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bakerman
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23-09-2017, 12:48 AM
1

River God

It, of course, depends upon personalities, but in my opinion, River God, by Wilbur Smith, is the greatest book yet written.
The story takes place In Egypt, circa 1500 B.C. The historical novel is written from the perspective of a slave named Tiata. In this novel you will find, pulse pounding adventure, ever-lasting love, wonderful goodness, the foulest of evils, danger, genius, stupidity, beauty, heroes, heroines, loyalty, betrayal ,tears and unbounded joy.

Caution: reading this book may, at times, cause you to forget to breathe.
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23-09-2017, 03:14 AM
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Re: River God

Having been to Egypt ,ie Cairo and then on from Luxor to go up the river Nile to the Aswan dam. The tour guide who did lectures on Egyptian History in a University over there told us all about the country. Seeing the actual places and the stories they hold was fascinating and brought it all to life.
We stayed in Giza, the hotel was by the great pyramids.

View from hotel



The sheer size of the buildings leaves one in awe and wondering how they managed to do it


Each with its own history


Nothing wrong with reading from a book, but far more interesting my wife and I found actually being there.
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23-09-2017, 04:01 AM
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Re: River God

Originally Posted by bakerman ->
It, of course, depends upon personalities, but in my opinion, River God, by Wilbur Smith, is the greatest book yet written.
The story takes place In Egypt, circa 1500 B.C. The historical novel is written from the perspective of a slave named Tiata. In this novel you will find, pulse pounding adventure, ever-lasting love, wonderful goodness, the foulest of evils, danger, genius, stupidity, beauty, heroes, heroines, loyalty, betrayal ,tears and unbounded joy.

Caution: reading this book may, at times, cause you to forget to breathe.
I am not sure I would call Wilbur Smith's books great literature but he is, like Jeffery Archer, a good story teller.

One of the most irritating things about Wilbur Smith is that his heroes are all the same - very manly and almost handsome but not quite perfect with a broken nose or a scar and the heroines are likewise almost beautiful, their perfection spoilt by a slightly large mouth or nose.

I haven't read one of his books for decades but I used to enjoy them.
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23-09-2017, 06:25 AM
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Re: River God

Yes, I totally agree. There is nothing like actually being there. I could not say what was my favorite ancient site. I very much enjoyed the trip down the Nile from Aswan to Luxor. Inside The Great Pyramid at Giza was awesome. Though to be honest, I chickened out when going down into the Red Pyramid, way, way too small of a passage and too darned far. I was a bit disappointed that people are limited to only 3 tombs/day in The Valley Of The Kings. I spent 3 whole days in the Museum of Antiquities in Cario, No tour group, I like to travel at my own pace,; go where I want, when I want and for how long I want. I sat cross-legged against a wall, for several hours gazing at one particular Pharaoh's statue while flocks of tourists were herded passed.
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23-09-2017, 06:34 AM
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Re: River God

One of the most irritating things about Wilbur Smith is that his heroes are all the same - very manly and almost handsome but not quite perfect with a broken nose or a scar and the heroines are likewise almost beautiful, their perfection spoilt by a slightly large mouth or nose.

I haven't read one of his books for decades but I used to
enjoy them.[/QUOTE]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Bakerman replies
Sorry to disagree, but Tiata, in "River God" is far from manly.
And Ben Kazan, in "Sunbird" is a hunchback.
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23-09-2017, 08:10 AM
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Re: River God

I think I read that 20 odd years ago. I used to like Wilbur Smith novels, just got bored with them as they all followed the same formula

But I think that's true of many authors of popular fiction.

I know my mum still enjoys his books and takes one away on her holidays
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23-09-2017, 08:35 AM
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Re: River God

Originally Posted by bakerman ->
One of the most irritating things about Wilbur Smith is that his heroes are all the same - very manly and almost handsome but not quite perfect with a broken nose or a scar and the heroines are likewise almost beautiful, their perfection spoilt by a slightly large mouth or nose.

I haven't read one of his books for decades but I used to
enjoy them.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Bakerman replies
Sorry to disagree, but Tiata, in "River God" is far from manly.And Ben Kazan, in "Sunbird" is a hunchback.[/QUOTE]

Ha ha! I was just thinking that Bakerman. I have read River God a few times now and absolutely love it. I have read a few of Wilbur Smith's books but I think this is probably his best. Somehow he makes you feel like you are actually there. It's definitely in my top ten.
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23-09-2017, 09:24 AM
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Re: River God

I think "Sunbird" is my 2nd favorite Wilbur Smith novel. When-ever I read his books I can lose track of several days. He has a way of transporting me to the past. And his ability to come up with phrases often leave me stunned. Many times I have wondered how he can come up with the perfect description and I think that I could never have dredged up that word or phrase. Like this opening to River God.

"The river lay heavy on the desert, bright as a spill of molten metal from the furnace. The sky was a smoky heat haze and it beat down upon the earth with all the fury of a coppersmith's hammer"

I get goose-bumps just remembering it. ha Ha
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23-09-2017, 09:33 AM
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Re: River God

Originally Posted by bakerman ->
I think "Sunbird" is my 2nd favorite Wilbur Smith novel. When-ever I read his books I can lose track of several days. He has a way of transporting me to the past. And his ability to come up with phrases often leave me stunned. Many times I have wondered how he can come up with the perfect description and I think that I could never have dredged up that word or phrase. Like this opening to River God.
"The river lay heavy on the desert, bright as a spill of molten metal from the furnace. The sky was a smoky heat haze and it beat down upon the earth with all the fury of a coppersmith's hammer" I get goose-bumps just remembering it. ha Ha
I agree. I'm not normally one for 'flouncy' writing as I find it detracts from the story but Smith just seems to get a good balance.
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23-09-2017, 09:55 AM
10

Re: River God

Originally Posted by bakerman ->
I think "Sunbird" is my 2nd favorite Wilbur Smith novel. When-ever I read his books I can lose track of several days. He has a way of transporting me to the past. And his ability to come up with phrases often leave me stunned. Many times I have wondered how he can come up with the perfect description and I think that I could never have dredged up that word or phrase. Like this opening to River God.

"The river lay heavy on the desert, bright as a spill of molten metal from the furnace. The sky was a smoky heat haze and it beat down upon the earth with all the fury of a coppersmith's hammer"

I get goose-bumps just remembering it. ha Ha
I must admit to never reading a Wilbur Smith book, but that description makes me want to buy the book and delve further into his exquisite writing...
 
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