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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Wilbur Smith is one of those names you see taking up three to four shelves in used bookstores, with weathered spines and yellowed pages. Jeffrey Archer is another one.
I only bother to mention Jeffrey Archer because I found these two to be very similar in writing styles as well. The fact that the only books I've read by these fellas have been their first may be the reason this is so.
When the Lion Feeds is something I needed at the time (and what do you know, this is exactly how I started my review for Archer's Kane and Abel), and that is simply a good story. You know, just a good story as if someone were to stop you on the street and tell you what happened. For 30 hours or so...
Anyways, what I'm getting at is that like Archer, it's a rather thinly told story for the most part. There isn't a whole lot of ink spent on lavish descriptions or overly complex characterization. Rather you're focused on things that are happening in the here and now (and, thankfully, he totally glossed over any battle details when the time came. I HATE reading battle scenes!).
Smith did pleasantly surprise me a few times with his characters, though. It didn't happen a lot, but when it did I could see a lot of potential to come with subsequent novels. He also surprised me nicely with some of the turns the plot took.
This is very good storytelling. It was recommended by a friend who has read the entire Courtney series, and when I bought it at the used book store, the guy there told me "Oh, I loved that series years ago!".
So, I'm giving this one a firm 3.5 stars, with the assurance of a good series to fall back on when I just need a good story.
It's also worth noting that this is the first time ever that reading about 1880s stock exchange action got my heart racing. Very nice!
I only bother to mention Jeffrey Archer because I found these two to be very similar in writing styles as well. The fact that the only books I've read by these fellas have been their first may be the reason this is so.
When the Lion Feeds is something I needed at the time (and what do you know, this is exactly how I started my review for Archer's Kane and Abel), and that is simply a good story. You know, just a good story as if someone were to stop you on the street and tell you what happened. For 30 hours or so...
Anyways, what I'm getting at is that like Archer, it's a rather thinly told story for the most part. There isn't a whole lot of ink spent on lavish descriptions or overly complex characterization. Rather you're focused on things that are happening in the here and now (and, thankfully, he totally glossed over any battle details when the time came. I HATE reading battle scenes!).
Smith did pleasantly surprise me a few times with his characters, though. It didn't happen a lot, but when it did I could see a lot of potential to come with subsequent novels. He also surprised me nicely with some of the turns the plot took.
This is very good storytelling. It was recommended by a friend who has read the entire Courtney series, and when I bought it at the used book store, the guy there told me "Oh, I loved that series years ago!".
So, I'm giving this one a firm 3.5 stars, with the assurance of a good series to fall back on when I just need a good story.
It's also worth noting that this is the first time ever that reading about 1880s stock exchange action got my heart racing. Very nice!
It just keeps going. You think this guy can’t take much more. Then you start a new chapter. I really loved how it was written and the fact that it reminds me of home.
It's hard to say if I like this book or not. The main problem i suppose is that i read several unannounced spoilers in reviews that really spoiled it for me. However I will say this, it's a very sad read. If you want a happy ending, stay well away.
The writing style is quick and often to the point and you can tell Smith wrote this with mainly a South African Audience by his lack of detail. Personally I will not be reading any more of his works but I never thought this work would hook me as I've glance through his other books and they just weren't my thing, It was nice to rad a supposed classic though, even if it has left me feeling empty inside.
The writing style is quick and often to the point and you can tell Smith wrote this with mainly a South African Audience by his lack of detail. Personally I will not be reading any more of his works but I never thought this work would hook me as I've glance through his other books and they just weren't my thing, It was nice to rad a supposed classic though, even if it has left me feeling empty inside.
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Sweeping historical set in 19th century Africa. Lots of action and adventure. A real old time page turner.
Anyone else live for a well-executed long book? THAT is When the Lion Feeds.
Since this isn’t one that flies around on the bookish internet often, here is a quick summary. When the Lion Feeds is set in 1860 South Africa and follows the story of The Courtney family -- focusing primarily on the adventurous son and brother, Sean Courtney, and his early life.
Wilbur Smith is a gifted storyteller. I became immersed in the story in many ways; he painted a picture of the setting so detailed and realistic I could visualize it (like Where the Crawdads Sing!) as well as a portrait of each of the flawed characters.
Getting to know Sean and his crew throughout the book was my favorite — there were moments where I couldn't stand him, others where I deeply empathized with him, and even others where I was rooting for him.
I didn’t want this one to end and I am definitely adding more Wilbur Smith books to my list going forward!
Since this isn’t one that flies around on the bookish internet often, here is a quick summary. When the Lion Feeds is set in 1860 South Africa and follows the story of The Courtney family -- focusing primarily on the adventurous son and brother, Sean Courtney, and his early life.
Wilbur Smith is a gifted storyteller. I became immersed in the story in many ways; he painted a picture of the setting so detailed and realistic I could visualize it (like Where the Crawdads Sing!) as well as a portrait of each of the flawed characters.
Getting to know Sean and his crew throughout the book was my favorite — there were moments where I couldn't stand him, others where I deeply empathized with him, and even others where I was rooting for him.
I didn’t want this one to end and I am definitely adding more Wilbur Smith books to my list going forward!
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
