The Wilbur Smith Discussion Forums

]Hi johnrogers - did you get a kindle edition? tedd[/quote]

Howdy Tedd - yes it was the kindle ebook edition[/quote]

Hallo john - I bought the standard hardback - it's 424 pages which makes it a reasonable length and EVERY page is a full page of print. No chapter headings, in fact, no chapters - just a continuous run of print, no half-pages, no blank pages - change of scenes being marked by a large capital letter on the first word of the new section - I liked this set-up.

jeffw wrote:Experts at 'padding out'; a lot of publishers also increase the font size, cut the number of lines per page and heave thirty pages of 'white paper' in with the story. There's no doubt, the man is being squeezed; ghosties are definitely in there. His next book is due March/April and he's holidaying in Namibia? This next offering will be something to behold. Hope I'm wrong, but see the good ship Disaster coming on over the literary horizon. really pisses me off; think I'll head north for the Limpopo again with Sean and Duff; how much I miss them.

And jeffw - jeepers Jeff you really are getting cynical in your old age - it's Xmas, love one another and all that - I wish I could be in the wilds of Namibia (and I bet you do!) on a one man luxury safari along with a glamorous bird - the stuff that makes good stories - while having someone write the rest of my memoirs for me (and in WS's case writing his books for him)
I agree with you - it won't work and everybody will be aware of it. But good readable yarns are still being turned out under the names of Robert Ludlum and James Patterson (I think) with the addition of the 'ghosts' names and they are being accepted, probably welcomed, by the reading public.
Anyway - to johnrogers and jeffw a special greeting for Christmas and the New Year - have a great Festive Season - I love reading your contributions to the forum and I am looking forward Jeff to your next book. And to all members of this Forum I also extend good wishes for Xmas and New Year

Hi Tedd, maybe you're right, I'm just a grumpy old git; must try harder, guess I expect too much from WS so will emulate your efforts and be more understanding (but I refuse to cry), he still brings joy to a lot of people so what the heck, that's what counts. reckon I need a break from writing, last 18 months has been a seven day week commitment to my next book so feeling a tad knackered, could be part of the reason for my bad temper. Anyway, here's to a great new year; Have a great Christmas out there in the sunshine,
Best wishes,
Jeff
ps, have been asked if I want the part of Scrooge in the movie, Christmas Carol. Thinking about it, my wife reckons I would fit right in there.

You too, Johnrogers! Have a great Christmas but easy on the moonshine!
Jeff
And to all our forum members; may both happiness and goodwill come knocking at your door. Merry, merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and all my best wishes to you and yours Tedd and Jeff and Matbow and Nefer and Ehoog.It has been a lot of fun going back and forth with you in 2014 - brothers in arms for certain or my extended family on the internet - love you guys - take care

And Merry Christmas to all my other pals in the forum

We go Blurbal at Christmas time

And Merry Christmas to Nefer, Matbo and Ehoog; now I'm all Christamassed out; see you guys again in 2015! God bless and don't forget; "Better to be cold and wet on the golf course, than dry and warm in a hospital bed!!!"

I'll put my best wishes here as well .

Have a good Christmas and a very good 2015!

I'm so bored reading this, I'm reading fan fiction that has has a better plot and is actually edited! I'm at the part where they fracking finally get to Crete.

You got it, Nefer! More excitement in the Old Testament; good for insomniacs, as a sleep-aid.

Sleep aid bahahahaha!

Well I'm finally done and wow that was so awful I honestly don't see the point of this book?

And Merry Xmas everyone

Nefer wrote:Sleep aid bahahahaha!

Well I'm finally done and wow that was so awful I honestly don't see the point of this book?

Tough review by Nefer folks

Hahahah yeah well, if it looks like crap and smells like crap....

I really want Wilbur to retire and preserve his dignity and reputation.

Nefer wrote:Hahahah yeah well, if it looks like crap and smells like crap....

I really want Wilbur to retire and preserve his dignity and reputation.

Should be fun...a cat among the forum's pigeons? A tumultuous, New Year awaits! Look forward to the adventure. Jeff

First man on our forum for 2015!!! Now then; WS's next book, according to Niso may be released this coming April. A follow-on to Desert God, or Vicious Circle? What's the betting? Happy New Year to everyone. , jeff

I'm not betting bc I won't be reading :p

Happy NY Jeff!

Easier said than done, Nefer. Curiosity will suck us in - again!

Nefer wrote:Sleep aid bahahahaha!

Well I'm finally done and wow that was so awful I honestly don't see the point of this book?

I've finally started as well and, bloody hell... What shallow drivel has he concocted now? I'm only 50 pages in, but bored as hell. With just a little more "flesh" to the story and characters it could've been something nice. Pity

Edit: and happy new year@all

You can clearly tell what Wilbur wrote and where the ghost writers took over. It's still an awful book either way.

Yes guys, those days of our swarming over his razor-edged prose are well and truly over; left lying alongside Tukutela and Claudia's old man. So it's back to his earlier books, permanently. Might not be such a bad ending, reckon I'll go check out old Zouga and Ralph... who knows, maybe I missed something.
Jeff

Jeffw, you're rude…
Claudia Monterro: Daughter of Riccardo Monterro. She’s the lover of Sean II. Kidnapped by China, a Renamo guerrilla leader, as a means to coerce Sean II into co-operating with Renamo - Mozambique (A Time to Die). Tukutela: a mythical elephant hunted by the father of Claudia, an American tycoon and customer of Sean II on his hunting concession. Afflicted by cancer. I think Tukutela helped Claudia's old man "kick the bucket".

I recognize that “his” latest writings might not be on the level as the “earlier” ones but I can like the idea that WS still provides the plot or storylines, even if he delegates some of the chapters to freelance writers. With a bit of daydreaming I can still immerge in his characters. From my part, I hope that WS will provide many more ideas for numerous installments on the Ballantyne and Courtney Series.