When the Lion Feeds [Hardcover]

Wilbur A. Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2000 | ISBN-10: 1567231330 | ISBN-13: 978-1567231335

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".

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Only a handful of 20th century writers tantalize our senses as well as Smith...a rare author who wields a razor-sharp sword of craftsmanship."
--"Tulsa"" World""" TRIUMPH OF THE SUN
""Triumph of the Sun" is everything [Smith's] fans have come to expect: masterful storytelling and breathtaking adventure...chalk up another winner."--"Times Record News" (Wichita Falls, TX)
"Espionage, disguise, stabbings in the dark...a story that is--like the Nile itself--swift and powerful... fans will not be disappointed."--"Booklist"
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"Nobody does it better."--"Kirkus Reviews"
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"Wildly entertaining, compulsively readable."--Sunday Telegraph (UK)
BLUE HORIZON
"The eleventh volume in Smith's saga of the Courtney clan is every bit as riveting as its predecessors. Brimming with bravado, greed, and romance."--"Booklist"
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"Really big retro-fun."--"Kirkus Reviews"
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"A swashbuckling, brawling, sprawling historical epic. Rich, exciting, and fascinating."--"Library Journal"
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"Adventure and danger at every turn."--"New York"" Daily News"
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"Gripping. The writer's fans will enjoy the ride."--"Publishers Weekly"
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"Master storyteller Smith takes his story into another generation of adventurers battling on the sea and on land in the settling of South Africa."--"Tulsa"" World"
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"Everything Smith's fans have come to expect from his epic adventure novels. His consummate skill at crafting vast battle scenes, passionate and wildly romantic characters, cruel and bloodthirsty villains, and larger-than-life heroes make "Blue Horizon" irresistible."--"Journal "(Flint, MI)
WARLOCK"When it comes to historical fiction, Smith iswithout rival. He is a warlock of writers."--"Tulsa"" World"
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"Filled with enough action, adventure, battles, betrayals, and actual cliffhangers to satisfy Indiana Jones, Wilbur Smith's new novel "Warlock "is a rousing and worthy sequel to "River God,""
--"The Plain Dealer"
"Seamlessly composed, this epic historical drama by veteran author Smith tracks a power struggle in ancient Egypt between false pharaohs and a true royal heir, evoking the cruel glories and terrible torments of the era. Those willing to brave the blood and gore will be carried away by the sweep and pace of Smith's tale."-"Publishers Weekly"
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"Each time I read a new Wilbur Smith I say it is the best book I have ever read--until the next one. It's the same with "Warlock," Brilliant...irresistible and impossible to put down."
--"Times Record News "(Wichita Falls, TX)
"Those of you familiar with Smith's writing...can expect more of his signature brand of pulse-pounding, "Perils of Pauline"--style of adventure and excitement, with more blood and guts than a slaughterhouse."--"Tampa"" Tribune Times"
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"This summer's most entertaining read...another full-blown tale of war, intrigue, murder, lust, and true love set in ancient Egypt [this] is really the book Taita fans have been waiting for."--"Flint"" Journal"
"Smith is at the top of his game in weaving exotic adventures in this work. Very highly recommended."--"Library Journal"
"Smith...returns to the genre with this epic action tale of intrigue, suspense, and adventure set in ancient Egypt. His many fans will be clamoring for copies of this one."--"Booklist"
"A stirring tale, full of chariot battles...Smith haswhipped up a heady brew...and undoubtedly deserves his immense popularity far more than most of his rivals."--"Evening Standard" (UK)
"You can almost feel the heat and taste the dust as the narrative builds to a cracking pace...["Warlock"] is a ripping yarn and a classic adventure story."--"Irish News"
RIVER GOD"A grand tale of intrigue, deception, true love and exile."--"The ""Denver"" Post"
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"Vivid and fascinating...packed with passion, war, intrigue and revenge...sprawling and absorbing...gripping.... A racy rampage through ancient Egypt that puts the reader right there with details that are intimate, inspiring, horrifying....The author makes you see it, hear it--even smell it...Fans will be happy to know Smith hasn't lost his touch for the dramatic, exotic adventure story."--"The ""Orlando"" Sentinel"
"A page-turner...few novelists can write action scenes that all but leap off the page the way Smith can...his detailed portrait of ancient Egypt is fascinating."--"Anniston"" Star" (TX)
"Smith tackles the elevated literary fields of ancient Egypt, and comes up with a full-blooded epic."
--"The ""London"" Times"
"Like a good action movie, the book ends with a show-down between the good guys and bad guys on the battlefield...well-written and entertaining."--"Lexington"" Herald-Leader" (KY)
"Compulsively readable...contains intrigue, romance, greed, cruelty, and furious action...rewarding and satisfying."--"El Paso"" Herald-Post" (TX)
"An epic...Smith joins the ranks of one of the grand masters of twentieth-century novels."--"Tulsa"" World"
"An epic novel of ancient Egypt, a great adventure with all the right ingredients: victories anddefeats, secrets and revelations, life and death, reverence and godlessness, hate and love"--"The Des Moines Register"
"It's clear Smith knows his subject: his graphic depiction of lust, bloodletting, politics, and, in Taita's case, honor is firmly grounded in rich details that evoke the period.""--Booklist"
"["River God"] gallops swiftly through the action and flying blood his fans have come to relish...Brightly colored, sweeping escapism."--"Kirkus Reviews"
MONSOON"[Smith] paces his tale as swiftly as he can with swordplay aplenty and killing strokes that come like lightning out of a sunny blue sky."-"Kirkus Reviews"
"[A] non-stop thriller that takes readers on a magical tour...this is what makes a Smith book worth reading."-"Midwest"" Book Review"
"Only a handful of 20th century writers tantalize our senses as well as Smith...a rare author who wields a razor-sharp sword of craftsmanship."-"Tulsa"" World"
"A wild adventure...brought flawlessly to life through realistic sword fights and sea battles, vivid stories of pirates...breathtaking."-"Times Record News"
"A masterful tale of action and suspense.... A smooth blend of adventure and romance, the novel is an atmospheric trip through the fierce mysteries of the Dark Continent and the Arabian seas."--"Publishers Weekly"
"Smith offers plenty of battles and harrowing escapes for adventure fans."--"Library Journal"
BIRDS OF PREY"Smith's novel is far more than your typical pirate script...A fascinating account...Smith deftly evokes not only the horrific but also the beautiful, particularly the lush landscape of Africa."--"The ""Washington"" Post Book World"
"As usual, Smith...peoples his tale with unforgettable characters...swashbuckling and sensuous, "Birds of Prey" is not for the faint-hearted. Its bloodiest scenes are vivid and detailed--and so are hero Hal's romantic encounters. But, as with Smith's previous two best sellers, "River God" and "The Seventh Scroll," this latest epic transcends the average action-adventure yarn."--"The ""Orlando"" Sentinel"
""Birds of Prey" is a wonderful novel filled with excitement, pirates, and vivid sea battles...In short, it is vintage Wilbur Smith."--"Times Record News" (Wichita Falls, TX) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From the Publisher

13 1.5-hour cassettes --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Yestermorrow Inc (August 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1567231330
• ISBN-13: 978-1567231335
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,872,652 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.