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The Sunbird
- Narrated by: Piers Hampton
- Length: 21 hrs and 37 mins
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The Sunbird
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Summary
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.
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What listeners say about The Sunbird
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 23-03-24
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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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Placeholder
- 14-04-22
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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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- MR N.
- 18-07-22
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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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 10-05-19
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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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Street
- 30-11-19
Superb
Once again Wilbur Smith has produced an amazing story, Piers Hampton performs well so all told a great buy.
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- Marioncostadelsol
- 21-09-21
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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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Pbee570
- 04-03-21
Sunbirds over the horizons
Enjoyed this immensely, though I had forgotten that Wilbur Smith doesn't do chapters... 😂
Two great stories blended into one epic tale spanning the centuries. I found that I wanted even more.
A classic tale.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- DJCurno
- 15-01-22
A timeless classic
1st read this at my father’s insistence over 30 years ago. Loved it way back then. Took the plunge and used a credit to listen this and have not been disappointed. Brilliant story from a master
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 13-01-22
Brilliant!!
Great story. Superb listen. Just gutted it’s over! Brilliantly read by Piers Hampton!! Now searching for my next Wilbur Smith audible.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Jacquie Rogers
- 25-07-22
Stunning after all these years
I loved The Sunbird when I first read it, probably nearly fifty years ago. Over the years I reread it, but was hesitant to download the Audible version, fearing to find the story racist and misogynistic.
Well yes, it is a book of its time (early seventies), and women, disabled people and blacks are put in their place. But under the contemporary terms, Smith wrote a book revealing the terrible cost of discrimination against all minorities. This is a book about the price of servitude, and the potential unforeseen costs of liberation.
And the story still explodes off the page. Completely compelling, utterly captivating: the cleverly handled dual timelines take the reader on a twisting ruthless What-If across the history of Southern Africa, revealing the vulnerability of even the strongest regimes.
I loved The Sunbird then, I love it still. A brilliant book, highly recommended.
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