piled on mystery . . . tales to delight the millions of addicts of the gutsy adventure story’

Sunday Express

‘ . . . a natural storyteller who moves confidently and often splendidly in his period and sustains a flow of convincing incident’

The Scotsman

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6388 in Books
• Published on: 2009-04-03
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 600 pages

About the Author

Wilbur Smith was born in Central Africa in 1933. He was educated at Michaelhouse and Rhodes University. He became a full-time writer in 1964 after the successful publication of When the Lion Feeds, and has since written over thirty novels, all meticulously researched on his numerous expeditions worldwide. His books are now translated into twenty-six languages.

Customer Reviews

Brillent
This is a great book. When i was reading it I could imagine home again, Wilbur describes south africa to the T. The story line is great with unexpected turns in the tale. It is set in the late 1800's in natal south africa. It is about a family that deals with death and war. The book even gives details into how johannesburg was created. You dont have to be south african to understand this book because Wilbur explains everything and you will soon be wanting to go there. Read this book and all the related stories to this book, trust me.

Nothing short of sensational.
The first ever novel Wilber wrote, and the first Wilber book I have read. Recommended to me by my father I had doubts since I have never been one for adventure novels. This book has now changed everything. Normally i'm a slow reader, however, I finished 'When the lion feeds' in just 3 days. Putting the book down was simply not an option. As far as page turners go, this takes some beating!

Smith seems to have the ability to suck you into the story and as events unfold, you are drawn deeply to the characters involved. Split into 3 main parts, the story of Sean Courtney is one of courage and daring. The first section follows Sean and his brother Garrick as young boys. I thought it couldn't get any better...until I read the second section of the book where Sean meets 'Duff' who has to be one of the most incredible characters i've read about. When I came to the end of the second section, I was breathless. The third and final section of 'When the lion feeds' continues in the same vain and finishes with one of the most shocking and emotional endings you could imagine.

Possibly the best book i've ever read. Absolutely brilliant. Bring on the next tale in the Sean Courtney trilogy 'The sound of thunder'.

A rollercoaster from first page to last
The book that hooked me on Wilbur Smith as well. Set in mid to late 19th Century South Africa, Smith's vivid descriptions of climate, country and people (both black and white) build a picture in the mind's eye that are as real as they are enduring. Many years after first reading it I can still pick it up, open it at any page and read contentedly for several hours. The sequel, The Sound of Thunder, is equally compelling.