Ghost Fire is a piece of historical fiction that takes place in 1754 and starts in India (though throughout the book we get glimpses of the American Colonies, France, and maybe Canada). The storyline is split in two, as we follow siblings Theo and Constance Courtney and experience their adventures and where their lives takes them after the death of their parents. This book has war, politics, love, sex, different cultural experiences, and even a redemption story.
Ghost Fire is a good book. I enjoyed reading it. You can tell this is Wilbur Smith's milieu, the way he effortlessly writes one scene to the next - it feels almost like stream-of-consciousness, yet one can see in the detail how every word of every scene is meticulously planned out.
As for the characters, Theo Courtney is very well-written. Wilbur Smith writes him in such a way as to allow the reader to watch him grow from timid child to war hero. His experiences are varied, and everything he does contributes to him becoming a great leader.
I had an issue with the way Constance was written. I understand this is 1754 Imperial England (and, thus, a "man's world"), but the way she was portrayed is a complete injustice. She could have been the female hero we are looking for; instead, the author takes very chance he has to make her look weak.The only weapon she has at her disposal is her sexuality, when in reality her character is more than beautiful; she is smart, resourceful, and strong. Wilbur Smith should have taken these aspects of her personality into account more often. The most disappointing part is that it seems as though he thinks he is, when clearly he is not.
Overall, Ghost Fire is a good book. If you are looking for a piece of action-driven, historical fiction that will keep wanting to find out what happens next, this is the book for you. Unfortunately, you will have to deal with the disappointing portrayal of Constance Courtney along the way.
Ghost Fire is a good book. I enjoyed reading it. You can tell this is Wilbur Smith's milieu, the way he effortlessly writes one scene to the next - it feels almost like stream-of-consciousness, yet one can see in the detail how every word of every scene is meticulously planned out.
As for the characters, Theo Courtney is very well-written. Wilbur Smith writes him in such a way as to allow the reader to watch him grow from timid child to war hero. His experiences are varied, and everything he does contributes to him becoming a great leader.
I had an issue with the way Constance was written. I understand this is 1754 Imperial England (and, thus, a "man's world"), but the way she was portrayed is a complete injustice. She could have been the female hero we are looking for; instead, the author takes very chance he has to make her look weak.The only weapon she has at her disposal is her sexuality, when in reality her character is more than beautiful; she is smart, resourceful, and strong. Wilbur Smith should have taken these aspects of her personality into account more often. The most disappointing part is that it seems as though he thinks he is, when clearly he is not.
Overall, Ghost Fire is a good book. If you are looking for a piece of action-driven, historical fiction that will keep wanting to find out what happens next, this is the book for you. Unfortunately, you will have to deal with the disappointing portrayal of Constance Courtney along the way.