When the Lion Feeds [Hardcover]

Wilbur Smith (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 459 pages
• Publisher: Heinemann; First American Edition edition (1964)
• ISBN-10: 033047314X
• ISBN-13: 978-0330473149
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,093,485 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Wilbur Smith was born in Central Africa in 1933. He was educated at Michaelhouse and Rhodes University. After the successful publication of WHEN THE LION FEEDS in 1964 he became a full-time writer, and has since written 30 novels, all meticulously researched on his numerous expeditions worldwide. His books have been translated into twenty-six different languages

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Adventure, fun, and drama in Africa, March 16, 2002

By 

S. Brand "sandra807" (United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: When the Lion Feeds (Paperback)

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!

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Smiths first and still one of his best....., April 25, 2000

By 

goodoldmac "goodoldmac" (Charlotte, North Carolina United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When the Lion Feeds (Paperback)

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....

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The dark mysterious continent, May 14, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: When the Lion Feeds (Paperback)

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.