Birds of Prey (Smith novel)

Birds of Prey is a 1997 novel by Wilbur Smith set in the late 17th century.[1] The novel was the first in the third sequence of the Courtney series of novels, and as of 2013 was chronologically the first in the entire series.

Birds of Prey
First US edition
AuthorWilbur Smith
CountrySouth Africa
LanguageEnglish
SeriesThe Courtney Novels
GenreAdventure
PublisherPan MacMillan
Publication date
1997
Preceded byGolden Fox 
Followed byMonsoon 

Smith says the book established the characteristics of the family: "Right from Birds of Prey... the Courtneys were pirates, merchants, looking to seize the main chance. They were very much driven by monetary considerations. But with the Ballantynes it was much more empire, patriotism, glory – the soldierly virtues."[2]

Plot

In 1667 Holland is at war with England. Sir Francis Courteney and his son Hal attack ships of the Dutch East India Company off the coast of Africa. They are betrayed and Sir Francis is executed. Hal winds up working for Prester John.

Adaptation

Film and television rights to the book were bought by Corona Pictures, but as of 2013 no adaptation has been filmed.[3]

References
  1. Birds of Prey at Wilbur Smith's website
  2. "Greatest Historical Novelist of Our Time? Richard Lee's 2005 interview with WILBUR SMITH", Historical Novel Society accessed 18 May 2013
  3. "Birds of Prey – TV", Tibor & Jones Associates Archived 2014-11-29 at the Wayback Machine accessed 18 May 2013


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