Monsoon - Wilbur Smith

...am too tempted to read Monsoon for a 3rd time!!). The type of books I normally read are Sci-Fi (usually Isaac Asimov or Arthur C. Clarke) and occasionally other adventure / fiction. I prefer longer books where the story can be much deeper and more full (nearly 1000 pages is only just enough when you get into Monsoon). THE BOOK ========= So it's almost 1000 pages long - don't let that worry you if you don't normally read long books, it's packed ...
...17th to the 20th Century. Monsoon is part of the 17th-18th Century section and is only preceded by one other book, Birds of Prey (one of the books I have just ordered to continue my reading). There are a few references to prior events that I presume are covered in Birds of Prey, but Monsoon can be read and enjoyed fully on its own (as I read it) since any background is filled in as the story progresses. THE PLOT ========= The plot revolves around ...

blue.summer.sky 04.03.2005 · Read full review
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Review of Monsoon - Wilbur Smith

~ ~ As a teenager I remember devouring the novels of author Wilbur Smith and his chronicles of the adventuresome and ambitious Courtney family throughout the different generations as they battled and schemed to establish their commercial empire in Africa. Books such as “When the Lion Feeds” and “The Sound Of Thunder” were true epics set in the Dark Continent, and enthralled and captivated my young imagination. ~ ~ But I ...
...wasn’t an author I would rush to when perusing the shelves of a bookshop. But while in holiday in Tuscany last summer, I ran out of reading material, and one afternoon by the pool a fellow guest offered me a book by Smith called “Birds of Prey”. Needs must, and I started to read, although without too much enthusiasm. ~ ~ What a revelation. Not only did I devour the nearly 600 page novel in about two days, I then started to scour ...

the_mad_cabbie 15.03.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Monsoon - Wilbur Smith

I've read almost all of Wilbur Smith's books now and after the exhausting task of finishing each one, I have to go and find the next (Anywhere dammit - bins, bookstores, charity shops - I don't care!!!!) Monsoon, set in the dawn of the eighteenth Century (another episode of the Courtney family - set about 25 years after “Birds of Prey” left off) is an enchanting tale of a family torn apart through each other’s differences. The ...
...on the high seas and after four years away from service, master mariner Sir Hal Courtney prepares for what will be his most dangerous voyage yet - a life or death mission in the name of Empire… His sons (William - Black Billy to the other brothers, the determined bully of the boys, Guy and Tom - twins a few years younger, and Dorrie, the baby of the bunch) are led by foolish bravado (as always) and sexual escapades through puberty and into ...

pookypop 15.02.2001 (15.06.2001) · Read full review
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Review of Monsoon - Wilbur Smith

...Where I came across Monsoon by Wilbur Smith. I had seen his books advertised and taken no interest whatsoever in them. I picked the book up and whilst reading the back the sheer weight and thickness of the book itself put me off a bit. What the heck at £1.50 that was all I had to lose. I will admit that I did read the first chapter twice as I couldn't get into it that well. Well, after the first chapter or so I was there with the Courtney's feeling, ...
...Smith was born in Central Africa in 1933. He became a full time writer in 1964 and has since had around 30 novels published. He owns a farm and game reserve and has an abiding concern for the people and wildlife of his native continent, an interest strongly reflected in his novels. The story is set in the 18th century. East India is the location. The Courtney families destiny is shaped by action, romance and adventure and you can't help living ...

jymwal 27.11.2002 · Read full review
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Review of Monsoon - Wilbur Smith

...on to the book….. Monsoon continues on from its predecessor (Birds of Prey) and yet again the Courtney family make up the main cast of central characters. They are presented as one of the great seafaring families of English society making their fortune by raiding the shipping routes of their country’s enemies under letters of marque (basically a licence for piracy) and by trade. The book concentrates on the adventures of two of the ...
...attention to detail. Wilbur Smith’s love for his native continent shines through in every one of his stories and yet again Monsoon is no exception. As a result I would highly recommend this book to anybody likes a good adventure story. Read it - you will not be disappointed. ...

