• When the Lion Feeds

  • The Courtneys, Book 1
  • By: Wilbur Smith
  • Narrated by: Sean Barrett
  • Length: 17 hrs and 3 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (634 ratings)

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When the Lion Feeds  By  cover art

When the Lion Feeds

By: Wilbur Smith
Narrated by: Sean Barrett
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Publisher's summary

It is the 1870s, and twin brothers Sean and Garrick Courtney are born into the wilds of Natal. They could not be more different, and fate, war and the jealous schemes of a woman are to drive them even further apart. But as history unfolds, a continent is awakening. And on the horizon is the promise of fortune, adventure, destiny and love....

When the Lion Feeds is the best-selling novel that launched Wilbur Smith's stellar career and the first in the riveting saga of the Courtney brothers.

©1964 Wilbur Smith (P)2018 Audible, Ltd

What listeners say about When the Lion Feeds

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great adventure and searing human drama

Really great read, can't wait to start book 2 in the Courteney series. Fortunately there was relatively little elephant hunting in these pages, easily speeded through. Wilbur Smith is tremendously talented, ranging from manly high adventure to tragic poetic passages. Don't be surprised if you get choked up a few times.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Don’t miss this great story!

I stumbled upon the author, Wilbur Smith, many years ago. After reading River God I googled him. It turned out he was a prolific writer. The story of the Courtney’s is epic, this is the first book in the series.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Amazing book and narrator

I have read and love all of Wilbur Smith’s books and Sean Barrett makes them even more enjoyable to listen to. Highly recommend!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

a great book

the book starts and develops slowly, but after 1/3 it becomes very good and engaging
i liked it a lot and am going to read more books by this author

also, an outstanding narration

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Still a sensational African story. Excellent plot.

Last read it as a school boy.
Brings back fond memories. The Courtney series is a great read,and flows beautifully.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

pretty good!

A little bit racist, a little bit sexist. There's ivory hunting and medical inaccuracies too. But, it is a good story with a compelling main character that makes me want to try the second book in the series

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Telling a story

How well each character and location were created. By the end of the story I had a solid idea of how each person looked and would react in certain situations. Appreciate the fact that he did not change the way people acted in that period of time to make the PC groups happy.

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Awesome book

Great book with a thrilling story line. It has every emotion all wrapped up with suspense

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Amazing

Didn’t want it to end. Read and listened simultaneously. Narration adds so much to it.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Vivid descriptions

Wonderful descriptions of the times, places. And people. Well narrated. For some reason I had not read this book previously andam really glad to have listened to it.

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