‘On Leopard Rock’ must have been posthumously published in Smith’s name. It is his autobiography. As a couple of his works as published/written/completed by third person after his lifetime, my favourite author’s lifestory also disappointed me thoroughly . I think its high time AUTHORS STOP AUTHORIZING ANYONE TO PUBLISH BOOKS IN THEIR NAMES AFTER THEIR LIFETIME. This is because I am sure, if the author may be around, he/she would be editing the manuscript until the nth moment. They may retract their earlier opinions, they may add more to the subject. Plus the pseudonyms of the fictions completed by third parties on behalf of original authors give away themselves. However in this case, my disappointment has got to do more with the author’s lifestyle.
Its true we must not associate the authors with what they preach in their books. Before coming to the subject, let me record here what I liked about Smith’s story. I liked his determination, self-confidence bordering on overconfidence! His fluid imagination and ease of language. His prose like none other! He chartered his own path and remained offbeat throughout his career. His AUTHENTICITY matters to me most. He wrote ONLY FROM HIS PERSONAL EXPERIENCES drawing very little or almost nothing from outside resources. This Smith reiterates in the last many pages of his book: of how it is important for writers to be AUTHENTIC AND PARSIMONIOUS – which means NOT DEPENDING ON INFORMATION SOURCES to build up stories. I think its a big takeaway for all aspiring authors. For me, even if I am just an amateur blogger, its a very useful tip. Even otherwise I don’t lift others’ ideas. But plagiarism is a big headache I know. There are quite a few who may want to slip into others’ shoes faking identities! The originals keep it low! One more thing: being parsimonious means keeping your resources limited, which is kind of akin to being authentic. Here and there you can quote and unquote but nothing more than that passing reference. We simply cannot hijack others’ imagination and intuitivity as our own. Only living a well traveled life and drawing from the experience of the deep well called life can lend your writing the stamp of authenticity.
Secondly I liked the zest for life in the author: how from fishing for marlin in the Atlantic/Pacific to salmon in Alaska, to hunting the king of the jungle lion (in self defence) and from skiing to snorkelling, Smith left no stone unturned when it came to living life to its fullest is awesome. This kind of spirit is infectious. It proves how successful he was around the world that enabled him to live life kingsize. Why he even owned a piece of exotic island in the Seychelles! Got himself a fourth wife half his age! But there stops the admiration for Wilbur Smith the adventurous author for me.
For all the African love that Smith professes and showcased in his works, and for the way he grew up and drank Africa literally, I wish he had done something more to Africa. It looks like he consumed every single penny he made – as connoisseur of choicest wine to big shopper and world class traveler that he was. True, creative people need an alcove to bury themselves in to discover themselves. Still how really empty and hollow his lifestyle sounds to my ears after all his heroics with words. From someone who talks too much, you expect REAL SUBSTANCE IN LIFE. Its not just Smith. Many artistes disappoint us with their actual persona when they cannot measure up to the image they create in the public mind with their works. Their selfishness bores you and saddens you after a point. Its I, Me, Myself out and out. Absolutely zero empathy for any cause. How Smith sounds almost uncaring when writing about apartheid in South Africa appears callous to me. But cleverly he seems to balance it with his reference to kinship with Mandela and at the same time Jon Botha who he incredulously credits with easing the racist policies. He never seems to take a side. He must have been one very politically correct fellow who bothered about only one thing: his name and fame and money. He though seems to have learnt his lesson rubbing shoulders with celebrities of America. In short, there seems to have been the big void of SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN WILBUR SMITH that sounds sorely disappointing.
Until he lived, I had not a single book of his unread. Post his demise, I found that the book published in his name WAS NOT REALLY HIS. Couldn’t have been. Someone killed it. May be a hired author. Or may be a similar author who was writing for a fee his autobiography from notes/manuscripts left behind, left out some good portions that would have shown Wilbur Smith as a better man, a compassionate, empathetic human being.
What always gets on my nerves is how these Brits hunted down virtually most of the stunning wildlife of Africa, India etc. In India, an Englishman drove herds of elephants into ambush and killed over 330 Indian wild elephants in one single day with rifle shots. Its a historical record. Today it is these people who are lecturing the world on conservation. The damage done to Africa is worse. The way Smith talks about his landed estate in Africa also got under my skin. Whose bloody property! Finally he seems to have moved to UK – which sounded good. And look, who is talking about immigration these days.
I respect knowledge, sense of adventure, skills, mastery of arts and sciences etc. But those who don’t have these abilities are in no way less. Its not an open invite for the bolder ones to go and conquer rest of the world. By the same law, reverse immigration is taking place now as Africans and Asians are pouring into Europe and America – in the age of passport and visa. Nature will balance everything and restore the equilibrium. Course correction will happen, whether we like it or not.
All said, the Smith characters are etched in my heart: especially Taita. Thanks to him, I am more and practically educated! Read his books years and years back so I don’t remember details. Incidentally, his first books is what I read first of his as well: When the lion feeds. Sean Courtney is someone I can never forget in my life! Almost fell in love with him in my younger age – never mind he is fictional!
I grew up adoring Smith which is why his lifestyle to me is a big disappointment. I expected him to live a more fruitful life that would have benefited humanity in some way other than by way of his writing. Social responsibility must be the basic commitment for individuals who may be highly influential in any society. When I wrote a review on one of his books ‘the Seventh scroll’ on Egypt, I had an uncanny feeling that Smith read that. I saw many hits from South Africa and UK. There were repeated hits going on for days. I can’t explain how or why. I just knew in my heart that Smith read my review. I think I got a mail also from his office or whoever, may be his agent, asking how much I liked Smith. I don’t remember because in those days, my son was in standard 12 or Engineering I think, so I paid least attention to these things. In fact even Jeffrey Archer was in Landmark signing his books. I didn’t go because I had to cook and do puja at home! Now I can’t believe I did that! But at that point of time, home came first always! I don’t remember what I did with the mail about Smith. Whether even I replied, I am not sure. But that confirmed to me that somehow he must have come across my review and that he read it personally. To my knowledge, he remained a very tech savvy person updating himself on all frontiers. His demise also I was aware of. It was well reported in Indian print media. With Seventh scroll, I always believe in my heart that my lifetime favourite author read my review and probably thought of me for a second!
I can’t help smiling at Wilbur Smith writing about Taita wanting to plant himself somewhere in the picture, portraying himself quintessentially in his murals to mark his place in eternity. Isn’t the author doing the same with frequent reference to himself on many occasions in the book?! Perhaps Wilbur Smith thinks he is the modern day Taita. His vivid imagination and detailing of things is spellbinding. Its like i was seeing a 3D picture! I have loved each and everyone of his books right from day one and so ‘The Seventh scroll’ also lived up to my expectation.
This is part of my review and somehow I believe right now that this inspired Smith to refer to himself as Taita in his autobiography! Like, he is confirming my suspicion!
Anyway a life lived too well, exuberantly! All round! Nothing lacking really. What an amazing amazing life filled with adventure and good fortune and creativity and sheer happiness and contentment! For this I have to hand a trophy to Wilbur Smith posthumously! Gifted author, gifted human being. One in many billions. Lucky. Old and limited edition. They don’t come like this any more.
vijiravindran's 