The Wilbur Smith Discussion Forums

After 15 years or so of thinking no other author can match Wilbur Smith's standard of adventure writing I think I've found another favourite. I picked up a copy of Passage to Mutiny by Alexander Kent in January, and if you are a fan of the nautical Courtneys then I don't think you'd be disappointed with this. The principal character is Richard Bolitho, and the books follow his career in the Royal Navy.

I've never really got into Jack Higgins or Patrick O'Brien, tolerated Peter Watt (am currently reading Shadow of the Osprey) and I quite like Gerald Seymour, but this is the first time I've been gripped as much as WS. More here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Bolitho

I came across Alexander Kent at the same time i found Wilbur Smith (Dr. Livingstone eat your heart out)
I've read most of the Bolitho novels but i haven't been so keen since Adam became the central figure.
Every time i go to Falmouth i puzzle on which one the 'big house' might be but i haven't figured it out.
Twoscoops do you prescribe to the Bolitho newsletter? They don't seem to come out very often anymore.

sounds interesting! May have a look in the local library

Monsoon wrote:Twoscoops do you prescribe to the Bolitho newsletter? They don't seem to come out very often anymore.

I didn't know there was one, I've only just discoverd AK. Will look out for it.

I tried one of them, I think the series is almost 30 novels now. I thought it was just OK. I believe that for seafaring adventures Patrick O’Brian with his Master and Commander series and C S Forester with the Hornblower series are the top of the game.

Monsoon and Twoscoops maybe you can recommend a specific title so I can give it another try.

BTW, Monsoon, check out an interview in Alexander Kemt’s website, he reveals where the “big house” is.

Hey guys, I picked up "Command a Kings ship" at the library this lunch time, it's obviously not the first in the series - does this matter?

Go right ahead, I was not impressed with the one I read, so I’m waiting for somebody to recommend another entry. It probably is better to read them in order, but with over thirty titles already it may be a daunting task.

Matbow wrote:Hey guys, I picked up "Command a Kings ship" at the library this lunch time, it's obviously not the first in the series - does this matter?

It was the 2nd book i read so i say go for it aswell, besides trying to get all the books out of libraries etc in chronological order would be nigh on impossible nowadays. Anyway you have to read one to know whether you want to read anymore.

I don't know which book you started with Penitent, but i would say these books are of a similar standard until you get to the more recently written which i don't think were so good.
So you can read CACK aswell! (sorry CaKS)