Tributes have been pouring in following the death of acclaimed international author Wilbur Smith. The 88-year-old passed away in Cape Town with his wife Niso by his side.
Smith was a Zambian-born South African writer specialising in historical fiction.
Described as one of the best adventure storytellers in the world, Smith sold more than 140 million books, in a myriad of languages over his decades-long career. His first novel, and instant bestseller, ‘When the Lion Feeds’, was published in 1964. Fans of Smith say his death is a great loss to the literary world.
Here’s what some people had to say.
For Africa and for South Africa, it’s really a loss, but I think he will be remembered for his work that he left us.”
“His first books especially made you excited to be South African and take you into the countryside and adventurous and I was young then so it was everything, that real page-turner.”
“I didn’t know that he had passed. It’s quite sad, but his works will live on, his books will live on and I think they are as relevant today as they were when they were written.”
Tributes have also been flooding in on social media, with readers and authors alike, describing Smith as an epic writer and storyteller.
Wilbur Smith has died at 88. Loved his books about Africa years ago.
— Glenn Holmes (@Mountaingoat55) November 14, 2021
So farewell the Wilbur Smith,who died today. I spent many happy hours banged up in various prisons in my twenties in the company of Wilbur’s characters from those early South African novels. It was a great way to escape the pain of confinement. Thank you Mr Smith.May you RIP.
— The Real Peter Wayne (@TheRealPeterWa1) November 14, 2021
Rip Wilbur Smith.
— Emmanuel Mboroma Barracuda| Service above self-Int (@NgosaMboroma) November 14, 2021
Rip Wilbur Smith.
— Emmanuel Mboroma Barracuda| Service above self-Int (@NgosaMboroma) November 14, 2021
Tribute reading for the next few days: Wilbur Smith, died yesterday – farewell to the African Lion of fiction and adventure.
My favourites from his books, to re-read “A Sparrow Falls” (Courtney series) and “River God” (got me interested in Egypt, its history and travels there).— N.T.Arunkumar (NTAK) (@ntarunkumar) November 14, 2021