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The Sunbird

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The Sunbird

By: Wilbur Smith
Narrated by: Piers Hampton
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About this listen

A lost civilisation. A curse reborn.

Dr Ben Kazin has only a blurred photograph and a gut instinct that there is a lost city to uncover somewhere beneath the Botswana cliffs. Soon, a whispered curse and a chance encounter with a local tribe lead him to discover much more than city foundations.

The curse, it seems, is real, and will link Ben, his oldest friend and the woman they both love with a forgotten leader from 2,000 years ago, in a city of glory and honour that subsequently disappeared without a trace. But what happened to that ancient civilisation? And what is it that connects that lost empire to Ben and the violent dangers he must face in the present day?

An action-packed archaeological adventure from global best seller Wilbur Smith.

©2019 Wilbur Smith (P)2019 Audible, Ltd
Historical Thriller & Suspense City Suspense
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What listeners say about The Sunbird

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My desert island book…

This was the first novel I read as a young adult, A couple of thousand books later it still may be the best. Astonishingly well written. The two stories weaved together in a compelling narrative. First time I have listened to it and it doesn’t lose quality in the change of medium (I’ll even tolerate the dodgy South African accents). Interesting all these years on to reflect on the socio political sub themes of South Africa as was which run through. Some of the language and nuances are of that era. But I’ll forgive that too. Story telling of the very highest order.

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2 people found this helpful

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An absolutely fabulous read

I have read this book 3 times in my life , the first time when I was 19 the second in my 30 s and this time on audible, it’s beautifully written and achingly sad , it leaves the reader moved and shaken , it’s a must read

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Classic Wilbur adventure at its best

Written in 1972. I’d never heard of it. I’m a big fan of the River God, and Seventh Scroll. If you like those, you will LOVE this.

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  • Overall
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Staggering

One of the most remarkable books of historical fiction from the master story teller Wilbur Smith which, although already read twice years ago, achieved a new level with this incredible narration.

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14 people found this helpful

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Superb

Once again Wilbur Smith has produced an amazing story, Piers Hampton performs well so all told a great buy.

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Cracking story!!

After a rather slow or what seemed to be a laboured start; this brilliant tale kept me spellbpund with the author's usual mastery of descriptive language, engaging characters and sheer gripping storytelling.
Well done that narrator!!

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amazing story

this is a wonderful, imaginative story covering two very different time zones, beautifully read by the narrator . I couldn't put it down.

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Magic

Wilbur Smith's finest work. Comparible only to River God. When I first read this in my teens, I fell in love with it. It had everything I wanted from a book; archeology, history, battle, gods, everything that made my heart beat just a little faster. I hadn't read the book for over 20 years, and downloaded it with trepidation, concerned that it would no longer hold magic. But, I'm delighted to say, it's still wonderful, and brought to life by an absolutely fantastic performance by the narrator. This book inspired me to be a writer. And now I am, having written three novels and a number of plays and screenpays.

Www.bjedwards.co.uk

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29 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

The struggle for freedom that I needed to read.

It all started all super white supremacist and ended up sounding like a successful Shaka Zulu tale. Well done, Wilbur Smith.
Any society that insists on keeping slaves deserves to be destroyed even in fiction.

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  • Overall
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Tiring

The authors limited range of emotional depth turns the story more repetitious before the second half.

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