Guzman 27.05.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Monsoon - Wilbur Smith

...Where do I buy? Monsoon is available from any good book seller; I'd suggest Waterstones, EBay or the likes of Amazon. The book is Price in the region of £6.99, which is a fraction of its true value. Please even if you found this review useless, please read this book it is spectacular! ...

jason_207 15.06.2006 · Read full review
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Review of Monsoon - Wilbur Smith

He has done it again! Once more Wilbur Smith is giving us value for money. He has written an amazing adventure about the very start of the Courteneys in Africa. It dates back to the 1400's and it is as always well done. We can follow the familiy all the way from England, and onto the seven seas, where they have to fight to save their lives. it is definately a classic Wilbur Smith book, and except for the age it is from, it is not very different from ...

elisae 28.08.2000 · Read full review
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Review of Monsoon - Wilbur Smith

...circle the globe in search of their destiny. I have just read the follow up to " Monsoon " called " Blue Horizon " which again is a must. To anyone who loves books packed with adventure and a good storyline then " Monsoon " is the one for you. ...

MRTONY 08.10.2003 · Read full review
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Review of Monsoon - Wilbur Smith

I started reading Monsoon in the thrid week of August and the near 1000 pages kept me busy for two weeks solid. The storylines are so gripping that you can hardly put it down - in my case only to go to school, to sleep and eat. Wilbur Smith uses words to keep you entertained for hours. The book centers around a family of a father and three boys who go on a journey round the southern africa coast and encounter all sorts of troubles. At the end the ...

veryhairymonkey 09.02.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Monsoon - Wilbur Smith

...somewhat dissapointed to discover that Monsoon was a historcial seafaring story with plenty of bloodthirsty pirates. This however did not last long. Monsoon is, without a doubt, am excellent must read for this summer. A huge book at mearly a thousand pages, this is something to get your teeth into on the beach this summer. Following the piratical career of Hal Courtney and his two sons, this is the epic story of their journeys into the Africas. The ...
...seventeenth century England. This was a time when you gladly died for King and country and were more respected the harder you died. Read of the heros as they search for the eternal prize - the booty taken from a pirate or company ship that will set them up with enough money to become an English country squire. And read of the villains who will do anything they can to hinder the lives of the infidels. The book is so well written, with long descriptions ...

louisa 10.07.2000 · Read full review
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Review of Monsoon - Wilbur Smith

Having read River God and its sequel the seventh Scroll, I was expecting more historically based fiction from Ethiopia and Egypt, However, Smith never fails to suprise and entrall with his dashing descriptions of piracy on the pacific ocean. If you are going on holiday this year, or if you just enjoy a good read, then I can thoroughly recommend this book. Smith manages to paint the most delicious pictures in your mind. It is the sort of book that ...

pils 01.12.2000 · Read full review
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Review of Monsoon - Wilbur Smith

Monsoon is another masterpiece by Wilbur Smith. He takes us back to the very beginning of the Courtney family story in Devon. As you read this book you feel that time is passing you by as the speed of the action in this adventured appears to accelerate. I found that I did not want to put the book down and I pretended that I was unable to sleep so that I could continue to read. I like the way that Wilbur Smith combines a story with history. The adventure ...

Leebee1 26.07.2003 · Read full review
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Review of Monsoon - Wilbur Smith

I read my first Wilbur Smith novel a year ago when my dad made me because I didn't read enough and i was hooked. The first book i read was "The Sound of Thunder". It was brilliant, i know this cliche is used a lot but i couldn't put it down at times. his stories have everything action, adventure, a love interest and it is always set in an important time in history so is really interesting history wise. I have only read 4 and i couldn't tell you ...

fhrgill2 29.05.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Monsoon - Wilbur Smith