His editor announced today that the famous South African novelist Wilbur Smith has died in his country at the age of 88.
“World bestselling author Wilbur Smith died unexpectedly this afternoon at his home in Cape Town after a morning of reading and writing with his wife Nessau,” a statement posted on Wilbur Smith Books said.
His monumental novels chronicle his adventures on the African continent, with stories often inspired by his own life.
Smith is best known for publishing his first novel in 1964, When Lions Eat, the story of a young man growing up on a cattle ranch in South Africa, which included 15 sub-parts, in which the author tells of a family’s life for another 200 years.
He has published 49 novels that have been edited around the world.
“In the stories I woven pieces from the beginning of Africa’s history. I wrote about blacks and whites, I wrote about hunting, gold mining, partying, and women,” he recalls in an autobiography posted on his website.
“The undisputed and unparalleled author of the adventure, Wilbur Smith’s novels have garnered readers for more than half a century, selling more than 140 million copies in more than 30 languages worldwide,” the statement read.
In 49 novels published by Smith, he transports his readers to the gold mines of South Africa, piracy in the Indian Ocean, treasures hidden in tropical islands, and the conflicts in Arabia, Khartoum, and Ancient Egypt… Finding diamonds and slaves relentlessly. Merchants and fishermen in the African bush “.
His office tweeted thanks to the “millions of fans around the world who have enjoyed his wonderful writing and joined us on his incredible adventures.”
