A Falcon Flies cover art

A Falcon Flies

The Ballantyne Series, Book 1

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A Falcon Flies

By: Wilbur Smith
Narrated by: Elliot Chapman
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About this listen

A Falcon Flies is the first best-selling novel in Wilbur Smith's epic tale of Africa, The Ballantyne Novels.

In search of a father they barely remember, Zouga and Dr Robyn Ballantyne board Mungo St John's magnificent clipper to speed them to Africa. But long before they sight that mighty continent, Robyn knows that she and Mungo will battle with all the fury of natural enemies - and love with all the desperation of those unable to evade the commands of fate. For if she can bring hope and healing to Africa's fever-ridden shores, he, a lawless trader in human cargo, will possess any man - or woman - he chooses....

Set in 1860, this gripping tale is followed by Men of Men, The Angels Weep and The Leopard Hunts in Darkness.

©1980 Wilbur Smith (P)2018 Audible, Ltd Action & Adventure Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Romance Africa

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All stars
Most relevant
Another brilliant saga from Wilbur Smith. The characters are well drawn, and the story gripping against the backdrop of slavery, missionaries and white expansion into the heart of Africa. Sometimes the story was too reliant on coincidence and occasionally the improbable twists left me thinking "whatever next?" and the old-fashioned misogynistic character portrayals grated but overall it was enormous fun.

Excellent

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Mostly an enjoyable listen. Excellent descriptions as is usual with Smith. But I found the character of Robyn Ballantyne so annoying that I had both to force myself to listen through her various stupidities and hypocrisies and to suck it up when she does not get her just deserts. I probably won't buy the second in the series, although I'd listen to it if it were included with membership at any point.

Well written. Instructive abt 19th century Africa

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I read this book 20yrs ago and it was fantastic then as it is now. The narrator however could've tried a little harder with the Zulu and Afrikaans pronunciation.
He murdered the languages almost as badly as Zouga tore into the elephants

Narrator struggled with the foreign language

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Warning I needed to skip some parts of the slavery, barbarism and hunting. I can believe this is accurate for what they suffered, if only in art.

Difficult and mesmerising

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I love Wilbur Smith books but found this a bit boring at times. I will continue with the next book though and hope it livens up. The narration is mostly good but it would have been better if the African words had been pronounced properly.

Slow going

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