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Wilbur Smith: The ultimate travel read
I pretty much have just one kind of book that I read when I'm on the road. My friend lent me his vintage book entitled "Eye of the Tiger" by Wilbur Smith, and since then I have been hooked on Wilbur Smith books. I'm also in luck because Smith has over thirty novels in circulation and I've found at least one for trade at any book exchange that I've discovered abroad. Whether I'm in southeast Asia or Latin America, I can come across a Wilbur Smith quite easily. I guess this means I'm not the only one that thinks Wilbur Smith books are the ultimate travel read.
Though the title of "Eye of the Tiger" is quite deceiving, the novel is actually about an underwater treasure hunt off the coast of Mozambique. Smith's novels always have an element of adventure, romance, and danger. There's always a death or two scattered among some pretty intriguing historical events. In addition, all of Smith's books take place somewhere in the continent of Africa -- whether that be in Egypt, Kenya, or South Africa.
The most captivating read I've come across is part of Smith's Egyptian series. "Warlock" follows the epic journey of an old clairvoyant aid to Queen Lostris, Taita, and her grandson Nefer. This was one of the best page-turners I've come across in my lifetime, and even if the Egyptian history is not completely accurate, I still completely bought into the world Smith created.
I'd like to clarify that Smith's novels are not perfect for every occasion. In fact, I don't read Wilbur Smith books when I'm home. I've tried, but they never seem to have the same kind of effect as when I'm traveling. I think this has something to do with the fact that Smith's novels always have an element of adventure, which can be so inspiring for someone who beds down for the night with a great, sweeping adventure story. I can think of nothing better to cap off a great day of exploring.
Filed under: Arts and Culture, History, Learning, Stories, Africa, Books
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Bryan Whitehouse Mar 15th 2009 1:31PM
There are three books in the Eqyptian series of which Warlock is the third. River God, The Seventh Scroll. The second being set in modern times, and they find the hero's scrolls from River God/Warlock. I love these three books. It even inspired me to find old Egyptian folk tales and such, to learn more about those times.
There are a lot of generic books in the Wilbur Smith collection as a whole but when he has a great idea he really can draw you into the story.
nzm Mar 15th 2009 1:53PM
Clive Cussler books are also good for the road.
Thankfully I'm seeing less and less Dan Brown nowadays. A couple of years ago, it seemed as if every 4th person on my planes was reading a DB novel.
Rebecca Apr 24th 2009 6:24PM
I picked up a Wilbur Smith book from my dad's book case over ten years ago. Thought it would be dull - about war and guns and machines. How wrong I was, although there's plenty of that, there's also romance, adventure and emotion - I love how taut his writing his, so descriptive.