The Burning Shore: The Courtney Series, Book 4

Just as I was wondering if Smith was even capable of crafting a story around a well rounded, noble woman (I'm sorry Ruth...but you didn't get enough ink)...we meet Centaine. And her relationship with Michael Courtney was romantic and lovely. Her burning trial that takes up the majority of the middle of the novel, and the relationship with her companions...is one of the most beautiful bits of writing Smith has ever done. And I thought maybe his Imperialistic impulses had softened a little. But then, this heroine falls prey to the fate of almost all of Smith's heroines in the end. I won't spoil it. But, verbally cat fighting with Storm? After the way her soul has been opened during her trial? Unbelievable. Petty. And her final choices? I was shaking my head through the whole last chapter. Smith's relationship with women and his opinion of them has clearly clouded his reason. But alas, it is a good read. Just wish he had given Centaine the honor and future she was due. I would have enjoyed reading follow up books to her story. Now, not so much.

The Burning Shore is the first of six novels in "The Courtneys of Africa" series and while several Courtneys play a role in the story the heroine of the story is Centaine de Thiry, a beautiful young French girl from a privileged family. The first third of the book takes place in northern France during World War I and brilliantly depicts the air war in the skies and the terrible brutality and suffering of war. When Centaine's family estate is destroyed by the Germans she flees aboard an ally Red Cross ship bound for Africa. The ship is subsequently sunk by a German U-boat off the coast of Africa and she finds herself washed up on the shore of the vast Kalahari DesertThus begins an astounding story of survival and perseverance when she is found by a pair of desert dwellers. So begins the journey to the Place of All Living, a site sacred to the Bushman of the desert. Centaine grows to love these two old people who have rescued her while at the same time longing to return to her own people. This is a story of survival, danger, love and loyalty that is fascinating. The ending comes as a total surprise and is heartwarming as well as brutal. Wilbur Smith is a wonderful adventure writer and one of my three favorite authors. This book is highly recommended as are all the other novels he has written featuring the Courtney family of Africa.

They way Wilber builds his characters and draw you into their lives is just brilliant. When you felt happiness, stress, anger and devastation with each character. The amount of words, time and energy he spend on each characters journey make this story unforgettable.The only thing I hate about it…was that it Ended…

The opening chapters describing the aerial dogfights of WWI in the bi-planes of the era are so intense that it was hard to put down. Many times books build up to an intense ending but this book was in reverse. After the aerial dogfights and description of the WWI combat and destruction the book bogged down and while still holding my interest, got a little lengthy. Since I had read the followup, The Power of The Sword, it was interesting to see the development of the character Centaine and how she came to the Courtneys of Africa. I recently had read a book on the biplane fighters of WWI and am amazed at the accuracy of the description of the planes, their engines, and guns and the way they were flown. They seem primitive compared to current fighters but make one have a better vision and feeling for the events of the period. I have read 12 or 15 books by this author and find Wilbur Smith has no equal when it comes to historical fiction.

I started reading this book years ago but quit when, what I thought was the leading character, died. I have since read the rest of the series and wanted to go back and fill in the blanks. I've read many of Wilbur Smiths books and just love his style. Great characters, rich detail, historically accurate, and always an interesting story line. Another author might have told this story in half the pages and, for some readers, that might be the preference. Personally, I enjoy the details and detours from the main story line.Burning Shore is not the best of the Courtney Family Adventures by any means, but it is a significant work and well worth the time. I would recommend reading them in order as it would definitely enhance the value.

As a Mileu story, I find it one of the better books I've ever read. And I've read a lot. Of particular note is the San or Kalahari Bushmen in the story. Some have reviewed it as predictable and jumping ahead, but I believe they miss the point.Why re-read a good book . . . you may ask yourself . . . . you know the Hobbits win don't you. We re-read a book so that when we're done we take something of that World View back home with us. That is why many of us like Mythology and tall tales of adventure. Call it escapism if you want. Wilbur is a master at capturing us. So don't hurry through it but enjoy it and dive into it and immerse yourself in the characters and the story line.I could give this a ten star rating if allowed.

Wilbur Smith is no doubt a spectacularly gifted writer. This book, however, falls short of all the other books of his I've read. I had to work to retain my interest through the entire middle half of the book. Hindered by his sometimes exhaustive descriptions of the terrain and landscape of Africa, I many times skipped pages ahead to keep the read flowing. As predictable as it is implausible, this book is a weak entry in Smith's impressive catalog of work. That being said, I'm looking forward to giving him another chance with book 5 in the Courtney Family series.

Centaine's trek through the desert African wilderness is fascinating. I love the Courtney family stories and this book set up the back story perfectly. I read it about 20 yrs ago and now I'm reading the series again. The Burning Shore is a wonderful read.

I had not read a Courtney novel since the early 1990's when my Father in Law passed and I took possession of his paper back collection. To be honest I did not remember much at all of these books other than strong characters and well described locations. This book was the same and I found it easy reading and very difficult to put down. I became engrossed by the story and my imagination transported me to the locations, it was like watching a film in my head. The author seems to be able to paint a picture but leaves you enough space to imagine the rest, making for a very easy, but emotional, journey through the book. Highly recommended.

This book leaves one in awe of the Bushmen of the Kalahari and the respect they have for the area in which they dwell, if only all humanity could learn from them and we would halt the destruction of our planet.The story never leaves one, it is so wonderfully narrated.Well done Wilbur Smith!

For the first time with a Wilbur Snith novel I had to force myself to continue to the end as I never give up on a book in case it suddenly gets gripping. This one was a real disappointment. I couldn't pick out anything specific apart from having no emotional attachment to the characters and being bored.

The story is well written. What more could you expect from the Barbara Cartland of machismo. The plot required the reader to suspend their disbelief, as does all fiction, but this is extreme.For instance, a baby is born and is crawling and saying Mama and Dada within a week! I suppose we must assume from this that the author either lacks the knowledge or experience with babies; or comes from another planet.

I found this book very slow, I love Wilbur Smiths books especially this series and have read it before but to be honest not much happens in it, I skipped many pages this time round, I have only found this to be the case with a few of his books but this one is the worst.....now for the next in the series