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The Dark of the Sun
The Congo. Situated at the heart of sub-Saharan Africa, it is a place where men die for diamonds. For love. And for the unholy pleasure of others…
Bruce Curry is the leader of a mercenary band with the dubious support of three officers. His mission: To relieve a diamond-mining town cut off by the fighting and retrieve a priceless consignment of diamonds. Along the way,
...moreMass Market Paperback, 288 pages
Published
August 4th 2009
by St. Martin's Paperbacks
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A novel about mercenaries operating for Katanga, written by Afro-centric historical thriller writer Wilbur Smith just promised too many savory ingredients (prepared by a master chef) for me to resist. I haven't researched this yet, but I have a strong suspicion the Bruce Willis flick Tears of the Sun was adapted from this yarn--updated from the early 1960s to about 2003, changed from mercenaries to SEALs, and some other tweaks.
(It turns out what I have is an abridged version, so my com...more
(It turns out what I have is an abridged version, so my com...more
Wilbur Smith is an international best-selling writer of adventure and intrigue potboilers set in contemporary and historical times. This was my first exposure to his writing. Smith, at least in this early novel, comes across as a man of his time and place, with notions and prejudices shaped by his upbringing in white-ruled apartheid Rhodesia. The Dark of the Sun, published in 1965, was his second novel (he’s now up to 33). I am but 50 pages into this 282-page paperback, and have already encoun...more
My third Wilbur Smith read, following on from EAGLE IN THE SKY and SHOUT AT THE DEVIL.
Be warned, this is a grisly book. The whole plot involves violence and violent situations. In fact, it's one of the most brutal stories I've ever read. Rape, mass murder, bloody battles, torture and even cannibalism - it's all here and described in shocking, unflinching detail. Definitely not a book for the faint hearted.
Nonetheless, I loved it. This is a short book and I flew through it...more
Be warned, this is a grisly book. The whole plot involves violence and violent situations. In fact, it's one of the most brutal stories I've ever read. Rape, mass murder, bloody battles, torture and even cannibalism - it's all here and described in shocking, unflinching detail. Definitely not a book for the faint hearted.
Nonetheless, I loved it. This is a short book and I flew through it...more
I was initially going to give this a two. Despite its triteness, it did manage to hold my attention to somewhat. Some of what I thought was faults, I owed to its genre and I afforded a considerable degree of poetic license. I think I would have enjoyed this as a movie, but as literary work it just doesn't translate well. The writing is insipid and the characters so cliche. The wounded antihero who wants to keep everyone away from fear of being hurt, only to be reborn again upon meeting the beaut...more
This was Wilbur Smith's second novel, and is a stand alone. It is an historical fiction covering the conflict in the Congo during the 1960's. It has great action (although I saw the various conflicts for the protagonist coming from a mile away on this one). I like the way Wilbur Smith writes, and it is fun reading his novels in chronological order. I look forward to the rest of his books.
I normally like Wilbur Smith, but I like his historical fiction. This is set with mercenaries and african inter-tribe war fare. When one of the main charecters ruthlessly kills two kids I decided I didn't have any desire to continue this book. I am well aware that there are horrible people out there, I have no reason to read tales that include fictional ones.
Wilbur Smith has taken me by surprise again! I really enjoyed this and now think this is one of my favourites by him. Still set in Africa, complete with danger, grizzly and grafficaly told deaths and romance, but not on a boat! I really didn't know what twists and turns would carry the charachters onto the next disaster, just that disaster would surely be awaiting them!
I've enjoyed all of Wilbur Smith's books. This one was one of his first written 45 years ago.
Not bad. The Congo Crisis in the mid 1960's is a fascinating situation to me. A bit of corny romantic subplot but not too much mushy stuff.
hmm... just started... so far it's ok
Another fantastic Wilbur Smith book!! The stand alone Wilbur Smith books are often excellent.
Excellent book.
Old fashion adventure.
Set in the Belgian Congo in 1960s, it had more of an impact than his more historical novels. Perhaps because the events were in my lifetime, I found some of the scenes quite upsetting - I will have to look out for the film version!
"The Dark of the Sun" has an alternate name "Train from Katanga".
Poco coinvolgente, banale e ripetitivo.
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