The Triumph of the Sun: A Novel (Courtney Family Adventures) Mass Market Paperback – April 4, 2006

Triumph of the Sun is a solid read for fans of historical fiction. In reality, the novel should have been two books because the entire story changes after the siege of Khartoum ends. Character development is rather poor, our two main protagonists Ryder Courtney and Penrod Ballantyne are acceptable action heroes but the story leaves them for large patches at a time, in particular Ryder who was for me the more interesting character even if I liked Penrod more. This is the first Wilbur Smith novel I've read so I don't know if he can't write women or just failed miserably with the primary female protagonist Rebecca Benbrook. I was surprised to see the book was published in 2005 as many of the references to the Arabs in the story border on racist and/or stereotypes you might imagine direct from Hollywood Arab villain casting. And while the novel is set in the 19th century where you may imagine some (or all) of the English characters may have held these views it is the tone of the all seeing narrator who continues to reinforce them even going so far as to allude to the English sexual prowess as being large and the Arab being small. I don't know how the 19th Century Arabs in the Sudan spoke to each other but certainly every paragraph doesn't need to contain praises about Allah to each other. Surely they spoke about something else. This leaves almost all the Arab characters as one dimensional except those who actively assist the English characters.These are annoying problems but not fatal to the enjoyment of the novel as Smith certainly does know Africa and it is here where the words really jump off the page. I found the elephant hunts fascinating, I never knew that the tribesman hunted them with broadswords as a test of their ability. There are not many battle scenes but the British march into the desert against repeated charges by the Mahdist cavalry was high adventure. Smith is clearly well versed on the Nile and every time action is taking place on the river I found it engaging and quite the page turner. As mentioned above Penrod is probably my favorite character in the novel even if he is a bit too much the roguish Hussar great at martial arms and women and we don't get much to him beyond that. Still, the story really moves when it is told from his perspective. Ryder, the civilian merchant, has more depth to his character and we learn all types of interesting things about Africa when the story is told from his point of view but he is absent from great portions of the book and I find it a key plot hole why his steamer is missing from Khartoum when the main attack comes considering his attachments to some of the characters left there.A flawed but ultimately worthwhile adventure story that will likely appeal to fans of historical fiction or stories of colonial Africa. The story itself is likely worth three stars but it is raised another star by the sheer amount of detail packed into the pages as Mr. Smith clearly has an excellent grasp on the history upon which he is writing.

Have read many novels Wilbur Smith, his books are real page turners. They have so much history and keep you wanting more.

I had become disappointed in later novels by Wilbur Smith. But this one brings back the color and adventure of the earlier Courtney novels. This is a page turner.

Wilbur Smith’s imagery is exceptional. He brings colonial Africa to live like no other author I know. Fast paced story telling and very compelling characters make for a very enjoyable read for those interested in colonial Africa and the values of that time.

No Author does as well as Wilbur Smith when it comes to setting stories in Africa. Being a native, he captures the culture, conflicts and politics of the land and makes them fresh for the reader. What is amazing is that he does so for widely differing times and locals. This book is such an example.It takes place primarily in the Sudan during the Dervish uprisings of the late 1800s. It is a desert piece set in fairly recent times. This contrasts with his stories of ancient Egypt in its relative modernity. It also contrasts with most of his other works set in South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Where there is no contrast is in the quality of the story.Khartoum is under siege by the Mahdi. Gen. Chinese Gordon is trying to hold out until a British relief column arrives. Among those under his protection are the British consul and his three daughters. He also has the help of Ryder Courtney, a trader, and Penrod Ballantyne, a queen's officer. The two don't get along very well but each is extremely competent. Each is also in love with the oldest of the daughters.The first half of the book is devoted to the struggles which take place during the siege but history dictates that Khartoum must fall and a bloodbath ensues. The remainder of the book chronicles the happenings of the three young girls and their would be rescuers.The names of Courtney and Ballantyne will be familiar to Smith fans. Each family has several books written about their fictional exploits. The families have sometimes met in other books but they have never been intertwined as much as in this one.Its an exciting book that is well written.

I'm a HUGE Wilbur Smith fan and have been ever since I was given A Time To Die about 16 years ago, coincidentally from a friend from Zambia. I have probably read and re-read every book by Wilbur Smith and most of them are falling apart from the use. I think at the very least, he's a masterful storyteller with unparalleled character development...usually. Two books in recent years I felt could have been much better are Warlock and now this one, The Triumph of the Sun. Warlock interjected all this sci-fi "magic" into what was already a magical story, and I felt it cheapened the entire plot and was a terrible way to end the Taita saga. I've not picked that book up since I first read it. This book had very un-Wilbur like character development....you just never feel you know anyone in this story beyond the surface. Everyone is an acquaintance. In other books by Wilbur, even the flawed and "bad" characters you feel you know and understand - in this book, it's hard to really get into caring about these characters. Although the book does get personal about the people in it, the characters don't reach out through the pages like most of his other books. I finished the book thinking it was mildly entertaining, but definitely not worth the 2-year wait for it, and a book I am probably not going to pick up again. It definitely has a future collecting dust on my Wilbur Smith shelf along with Warlock, while I'm sure the others I will continue to read over and over again. I don't know...Wilbur just didn't get there this time for me, wasn't his best work I feel.

I give this 5 stars because, as a stand-alone book, it's a typical very enjoyable book by Wilbur Smith and up to his usual standard for adventure writing. However, it falls down seriously on accuracy when read alongside the title that follows it, King of Kings. I read King of Kings first and then read Triumph of the Sun as it sets the scene for the subsequent title. Everything was fine until the closing chapters and particularly the relationship between two of the main characters and what the future holds for another. I won't spoil it for other readers by naming them but the story line in this novel is completely at odds with that in King of Kings. I would suggest that these two books should be read as individual stories not as part of a series. Such a shame for such a brilliant author.

I am reading Wilbur Smiths "The Courtney Series". I have now read 12 out of the 19 books in this series and they are all very good reads. This one, in particular, is a fantastic adventure which keeps you turning the pages. You can almost see all the characters and you can feel the pain, joy, love, disaster and the near misses. A book like this really makes you feel like you are there alongside the heros and villans, feeling hot, hungry and thirsty!I fully reccomend that you get a list and read them in chronological order. The first book in the series is based in the 1660's. This one, "The Triumph Of The Sun" is in the 1880's.Another tip, from me, is don't read them in bed when you are tired, as you will end up with sore eyes!!

A lovely story with great pace. Quite a bit of violence some quite graphic. Smith is one of the greatest storytellers in my opinion. I have read most of his books when this one three times at least. His characters and locations are always well described and his stories draw you in to the point when you don't want to put them down. It won't suit everyone but if you love an interesting and well told story this could be for you.

This book contains elements of fact and fiction which helps to make the reading very interesting and without doubt enjoyable. The book had many adventures, atrocities, twists, turns, conflicts, adult themes and many other actions.I thoroughly enjoyed the book and found myself checking on the names identified in the story along with the named geographical areas through either Wikipedia or Google Earth to give me a further insight into the real named characters and locations making certain made references to events actually appear realistic and exciting.

A good story and very entertaining. I've read 30 of Wilbur Smith's novels and he writes to a formula which he uses in most of his books. The stories are based on historical events and accurately follows them with a few deviations to let the story flow. This book is no exception. If you want a good entertaining read this book does the job whether as a seasoned Wilbur Smith fan or a newbie.