When the Lion Feeds: A Courtney Family Novel

I was given this book in October 1975 by a friend who said, "Join me in a love of adventure, history and characters that become part of your very existence." I couldn't resist the challenge. I was drawn into the book and was immediately transported into another life. This book has everything. If you never read another author, you will be captivated with all Wilbur Smith books once you have read this one. I was. I have now read every one of his works, at least ten times each. I get through the whole collection and a year later, find myself returning to them again. Now I buy them as presents for the un-initiated.

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.

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....

Find it absolutely incredible that so few people have reviewed this excellent work ! Smith's first novel is a magnificent saga of 1880's South Africa. The Courtenays brothers, Sean and Gary, are two farm boys whose close relationship is shattered by a hunting accident that wedges between them an animosity and life-long rivalry. The story line is strong and absorbing : love, adventure and history, a man's book that women would find well worth a read. The book is the first of a brilliant trilogy. Do yourself a favour and read them.