Customer Reviews

The Leopard Hunts in Darkness

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The young country of Zimbabwe, created out of the ashes of "white" Rhodesia after the spilling of blood over a decade-long civil war, struggles to survive the inter-tribal clashes between Shona and Matabele that threaten to doom the country to another bout of civil war. The struggle is personified in two government ministers and heros of the war, General Fungabara and Tungata Zebiwe aka Sam Kumalo, scion of the Matabele royal line. Into the mix is thrown Craig Mellow, Rhodesian ex-pat and best-selling author returned to claim his family patrimony and return from New York to the land he loves best. The story progresses with an adrenaline pace where things are not as they first appear. Hundred year old legends and actions make an effect on current events as the tribes struggle for domination and liberation with Cold War implications. Only the male-female relationship between Craig and Sally Mae (or whatever) is entirely unconvincing keeping me from giving it five stars.

This has been one of the closest accounts as to how life was in Zimbabwe. It says alot more to the reader if you read between the lines, especially if you have lived there. It is such a pity that the book was banned in our country, obviously too close to the truth on certain issues.

Once again, Wilbur Smith shows his amazing gift.

Even for those who were not born in Africa could smell the scent of it in the air, feel the deep passion Wilbur has toward his homeland, and the wildlife that he always loved. This book and another masterpiece of Smith's work: Elephant Song, are both among my favorites.

Author, Wilbur Smith really shows his love for Africa through his character, Craig Mellows. In this story he shows it's rich history; sometimes sad, but always exciting. This story is full of twists and turns and a lot of action which is only interrupted by the author's rich explanation of the area's history. The harshness of some of it's people are still seen in the headlines today and these battles still continue and brings this story very strongly to the present. I just ordered the first three books in this Ballantyne Series and look forward to reading them, fore Wilbur Smith is a great historical novelist.

Wilbur Smith is an outstanding author.....I have ordered all of his 31 books, and love them all. I usually read true crime books, but I've gotten hooked on his books. He writes amazing story lines and keeps you hanging on every one. Two of my friends have also become addicted and we can't wait for his next one.

I have read.in the processing of reading W. Smith's books and love them. Actually have purchased all his books but have not read all of them as yest.

This is the last in the ballyntine series and I am sorry that it is over....Wilbur Smith is awesome....Read them in order and they just get better and better....

Incredible!!!! I loved the book. It has great suspences and it keeps you reading at all times.

This is the very firts Smith novel I read and it has made me look for more of his writings.

This book starts in America and ends in a war turn country Zimbabwe. In my thought it teaches the lesson of long lasting friendships which are forged by steel bonds. It tells of betrayal and what the human spirit is able to achive when faced with life and dealth situations. It has a fast pace from start to finish with all the neccesary pause for breath calculated to the last degree. Immegine you have go overseas to study and on your return to find the land (your home), changed by the conflict of men and his politics, place your self in that point and think about it real hard.

If a writer is talented and good enough, and if he is also a little lucky as well, then he or she and get the reader to clearly see and feel the storyline in the mind's eye with all of the human drama, action, color, and depth that was carefully meant to be there. Wilbur Smith does just that and more painting grand and sweeping African canvases and getting the rest of us touring along the exhibits.
Yeah, I'm a big fan of his writings and this one in the Ballantyne series is another great story or should I say, stories, because Smith always has several lines going with each book that neatly and comfortably tie together.
As some have suggested in their own reviews here Smith's fictional characters are always thrust into the historical drama of Africa (in at least three centuries!) going over the politics, prejudices, economics,and wonderful strengths and human weaknesses of all of those involved. Better yet, he gives us strong characters that we feel we come to know, at times like, or maybe even shake our heads at, or genuinely fear, and again, he paints a broad canvas with enough minute detail and artistic color to get us 'seeing' it as well.
Smith is an African who loves his homeland enough to take us on a guided tour through often troubled tales and with fiction impresses and educates those of us with only a surface understanding.
I see you too, Wilbur Smith and you are a man of men.