Shout at the Devil

By Wilbur Smith

Wilbur Smith's adventure tales are big, bold and unforgettable. In SHOUT AT THE DEVIL, the New York Times bestselling master storyteller takes us to a brutal paradise engulfed in the fires of civilization's war...

A MAN ON HIS OWN
They couldn't be anymore different: an earnest young Englishman named Sebastian Oldsmith and an Irish American adventurer named Flynn O'Flynn who never encounters a rule he doesn't break. Fate brings them together in Zanzibar. A sadistic German turns them into allies, then into warriors.

A WOMAN IN LOVE
From the moment Rosa O'Flynn lays eyes on Sebastian, Rosa finds the man she would love forever—never mind what plans her father has for her. But imperialism is shaking Mozambique, where O'Flynn is the craftiest, fiercest beast in the jungle. And when Rosa and Sebastian lose what is most precious, they join a band of rogues, natives, wanderers, and hunters to start their own war against an enemy who has nothing to fear—and everything to lose...

A HUNT FOR THE MOST DANGEROUS PREY OF ALL
From the sound and sight of a charging bull elephant to ships ablaze on the Indian Ocean, this is a full throttle saga of survival—against nature, man, and the devil himself...

"Action is Wilbur Smith's game, and he is a master."
—The Washington Post Book World

"[Wilbur Smith] puts the reader right there with details that are intimate, inspiring, horrifying…. Fans will be happy to know Smith hasn't lost his touch for the dramatic, exotic adventure story."
—The Orlando Sentinel

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
• Release date: Aug 29, 2006
• ISBN: 9781429997980

Wilbur Smith

Wilbur Smith was born in Central Africa in 1933. He became a full-time writer in 1964 after the successful publication of When the Lion Feeds, and has since written over thirty novels, all meticulously researched on his numerous expeditions worldwide. His books are now translated into twenty-six languages. For all the latest information on Wilbur visit his website: www.wilbursmithbooks.com  To learn about the Wilbur and Niso Smith Foundation visit: www.wilbur-niso-smithfoundation.org

Reviews for Shout at the Devil

[bridgey_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Wilbur Smith always seems to be one of those authors I think I will really like but he never captures me like other authors in the same genre. I can't really say what the reason is, the plots sound brilliant and the subject matter is my usual read, I guess we haven't clicked for the few books I have recently read and may never do, but I can see me always drifting back to him.Shout at the Devil have an ivory poacher called Patrick O'Flynn who just also happens to be a bit of a conman/rogue. He comes across Sebastian and convinces him to work as his assistant poaching Ivory and goods from the German army. However, the leader of the army in that area is a man called Fleischer who is an arch enemy of O'Flynn, when he finds out who is behind the poaching he orders barbaric reprisals. With each side despising the other a bitter rivalry breaks out, but when the course of the war could be altered the stakes are even higher.I think the main issue with this book as that I was never totally sure what it was supposed to be. At times a comedy and at others a hard hitting adventure novel. For me, these didn't really mix all that well and it needed to be one or the other. This meant I tended to gloss over the comedy (which I didn't really find that funny) to try and get back to the action. It was an ok read but one I was glad to see end.

[schmerguls · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Until this month I had never heard of this author, even though he has written over 30 books. This book was published in 1968 and in the U.S. in 1977. I was unenchanted by the first half of the book, as the characters seemed woodenly drawn and preposterous (and they are). But the second half of the book is concerned with events after t he beginning of World War One and is fast-moving and intense. Since important people die one is unsure as to what will be the outcome of the daring action of he main character planting a bomb on a German cruiser being repaired. In the Rover Boys books (which the first part ot the book remineded me of), one always knew that the boys would survive and triumph. The outcome of this book could not be known and thus there is real tension as the story proceeds. There are also nice humorous touches, which add to the story's appeal.

[chromiumdomium · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I won't bore anyone with a synopsis of what this book is about the jacket writers are far more qualified than I to impart that information. I will say that if you enjoy novels that give you a sense of chaos and energy and do not try to be to be too introspective whilst protraying the cruelties of life approaching WW1 then I think you'll enjoy this. The part of Flynn 'O' Flynn, portrayed brilliantly by Lee Marvin in the film, is brilliantly written and worth the read alone. I've read every other Wilbur Smith book and have been extremely critical of his latest works. I'm so glad I completed my journey with this novel. Reading this reminded me why I enjoyed the majority of his earlier works so much and convinced me that it wasn't just a mistake in my thinking. This novel, is full of fun and subterfuge, great characterisation and a plot line that, whilst not actually totaly believable, has enough credibility to enable you to forgive and enjoy. Anyone who's seen the film of the same name will know the story, but should read it anyway, this is Wilbur Smith in his pomp and obviously having fun with his craft. I truly hope that he can produce another like this before he stops writing but if not, I must thank him for many a summers' read. I typically take a Wilbur Smith novel with me when going abroad for a week or two on holiday. It's been a few years since I enjoyed one of his books so much.

[theoclarke · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Starting as broad comedy, this adventure becomes a bleak unfolding of the macabre.

[stpnwlf · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Outstanding Smith adventure set in Africa during WWI.