Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the eminent storyteller's masterpieces, 19 April 2001
By A Customer
I've read many of Wilbur Smith books and I classify River God as the second best after 'The Sunbird'. Everything mixes perfectly in this book and Smith tells us the epic story of a great ancient nation who at a point lose everything and they have to fight for their lost glory. I think that what is unique in this book, comparing to other Smith's books, is that the main hero is not one of the superman-like guys but rather a castrated slave, Taita. Someone who uses his intelligence much more than he uses his muscles. It is through his eyes that we see all the story evolving, since as a slave he has a duty to be a historian in ancient Egypt, but he also plays an active role in influencing the policy of the Pharaoh. Further, the love story between Taita, the Queen, Pharaoh and the warrior Tanus is of unparallel beauty. As for the blood and violence, yes- you guessed rightly- they are as ever present in this Smith book. However, I believe that violence in River God is not exaggerated (as it happens in some of Smith's other books) but rather is well integrated with the other ingredients of the story (e.g. romance, description of daily life in ancient Egypt etc.).Further, since the action of this book doesn't take place in South Africa the readers won't have to question themselves of whether Smith is in favor of Victorian imperialistic ideas. For those reasons I believe that River God can be appealing not only to committed fans of W. Smith but to a more general audience who likes reading this type of literature. In the future this will be one of Smith's books that people will refer back to and it won't be forgotten.
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A masterpiece from the world's eminent storyteller, 19 April 2001
By A Customer
I've read many of Wilbur Smith books and I classify River God as the second best after 'The Sunbird'. Everything mixes perfectly in this book and Smith tells us the epic story of a great ancient nation who at a point lose everything and they have to fight for their lost glory. I think that what is unique in this book, comparing to other Smith's books, is that the main hero is not one of the superman-like guys but rather a castrated slave, Taita. Someone who uses his intelligence much more than he uses his muscles. It is through his eyes that we see all the story evolving, since as a slave he has a duty to be a historian in ancient Egypt, but he also plays an active role in influencing the policy of the Pharaoh. Further, the love story between Taita, the Queen, Pharaoh and the warrior Tanus is of unparallel beauty. As for the blood and violence, yes- you guessed rightly- they are as ever present in this Smith book. However, I believe that violence in River God is not exaggerated (as it happens in some of Smith's other books) but rather is well integrated with the other ingredients of the story (e.g. romance, description of daily life in ancient Egypt etc.).Further, since the action of this book doesn't take place in South Africa the readers won't have to question themselves of whether Smith is in favor of Victorian imperialistic ideas. For those reasons I believe that River God can be appealing not only to committed fans of W. Smith but to a more general audience who likes reading this type of literature. In the future this will be one of Smith's books that people will refer back to and it won't be forgotten.
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25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
simply the best, 29 Jul 2005
I don't think there are any words that can really describe how great this book is. It is my personal favourite out of any book i have ever read. I was only 13 when i first read this, a lot of my friends thought me a bit odd for being so excited about a book. I had tried reading other W Smith books before this one but found i couldn't get into the story, but i picked this one up and instantly i was captured. Like all good books you can never put it down the descriptions he has used in it are amazing, it really is like an emotional roller-coaster when you read this. You will laugh, you will cry, it will make you feel like you are really there living through Taita. Brilliant book.
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