Description
Birds Of Prey – Wilbur Smith
Birds of Prey is a 1977 adventure novel by Wilbur Smith. It is the first book in the Courtney series, and follows the adventures of Sir Francis Courtney, a British sailor who is shipwrecked on the coast of South Africa in the early 1800s.
Courtney is rescued by a group of Khoikhoi people, and he learns about their culture and traditions. He also falls in love with a Khoikhoi woman named Mbegu.
Courtney eventually decides to leave the Khoikhoi people and return to England. However, he is captured by a group of Dutch slavers. Courtney is taken to Cape Town, where he is sold as a slave.
Courtney manages to escape from slavery, and he joins a group of pirates who are attacking the Dutch East India Company’s ships. Courtney becomes a successful pirate, and he amasses a large fortune.
Courtney eventually returns to South Africa, where he buys a farm and starts a family with Mbegu. However, Courtney’s past as a pirate catches up with him, and he is forced to defend his family from the Dutch East India Company.
Birds of Prey is a thrilling adventure novel that is full of action, suspense, and romance. It is a story about courage, determination, and the power of love.
Themes
The novel explores a number of themes, including:
- Courage
- Determination
- The power of love
- The dangers of slavery
- The importance of fighting for freedom
Characters
- Sir Francis Courtney: A British sailor who is shipwrecked on the coast of South Africa in the early 1800s.
- Mbegu: A Khoikhoi woman who rescues Courtney and falls in love with him.
- Captain Van der Velden: A Dutch slaver who captures Courtney.
- Admiral Pieter de Jong: The governor of Cape Town and the commander of the Dutch East India Company’s forces in South Africa.
Critical reception
Birds of Prey was a critical and commercial success upon its publication. It was praised for its fast-paced plot, its well-developed characters, and its exciting action sequences. The novel has been translated into over 20 languages and has sold over 2 million copies.
Birds of Prey is a must-read for fans of adventure novels. It is a thrilling and exciting story that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
Tags
- adventure
- historical fiction
- pirates
- slavery
- freedom
- courage
- determination
- love
- fast-paced
- well-developed characters
- exciting action sequences
- best-selling