Wilbur Smith is a master storyteller. He has the rare gift of making every word count, and Blue Horizon is no exception.
I love the way that Smith maintains the pace throughout his novels. There is no slackening; no time to draw breath; and at no time does the flow slow to a trickle.
Blue Horizon, first published in 2003, is chronologically earlier than previous novels in the Courtney series, covering a period in the early 1700s. That was initially confusing for me, but the plot stands powerfully in its own right and doesn’t require a previous or later novel to set the context.
There are typical Smith trademarks of young men growing up into fine leaders and warriors; discovering lust and finding equally powerful women to share their life journeys.
The pattern runs a risk of stereotyping, I suppose, but the yarn is always so well told that you have to forgive him for travelling a well-worn road.
The action just never lets up. It starts in the Netherlands with plague and fetish. A Dutch convict woman is rescued from her harsh fate by Jim COurtney when her prison ship docks in Table Bay. They then run ahead of vengeance from law officers who develop an irrational hatred, born from rivalry, for the young Courtney.
Add to the brew a parallel plot involving Dorian Courtney, who lays claim to the throne of the sultanate of Oman, with support from his son Mansur. Their plans are derailed by Dorian’s evil brother Guy. The whole escapade ends in a fierce battle in a remote port, where the good guys win.
There are fascinating side characters, such as the two bushmen rivals working for opposing camps and their ongoing feud. The Courtney women are strongly portrayed, as usual, with cameos from future generational stars.
I read this book of 770 pages in three nights and could hardly put it down. My only regret is that in haste to order others in the series I went online to Angus and Robertson, only to be told the stock will be delayed. I saw the novels in a bookshop the next day.
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