Wilbur Smith's "Courtney" novels form a sprawling saga that follows the Courtney family's adventures and misfortunes from the 18th to the late 20th century. This series, rich in historical detail and thrilling action, has captivated readers for generations.
The Courtney family members and their subsequent offspring are the featured protagonists in the respective Courtney series of books authored by Wilbur Smith. Sometimes the books contained therein are simply titled Courtney, albeit numbered. This series, which features several generations and transcends centuries, has an autobiographical element.
The series is shelved under the historical fiction and adventure fiction genres.
The Courtney family tree spans generations of adventure and intrigue.
The Beginnings: Sean and Garrick Courtney
The first book in the Courtney series is "When the Lion Feeds", which was also the first book Wilbur Smith had published. It was released in 1964 and is set between the 1860s and the 1890s during the Anglo-Zulu War. "When the Lion Feeds" introduces the reader to Sean and Garrick Courtney, brothers who, while completely different personality-wise, are closer than most.
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The first book in the series, Courtney 1, starts in the wake of the births of Sean Courtney and Garrick. Sean and Garrick, who are twins, are unique in their own right. For instance, physically, Sir Garrick Courtney Sr resembles a girl and his pink eyes are evident of recurring allergic rhinitis. Contrary, Sir Sean Courtney Sr taller is tall, heavy and well build. Previously working in a farm, he proved his mettle in the 1879 Anglo-Zulu War.
While various setbacks conspire to hold the brothers back, including Garrick losing a limb, it is what happens during their battles during the war that ultimately changes the course of both their lives. "When the Lion Feeds" looks at what happens to two paths when they meet a fork in the road, and what large differences a small decision can ultimately make to two lives. To this day, Smith claims this is one of his favorite books, purely because it was the first one he had published.
Following "When the Lion Feeds", Smith continued the story of Sean and Garrick Courtney in "The Sound of Thunder", which was published in 1966. Smith then took over a decade to complete the story of the brothers with the publication of "A Sparrow Falls", which was published in 1977.
Centaine de Thiry Courtney and Beyond
Following the success of the story of the Courtney brothers, Smith continued the story of the Courtney family in "The Burning Shore", which was published in 1985. It is set during World War One, with the introduction of Michael Courtney, who falls for a French woman named Centaine, whom he plans to marry. However, tragedy befalls the couple, and the pregnant Centaine heads off trying to change the course of her life, and ends up on a journey that will change her forever.
"The Burning Shore" was followed up in 1986 by "Power of the Sword", which is set during World War Two. We again meet Centaine, who now has a family to care for. "Power of the Sword" charts the ups and downs of Centaine and her sons. "Rage", which was published in 1987, is the next book in the series, followed by "A Time To Die", which was published in 1987, followed by "Golden Fox", which was published in 1990.
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The Pirate Beginnings
The final part of the Courtney series begins with "Birds of Prey", which is set in the 1660s. While it is the ninth book published in the Courtney series, it is, chronologically, the first book in the series. It looks at the beginnings of the Courtney family and how they were pirates. We are introduced to Sir Francis Courtney and his son, Hal, as they attack the vessels of the Dutch East India Company. However, when the father and son are betrayed, things start to spiral out of control.
"Birds of Prey" was followed by "Monsoon", which was published in 1999. "Blue Horizon" followed in 2003, which brings the story up to the 1730s. "The Triumph of the Sun" crosses the Courtney series and Smith’s Ballantyne series and was published in 2005.
Themes and Wilbur Smith's Mastery
Basically, the plot in the serialized Courtney revolves around the Courtney family tree. Ordinarily, the said series starts from the first generation of the Courtneys; through the second generation, third, forth, fifth, sixth, and seventh generations. It begins especially with the Waite Courtney and Alice Courtney, male and female, respectively, and parents who begat twins Garrick Courtney and Sean Courtney; and the last entry in the series, "The Golden Lion" ends especially with Henry Courtney.
All in all, the story of the Courtney family members might not be necessarily an out-and-out rags-to-riches story. Generally, the book shows the twins’ formative years, young adulthood, and their ambitions which, in the run-up to the said war, (notably Sean’s ambition) was merely becoming prosperous cattle farmers and well-versed in fighting. The dark side of wars, heroic wartime actions, and merrymaking are notable themes, and the series cements Wilbur Smith’s writing masterly in adventure stories; it won Wilbur Smith a sport shooting award. Wilbur Smith has been hailed as a notable voice for sport hunting activities. It is in this light that, in 2002, Smith clinched the Sport Shooting Award from WFSA.
Adaptations
Many books authored by Wilbur Smith have been made into movies and TV series. Wilbur Smith’s 1965 epic novel was made into a movie which was released in 1968, which is sometimes called "The Mercenaries". Australian actor Rod Taylor alongside American actress Yvette Mimieux are the starring actors. Smith’s 1970 book titled "Gold Mine" was turned into a movie; it was released in 1974, titled "Gold", and the starring is Roger Moore and co-star Susanna York. His 1971 book titled "The Diamond Hunters" became the 1975 film called "The Kingfisher Caper"; Hayley Mills is the starring. His 1968 standalone book was filmed and produced in 1976 with similar title, with Lee Marvin and Roger Moore as starring actors. The 1979 novel "Wild Justice" has a film adaptation also called "Wild Justice" (1994). The Burning Shore novel and film, produced in 1985 and 1991, respectively, stars Isabella Gelinas. There are also TV series. "The Diamond Hunters", a TV series, was released in 2001 and the starring is Sean Patrick Flanery. Another TV series is "Wild Justice" or "Covert Assassin", released in 1994. There is a 1999 TV series called "The Seventh Scroll" also starring Roy Scheider; it is based on Wilbur Smith’s 1993 book called "River God" and the 1995 one called "The Seventh Scroll".
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Must-Read Books in the Courtney Series
The following are two of the best books in the Courtney series. Courtney 1 and Sound of Thunder. Sound of Thunder: This is the second book in the Courtney series and was published in 1966. Hereby, Sean Courtney is looking forward to family life and has farming ambitions after a stint fighting the Boers. But his other chagrined twin brother, Garrick, whom he has overshadowed his whole life is hellbent on scuttling Sean’s efforts.
Complete Book Order
Below is the list of the Courtney Series books in order:
- King of Kings
- Storm Tide
- Birds of Prey
- Golden Lion
- Monsoon
- Blue Horizon
- The Tiger's Prey
- Ghost Fire
- The Triumph of the Sun
- Assegai
- When the Lion Feeds
- The Sound of Thunder
- A Sparrow Falls
- The Burning Shore
- Power of the Sword
- Rage
- A Time to Die
- Golden Fox
- War Cry
- Courtney's War
- Legacy of War
- Warrior King
- Fire on the Horizon
People who read the Courtney series were also interested in the following series. The first one is “The Starbuck Chronicles” authored by Bernard Cornwell; like the Courtney series, it is historical and features protagonist Nathaniel Starbuck, a confederate army officer, in the American Civil War. Another one is the “Eagle” series written by Simon Scarrow; this features military officers loyal to the Imperial Roman Army during Roman Emperor Claudius’ era.
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