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The Sunbird [Hardcover]

Wilbur A. Smith (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Hardcover: 455 pages
  • Publisher: Doubleday; [1st ed.] edition (July 1973)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0385007108
  • ISBN-13: 978-0385007108
  • Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 16.5 x 4.3 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,908,519 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
43 of 44 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A right little gem 29 Nov 2005
By JPR
Format:Hardcover
Only the 2nd stand alone i've read of Wilbur. I must admit that when starting this book, i had quite high expectations since i'd heard it was one of his best.

I can say now that i was not disappointed in the slightest. In fact i was even taken aback a little by its brilliance. This is definitely one book not to miss out on.

Split into 2 parts, the 1st is set in the modern era (1970's) in Southern Africa. We follow the gifted, intelligent but physically deformed (Hunchback) Dr. Ben Kazin and his rich and handsome friend Louren. They share a passion for lost civilisations and archietecture. So when the red cliffs of Botswanaland show a potental sectet to an ancient civilisation and culture, Dr. Kazin thinks that this could be the one, the chance of a liftime, to realise his dreams. Both set of to try and uncover any leads. These efforts are constantly disrupted by many things, namely Terrorists, Violence, Greed and Love.

Even if this doesn't sound like your cup of tea, the way Wilbur writes it eventually weaves some kind of magic spell on you and you are swept into the world of these 2 characters and their dreams. The main character Ben is brought to life so well that you begin to share his passions, happiness, weakness and ambitions with him.

The 2nd part of the book goes back 2000 years and introduces us to the civilisation of Opet. Here our main hero is a courageous, well loved priest/war veterain named Huy Ben-Amon. His close friend is the King of Opet, Lannon. Their civilisation rules the southern continent but a potentially hostile enemy is lurking in the North. Due to their cruelty and complaciency overall as a society, Opet comes under threat by a seemingly unstoppable and relentless foe.

I don't want to talk about the 2nd part in any more detail othewise i might give something away. All i can say is that this part of the book is quite sensational. This has to be Wilbur at his very best.

I found the 1st part of the book very good, but its the 2nd part that makes the Sunbird so special, the way it brings both parts together, making this a right classic!

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20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars The best book that W.Smith has written, a classic read 23 Nov 2001
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
I have read the Sunbird three times until now (once in English and twice in Greek) and every time I finish it I want to read it again. Admittedly the beginning isn't very exciting. After a certain point though Smith's narration attains some kind of magic and you find yourself in another dimension. The writing is so natural and balanced that makes the book almost a classic. The story also is wonderful and manages to appeal like an ancient Greek tragedy or a Shaekspearean play. The characters, especially Dr. Kajin, are so well given that make you share their passions, weaknesess and ambitions. 'The Sunbird', I think, is the kind of book that all the equivalent should have as reference.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely the best thing I have ever read 3 July 2000
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Smith shows just how good a writer he really is. This amazing example of his work brings together the exitement of modern day Africa and the emotions of his lead character perfectly, before throwing them back in time where we see the brilliance of his creative mind sending them into their carthaginian past. I could not put it down. Excellent, fantastic, perfect. Need I say more?
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars a must to read
a tippical wilber smith classic great read that keeps you guessingtill the end off the book one off his best
Published 2 days ago by colin bradbury
5.0 out of 5 stars third time I have read this book
third time I have read this book over a thirty year span and each time enjoyed it as is if reading it for the first time,the switch from present to past is like reading a different... Read more
Published 1 month ago by eileen moore
4.0 out of 5 stars The Sunbird
I read this book many years ago, and thought it was worth reading again.

I enjoyed it just as much the second time. Read more
Published 1 month ago by JEAN WATERS
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
A fantastic read. Wilbur Smith is a wonderful writer. I couldn't put the book down. Magnificent story telling. Worth every one of its 5 stars.
Published 1 month ago by Max Asiwe
4.0 out of 5 stars Far fetched but kept you turning pages
I remember reading this book years ago and it stuck in my mind so ordered for my kindle . A good yarn .It was much more interesting in the second part.
Published 2 months ago by howdy
5.0 out of 5 stars book
it is a book i have read many times and i lent to someone who did'nt return it this was a replacement it is a very enjoyable book
Published 2 months ago by Mrs. Joy Simmonds
1.0 out of 5 stars rubbish
this was discribed as very good condition well this is
something it certainly was'nt ,i think the sun from the book
had made the pages brown ,and i really went to the... Read more
Published 2 months ago by rafaelacar
5.0 out of 5 stars Wilbur's best.
Of all Wilbur Smiths books this is my particular favourite. I've bought and read all of his books from way back in the 60's, he is a prolific story teller and in my opinion the... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Bryan Melrose
5.0 out of 5 stars Perhaps my favourite book of all time
This was the second Wilbur Smith novel I read and still in my view his best. The two parallel stories thousands of year's apart work perfectly. Read more
Published 3 months ago by StorytellerClive
3.0 out of 5 stars An epic tale of two halves that doesn't quite hit the mark
Not sure about this book. None of the characters were that endearing or relatable. Evil triumphs in many ways in this book and not just in the obvious ways. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Jenny McCann
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