The Wilbur Smith Discussion Forums

I have just read Assegai and am delighted to have my faith in WS's writings restored. The last book which I read, "Quest", was to my mind, far too imaginative and unbelievable. I have read all of WS's books many times over, especially the early ones. Assegai is once again set in old Africa and besides for the 'errors' remarked on in another topic section of this forum, makes for unputdownable reading. Did WS Smith write this alone or did he have an assistant? I ask this because there are sections which are rather more poetically descriptive than in the older books. His descriptions have always been brilliant and bold but in Assegai I found them to be a bit "flowery and feminine" at times, which is the only way I can really put it.

Welcome Sallie - glad to have you on board. I never thought about the descriptions the way you described them. It could be another writer, or more likely it's him getting older and that being reflected in his word choice.

Wel wel, Saly, I agree with you 100%. WS books on Africa topics in the near previous centuries is his best.
I love it

Hi Sallie,
Greetings from Morro Bay, California. My wife and I have gone through every one of W/S books twice -- and never tire of reading them. I almost took a job with Rhodesian Copper when I was working in London in 1957. I worked at the Overseas Visitors Club and made many friends from the African Commonwealth countries. I have mourned every "independence" movement since. Is there any way you could research a Johann Pelzer from Bloemfontain to see if he is still alive? Also, I posted a question -- to which I haven't received any answers: What river did the Carthagenians transit up into Southern Rhodesia in "Sunbird"? Any Ideas?
Best Regards. Hoping you will have info for me. Bayside

bayside wrote:I have mourned every "independence" movement since.

I'm the British feel the same way about their former American colony.

All the African countries deserve to be independent and masters of their own destinies, they have had terrible histories under colonial rule.

Hi Nefer - granted your point about the life led by some of the Africans under colonial rule you may want to balance it with the facts that most of them also lived in peace, were well fed, had free education, were generally happy and content. In Rhodesia in particular (under African rule) they now live in dread and fear, are being killed off or forced to leave their country of birth, subjected to genocide (30,000 to 40,000 Matabele were slaughtered by Mugabes army for no other reason than wanting a share in Government) and are living under starvation conditions dependent on overseas aid if it can get through to them So colonial rule may not have been so bad!

Good points tedd.

But I stand by my belief that a 'peaceful' life as a 2nd citizen in the country of your birth can be chaffing.

The current conditions of most countries are dreadful - Botswana being the exception I suppose; as they were a Protectorate and not a Colony. And other former colonies are doing quite well (India for one). Well quite well is relative I suppose, but the overall picture from India is certainly better than that of Zimbabwe!

Hi Sallie

I to have read all of wilbur siths novels other than his new one Those in Peril - it is not even available in canada yet for a few more days.My favourite wilbur novel is ( to hard to say ) I loved the courtenays the ballantynes and the egyptian series - I was not overjoyed reading the Quest to much fantasy and magic not my cup of tea and off the track for wilbur ( I think ) My favourite standalone novel was The Sunbird

favourite author by far Wilbur Smith - by a longshot

johnrogers