Read Wilbur Smith for historical action set in Africa, usually with a strong dose of Empire. But don’t expect anything filling, or you’ll be disappointed. The man has written 30 “Epic African Adventures” according to his website. I’ve read several in the past, but hard to remember which, given the titles and subject matter. The Triumph of the Sun was an airport pickup. First two-thirds lived up to my expectations, but the last third dwindled.
Stick with the Courtney novels if you want to start somewhere with Smith.
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1 clock — watching time, the only true currency » » Book: Gold Mine // Oct 13, 2006 at 9:25 pm
[...] I bought Gold Mine for a bus ride home last week, and it barely lasted longer than that. Yes, another Wilbur Smith book (my previous mention), although this one is (for him) practically a short story, at only 263 pages. Only now am I noticing that this one was originally written in 1970, making it one of his earlier novels. It’s not particularly good, but it fits his pattern of historical fiction set in Africa, with heroic, roguish men winning business battles (and other kinds) at the less-than-genteel edge of civilization. This one is set in and around a gold mine (surprise!). [...]
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