' Same type of style used in Shogun, but different setting. Great characters espescially Dirk and his Mei Mei ' - Stamatia, ' This is one of the easiest Clavell books and I recommend it to anyone. It's simlpy great historical fiction! ' - Joann, ' I have read this book about the founding of Hong Kong many times and just reread it in advance of Barton's trip to Hong Kong. Although not in the same league as Shogun, still a wonderfully written story that encompasses several cultures, classes, and misconceptions. :-( It was slow going in the beginning, but I love a story set in the Far East! ' - Emily, Unfortunately, in keeping with the time period, it is also full of women who can only be wise if silly, and they tend to get smacked around a lot. ' Full of fun historical facts, e.g., the ways that sailors in the 19th century avoided cholera. ' Not as polished as Shogun, but Clavell's ability to describe the details without overwhelming the reader still abound. A great story that keeps the reader personally involved in every page I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a great story full of excitement, intrigue, sex, love, and murder (2.25). He expertly draws the reader into the middle of the story, providing a realism that has one rooting for Dirk Struan and The Noble House throughout the entire book. ' Another fantastic story by James Clavell. ' One of my all-time favs!! ' - Richard, ' Good.but, not nearly as good as Shogun! ' - Joel, ' The book equivalent of listening to Led Zeppelin II really loud over and over again. Also set in Japan with rich history, characters and plotting. ' Not as good as Shogun but still well written and worthwhile.

Overall Performance: Narration Rating: Story Rating:.Vivid characters set against the contrast of East and West bring to life an era where Britain is dominant yet wary of the emerging powers that dominate today's world stage.' The novel functions very well as both a fictionalized version of the birth of the Hong Kong colony and as a tale of adventure and intrigue. 'It has been at least 25 years since I first read this, and I am pleased to say that it holds up extremely well.

This critically acclaimed historical novel is another fine example of Times bestselling author James Clavell’s works have become beloved modernĬlassics.

And it is in this exciting time and exotic place that a giant of anĮnglishman, Dirk Struan, sets out to turn the desolate island of Hong Kong intoĪn impregnable fortress of British power-and to make himself supreme ruler: Tai-Pan! Traders and adventurers first began to penetrate the forbidding Chinese It is the early nineteenth century, when European

Tai pan clavell