I have read a wide variety of books in my day, but I most enjoy novels. Especially historical novels. I used to be a big fan of James Michener, but now my favorite author is Wilbur Smith, a native of South Africa. In my opinion, his best work is "River God" a historical novel centering on ancient Egypt aprox 1,500 B.C. The story is told from the perspective of a slave named, Tiata. This book has it all: plenty of action, true undying love, tragedy, self sacrifice, intrigue, cruelty, treason, war, faithfulness, and honor. History and myth intermingled. "Best historical novelist: I say Wilbur Smith" ---Stephen King On the New York times best seller list for months.
I had never heard of Wilbur Smith, but I see that was an accountant who had four different wives over time and had kind of a strange personal life, none of which suggests that his books would be bad. I guess, if you're an accountant, you might want to spice up your life somehow.
I have read every one of Wilbur Smith's books and I'd have never guessed that he was once an accountant. One thing is for certain. Smith knows every detail of Africa and it's wild animals .
I will definitely look for that book. Not because of the gratuitous sex but because I need a really good book to read. So much of what is written nowadays is nothing but trash. I think one of the best books I ever read was, "Island in the Sun."
I liked Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean Auel, being and anthro major. The movie was not good. I am not a lover of fiction, generally
There are several follow up novels to River God. WARLOCK and THE SEVENTH SCROLL. I enjoyed THE SEVENTH SCROLL more than WARLOCK. It is a story of how 2 modern day archeologists search the wilds of Ethiopia in an attempt to find the lost tomb of Pharaoh Mamose.
When it comes to best-ofs, I have a hard time narrowing a very large list down to one. I've read some very good books, many of which I can't even remember the names of. The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogy come to mind, as does Watership Down, although I wasn't so fond of Richard Adams' second book about a bear. In Watership Down, it felt like I was inside the head of the rabbit, but he wasn't able to accomplish that with a bear. Several of Orson Scott Cards's books and series would rank very high, as would John Steinbeck. I thought some of the ones that didn't become so well know were better than the ones on the book lists.
I have to add Clan of the Cave Bears, The Hobbit, and Watership Down to my list. I like the whole Clan of the Cave Bear series. Didn't Orson Scott Card write Logan's Run?
No. The movie, "Ender's Game" was from one of his book series, although the movie didn't come close to equaling the books.
Not a concern. I liked the skills displayed in the book. In my youth, I had a few dirty moves in case of emergency. Sometimes luck and practiced skill helps. How about that movie Enough!
My grandmother said that the best novel she ever read was "Magic Mountain" by Thomas Mann. So, we are German. She read it in the original German. I am guessing it is very good in English as well. I tried to get through it a few times...but, for whatever reason (not the writing), I got busy with other things. But passing it along, if you haven't read it. Her brother was a playwright in Germany, friend of Kurt Weil (knew Brecht, but not that well). So, you know, she was a from a cultured background. She was very well read...if she said it was good, it probably was...