When the Lion Feeds by Wilber Smith

When the Lion Feeds by Wilbur Smith
My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Book overview: In part one, Sean McCortney and his twin brother, Garrick,are the sons of a wealthy cattle rancher in Natal. They grow up each a shadow of the other, come of age during the Zulu Wars, and learn what it is to love and to hate. When Garret believes Sean dead, along with most of his friends and family at the massacre of Isandhlwana, he marries Sean's young love. After returning from a very lengthy honeymoon, they discover Sean is not only alive, but back at Thanis Kraal ready to assume his role as family head. Garrick's wife, Sean's former love, has other ideas and Sean rides off into the Veld.

Part two we find Sean hooking up with Duff, a brilliant strategist, and together they amass a fortune in the mining industry, pitting them sovereign to sovereign against two brilliant Jews. They find that love doesn't always come in pretty skirts, gold is a harsh mistress and sometimes being beholden to no man is more freedom than any money will buy.

Part three, which in no way actually concludes the series, Sean has seen more heartbreak and misfortune than most men of his age. With his trusted Zulu warriors, he has slaughtered enough elephants for their ivory to start a new ranch of his own with his Boer wife and child by his side. But sometimes the universe, or the Veld, has other things in mind.


This was an engaging enough read, touching on those things South African - the Zulu wars, the Dutch influence, gold and diamond mining, cattle ranching, the wholesale slaughter of elephants for their tusks, and the heartache that comes with it all. But after a while it was rather like reading about waves: good things are going to happen, and then bad things are going to happen, but then good things happen, and more bad things happen... it's all unfolding much like a map.

The first two parts were stronger than part three. It was as if the author just wanted to wrap things up to set the stage for book two. And what did happen in part three really didn't fit with the rest of the book, again, a means to conclude book one?

I did thoroughly enjoy the setting in Africa - the veld, the mountainous country, the dry season, the rainy season, the interaction with the natives, the wildlife. Sean's relationship with Duff was humorous and engaging and Sean's Zulu friends added a nice touch of wit and counterpoint to the harsh backdrop.

However, I'm not sure I'm interested enough to pick up Sound of Thunder, which takes Sean off to the Boer Wars and the conflict with his twin brother who's been nursing his hate for 15 years. By the time I finished, I was at a point where, honestly, I almost didn't care any more - the waves are still going to come, and still going to go.

Recommended if you like long, page encompassing sagas.


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