A Falcon Flies cover art

A Falcon Flies

The Ballantyne Series, Book 1

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A Falcon Flies

By: Wilbur Smith
Narrated by: Elliot Chapman
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About this listen

A Falcon Flies is the first best-selling novel in Wilbur Smith's epic tale of Africa, The Ballantyne Novels.

In search of a father they barely remember, Zouga and Dr Robyn Ballantyne board Mungo St John's magnificent clipper to speed them to Africa. But long before they sight that mighty continent, Robyn knows that she and Mungo will battle with all the fury of natural enemies - and love with all the desperation of those unable to evade the commands of fate. For if she can bring hope and healing to Africa's fever-ridden shores, he, a lawless trader in human cargo, will possess any man - or woman - he chooses....

Set in 1860, this gripping tale is followed by Men of Men, The Angels Weep and The Leopard Hunts in Darkness.

©1980 Wilbur Smith (P)2018 Audible, Ltd Action & Adventure Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Romance Africa
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Most relevant
I realized I read this book years ago, long enough that I couldn’t recall the story line, so the book was just as an enjoyable read as the first. The way Smith describes encounters in the book leads you to feeling immersed in the story and needing to keep listening till the end. Will definitely read the next in the series.

Compelling story.

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The slaughter of the elephants was too much for me. It made me feel sick and I had to skip over it. Other than that it was a good story.

It made me sad

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A full-blooded book that tracks the story in Africa of the Ballantynes ending with Craig Mellow in The Leopard Hunts in Darkness. A thrilling tale completely out of odds with 21st century 'woke' culture. Not for the faint-hearted.

A fantastic beginning to the Ballantyne saga!!

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Enjoyed the book very much though not as much as the previous Wilbur Smith books I have read.

A Good Read!

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As always, this story gives great insight into the slave trade in Africa, the exploration of “Zambezia” (great Zimbabwe Ruins) and Matabeleland, the adventures of Slave traders and bold actions of heroic sailors fighting to end the trade of human misery.

It also offers historic insight into the tribes and culture of the greater Zulu and Matabele people.

A most enjoyable tale by Africa’s great writer weaved with the humour and delights of the Hottentot and early Cape settlers.

Another compelling African story

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It wasn’t until I was well into this audio book that I realised I had read the book many years ago. From that point on it felt a bit dated and never quite lived up to what I remember of the original novel.

I guess that teaches me to check the original publishing date before buying and downloading an audio book which appears to be something new (well done, Audible marketing department) but in fact is the rehash of a popular book from 30+ years in the past.

Oh I’ve read this years ago

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Although it is the first in the series, I hadn’t read/listened to it before as I have so many of the Courtney novels and some of the later Ballantyne’s.
If it was intentional for the author to make these two Ballantyne’s unlikeable in the least, then for me he totally succeeded.

Zouga’s selfish, conceited greed I could cope with… Robyn’s prudish, pious, judgemental and many times thoughtless (followed up with ‘I never meant that to happen when it was glaringly obvious it would) nature irritated me to distraction.

The narrator did a fantastic job with the many characters and varied accents.

Glad I didn’t read this first in the series

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Way too many incredible co-incidences, lucky breaks and unlucky breaks for my liking. A borderline swashbuckling bodice-ripper complete with stereotypical protagonists and antagonists.

Ye Olde School Romantic Novel

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What went wrong Wilbur? I had to return this book after a couple of chapters because it was unbearable! It read like some B Grade romance novel with the female protagonist depicted as a scatterbrain who doesn’t know her own mind when it comes to a handsome man YET was apparently smart enough to sneak her way through medical school while posing as a boy for years. Pleeease! And don’t get me started on the Narration. Elliot Chapman sounds like some sort of English dandy! His voice is totally unsuitable for this type of story... what happened to Sean who read the Courtney series? This is one series I definitely won’t be reading. 🤨

Such a disappointment after reading the Courtney Series ☹️

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