The Wilbur Smith Discussion Forums

dtietens wrote: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.

Not rude at all, just tell it as it is. You missed the point. And why the written replay of A Time To Die? Just for the record, one of his better books. Scroll up the page, there are others among us far more scathing. Regarding your personal interest in WS's new 'style', that you are entitled to. Personally, I am not into child molestation and other depravity, compared to his past writing I find his latest efforts to be amateurish, boring,offensive and puerile. However, if that's what floats-your-boat, go for it. I for one will most certainly not be buying his next:?

Aw it's nice to see that WS still has some fans of his current work... I hesitate to call it his but you know.

I can honestly say I've read better writing from amateur fan fiction writers than what the free-lance/ghost writers put forward, but everyone has their preferred tastes and that's fine.

Not sure if the rude comment was meant as a joke? Totally agree with you Jeff, the days of of brilliant writing ended with ATTD.

Sadly, I agree with Jeff and Nefer. I'm seriously considering to quit reading. Taita is so full of himself... He was so as well in River God but there it was somehow adorable instead of annoying.

I can't believe how stupid and naive Taita is in this book. Some things even I would know better. It stretches credibility to the breaking point. (And I won't even mention the discrepancies between this book and the other Egyptian books, because I have better things to do.) I'm now at the part where they set off for Babylon (with, amongst others, a trained Bear... Really!? Come on!). To the people who've read it: does it get better after this point, or is it more of the same crap? Or - God forbid - does it get worse?

We are witnessing the sad demise of the world's greatest adventure writer - guess we just have to face facts, nothing, not even the genius of WS can go on forever. Now where's my dog-eared copy of Men of Men? That, thank goodness will never change. I shudder to think what 'his' next attempt will dump on the faithful. Can only hope that he proves me wrong.

E-Hoog wrote: To the people who've read it: does it get better after this point, or is it more of the same crap? Or - God forbid - does it get worse?

It gets worse...

Damn... Well, I just watched the movie Noah. Speaking of pointless endeavours. I'm losing a lot of hours of my life this week.

You guys are tough. It really wasn't *that* bad. Or maybe my standards are just that low!

Most of the problem (my opinion) springs from WS's lack of personal involvement. Next book due in April and he's out there skiing in wherever-land instead of writing! Oh wait; I forgot; Lord Taita will be writing it for him!!! Gets funnier by the day.

Hi everyone. I am new to this forum, so be nice to me. I have read all of WS books, and I must say that Desert God really left me underwhelmed. It definitely ranks as the worst of his books I have read. I long for gripping style of the older books.

Welcome Lobengula; couple of weeks down the road and you'll be as crazy as the rest of us, hope you enjoy the ride. Jeff

Lobengula wrote:Hi everyone. I am new to this forum, so be nice to me. I have read all of WS books, and I must say that Desert God really left me underwhelmed. It definitely ranks as the worst of his books I have read. I long for gripping style of the older books.

Welcome! And you're quite right. I'm still struggling through it. I have about 90 pages left.

Question: which did you like less: Desert God or Vicious Circle?

Well, I finished it. What to say? Parts of where ok, but not more than that. Taitas character was from time to time unbelievably naive, ignorant and pompous. Not like we know him from the other books. The ending was pathetic. Absolutely pathetic. In so many ways.

What also struck me was that there was an excerpt from River God at the end that comprised more than 10% of the size of the book. That's another way to fill pages...

All in all it was better than Vicious Circle but more on content than on writing style.

I feel Vicious Circle was a better book. It had better character development and the plot had layers to it whereas Desert God did not have that depth in the plot, everything seemed so obvious. It lacked that mystery or twist that comes from having a well matched foe. if you look at a lot of the older books, they had a well crafted adversary in the plot. Sorry WS, I really think you need to do better. Would love WS next book to come down Zimbabwe, there is a fabulous story that needs telling.

Lobengula wrote:I feel Vicious Circle was a better book. It had better character development and the plot had layers to it whereas Desert God did not have that depth in the plot, everything seemed so obvious. It lacked that mystery or twist that comes from having a well matched foe. if you look at a lot of the older books, they had a well crafted adversary in the plot. Sorry WS, I really think you need to do better. Would love WS next book to come down Zimbabwe, there is a fabulous story that needs telling.

Quote by E-Hoog

Desert God was a masterpiece compared to Vicious Circle.

Vicious Circle was a terrible book, where in the gods name did all that sex and horror come from none of that genre of writing has ever existed in Wilburs previous books and I have read every one of them.

I've mentioned this before John -I don't want to appear prudish but I think WS has an unhealthy warped view of sex - maybe OK for porn novels - but as the saying goes "whatever turns you on!"

Or maybe he has quite normal views but is just trying to appear to keep up with the Joneses without the necessary experience to back it up!!

Lobengula wrote:I feel Vicious Circle was a better book. It had better character development and the plot had layers to it whereas Desert God did not have that depth in the plot, everything seemed so obvious. It lacked that mystery or twist that comes from having a well matched foe. if you look at a lot of the older books, they had a well crafted adversary in the plot. Sorry WS, I really think you need to do better. Would love WS next book to come down Zimbabwe, there is a fabulous story that needs telling.

I think you are right that the writing style, the story methods, the villans etc were better thought out in Vicious Circle. But for me that did not compensate the shocking and crappy story. If he could've applied that style and character development to Desert God it would've been OK. Bud sadly we're left with two novels which both leave a lot to be desired.

"It was dark when Tayita pulled his chariot into the only open space outside the Pyramid Night Club; he looked down at Never-a -Teety, flicked his Camel cigarette butt over the horse's butt and said, 'But but, by Seth's sweaty butt you're looking good tonight! What do you say to a ride out into the desert and I'll show you my asp?'
'But but,' she replied, and threatened to cover him over with her cloak of untouchable virginity.
'No more buts, get your sweet little butt up here and hang onto my butt; but before you do, douse my cigarette butt with water from yonder ancient rain butt.
'But but,' she said again, 'Do you have any protection, oh mighty inflamed Tayita, Son of Ramasis the Never Ever Ready? It would not be right for you to leave me filled with child.'
'Protection, you say?' He smiled at her, beatifically, (f**k knows what that means, but but, I read it somewhere) But I am Tayita, Lord of Lords, King of the Dunes! (not the one in Vegas), the only protection you will feel tonight is from the wind.'
'You have doors on this thing?' She stroked the paintwork, 'what if there's a sand storm?'
'No probs,' he told her, and reached out for a butt-on sticking out from the dashboard, 'convertible, sweetheart. Full palm-frond roof; a crack full of sand ain't no good to me.'

tedd wrote:I've mentioned this before John -I don't want to appear prudish but I think WS has an unhealthy warped view of sex - maybe OK for porn novels - but as the saying goes "whatever turns you on!"

That is my main issue with the book Tedd,honest I personally felt unhealthy reading it because of the sexual content.Listen I am not a prude by any means and a little of sexual content written in a book is fine but not in the fashion that is was presented in Vicious Circle.It wasn't even sexual it was horror and debauchery it disturbed me.I do not expect this sort of thing when I chose to read a Wilbur Smith novel.
So the question that comes to me foremost is this - why and where did this sexual content come from because I really have never come across it before in all of his books.Both of the Hector Cross novels had this crude sexual overtone to them