- Hardcover
- Publisher: Macmillan (Mar 12 1999)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0333767276
- ISBN-13: 978-0333767276
- Shipping Weight: 789 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (77 customer reviews)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Amazon
South Africa's master storyteller Wilbur Smith has been writing his exotic historical sagas for so long that he's in danger of being taken for granted and typecast as an author of adventure stories for and about overgrown boys. But there's a lot more to Smith's books than mere blood, thunder, swash, and buckle. He might not be as thoughtful or as philosophical as Patrick O'Brian, but his stories have a wider geographical and chronological range and lots more action.
Monsoon is the latest chronicle in Smith's Courteney series. In it, Hal Courteney is sent by the East India Trading Company to attack Arab pirates who are harassing trade off the East African coast. He takes three of his four sons, but one of them absconds to Bombay and another is taken prisoner by the Arabs. Although the mission is an eventual success, Hal himself is seriously injured and returns to England. His son Tom becomes the real hero of the story, gallantly rescuing his captured brother from the infidel.
Like his heroes, Smith's prose pulls no punches: "Aboli swung the axe in a wide, flashing arc. It took the man full in the side of his neck, severing it cleanly. His head toppled forward and rolled down his chest, while his trunk stood erect before it slumped to the deck. The air escaped from his lungs in a whistling blast of frothy blood from the open windpipe." It may not be pretty, but it certainly grabs your attention. --Dick Adler --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.
From Publishers Weekly
Tenth in the swashbuckling saga of the bold and adventuresome Courtneys, this epic sequel to Birds of Prey finds Sir Hal Courtney and his sons up to their bloody sword arms in piracy, intrigue, treachery and civil war in late 17th and early 18th century East Africa and Arabia. Once again the veteran author creates a masterful tale of action and suspense set on the high seas, arid deserts and steaming jungles. Wealthy English landowner Sir Hal earned his fortune as a sea captain with the East India Company. To protect his overseas investments, he becomes a privateer to combat Arab pirates attacking company ships from bases in Zanzibar and Madagascar. Accompanied by three of his four sons, Sir Hal embarks on a desperate voyage that will bring either glory and treasure or ruin. Sir Hal is a skilled leader and a good father, but his sons are a mixed lot, bitter rivals in love and war. William, the eldest son, left in charge of the English estate, is a greedy blackguard and a brutal poltroon. Tom is a fearless leader while his twin brother, Guy, is a bitter and vengeful schemer. Young Dorian, captured by the Arabs and raised as a Muslim, is resourceful and cunning. Sir Hals voyage brings the Courtney family both wealth and catastrophe. One son is murdered, another becomes a fugitive, a third an abusive betrayer and the fourth is abandoned and forlorn. Clever plot twists and lavish historical detail attend the siblings adventures as they battle pirates, slavers, assassins, their own government and each other. A smooth blend of adventure and romance, the novel is an atmospheric trip through the fierce mysteries of the Dark Continent and the Arabian seas.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic. Something in it for readers of many genres.,
By A Customer
This review is from: Monsoon (Paperback)
This book picks up well after Birds of Prey, and takes the reader on a roller-coaster of emotions as Smith seamlessly blends romance, adventure, intrigue, and drama in an epic story that is very hard to put down. Simply Fantastic! I can't wait to start on Blue Horizon and continue the excellent saga.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Too good for words,
By Denis Cronin "'Donnacha'" (Ireland) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Monsoon (Courtney Family Adventures) (Mass Market Paperback)
Simply put, this book is excellent. After reading the previous book, Bird of Prey, I had a good background knowledge of some of the characters and the world in which it is set. The characters are brilliant, so are the plots, the adventures, the intrigue, the love triangles.... the list goes on and on. If ever a book deserved 5 stars, this is the one.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb, a triumph for Smith.,
By "chimara27" (Southeast USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Monsoon (Courtney Family Adventures) (Mass Market Paperback)
This is the ultimate escapist read. Wilbur Smith takes the reader from wealthy English life in the 17th century, to the intrigues of the sultan of Zanzibar. Full of good old fashioned swashbuckling action, more action, and the requisite guy meets girl, kills many for girl relationship. Most of Smith's character's are fairly one sided, but this book portrayed many interesting character relationships. By far one of Smith's best works, I hope for many more of this ilk.
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