Tai-Pan [Mass Market Paperback]

James Clavell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1986

It is the early 19th century, when European traders and adventurers first began to penetrate the forbidding Chinese mainland. And it is in this exciting time and exotic place that a giant of an Englishman, Dirk Straun, sets out to turn the desolate island of Hong Kong into an impregnable fortress of British power, and to make himself supreme ruler…Tai-Pan!




From the Trade Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Unforgettable!”—Chicago Tribune

“A fabulous epic of the Far East that will disturb and excite you…a thrilling and enticing tale of adventure and human relationships…dramatic episodes, exotic vignettes and heady descriptive passages.” –Baltimore Sun

“Clavell is, as always, a matchless tale-spinner.”—Cosmopolitan

“Every five or six years there appears on the horizon a book so vast in scope, so peopled with bold, colorful characters, it eclipses other efforts…. Such a book is Tai-Pan.”—Pittsburgh Press

“Grand entertainment...packed with action...gaudy and flanboyant with blood and sin, treachery and conspiracy, sex and murder...fresh and vigorous.” —New York Times

About the Author

James Clavell, who died in 1994, was a screenwriter, director, producer, and novelist born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Although he wrote the screenplays for a number of acclaimed films, including The Fly (1958), The Great Escape (1963), and To Sir With Love (1967), he is best known for his epic novels in his Asian Saga.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 736 pages
• Publisher: Dell (September 1, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440184622
• ISBN-13: 978-0440184621
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1.2 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (110 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #68,812 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

James Clavell, who died in 1994, was a screenwriter, director, producer, and novelist born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Although he wrote the screenplays for a number of acclaimed films, including The Fly (1958), The Great Escape (1963), and To Sir With Love (1967), he is best known for his epic novels in his Asian Saga.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my all-time favorites!, June 6, 2005

By 

JanSobieski (United States of America) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tai-Pan (Mass Market Paperback)

The first time I read Tai Pan was in college 30 years ago. I picked it up reluctantly, despite a strong recommendation from a friend, because it was about China and Hong Kong about which I had little interest. But I read it nonetheless and was absolutely transfixed. I've just finished reading it again at age 54 and can heartily still recommend this book.

This is the story of the founding of Hong Kong as told through the fictional characters of Dirk Struan, his son Cullum, their arch-enemy Tyler Brock and many others. Dirk Struan is the Tai Pan (supreme leader) of the Noble House, the largest and strongest of the China traders. Tyler Brock is his sworn enemy since Struan first served aboard an English man-of-war and experienced the lash from Brock's hands as a "powder monkey" at Trafalgar aboard the 110-gunship Royal Soverign.

Clavell uses Struan as the embodiment of the best virtues of the English system with her rule of law and the Chinese system. Brock, while not without redeeming qualities, reflects some of the worst features of the English system. Struan is receptive to the virtues of the Chinese culture while remaining a patriotic Englishman.

Struan has acquired many of the habits of the Chinese including bathing 2-3 times a day (as opposed to the rest of the English who believe that bathing renders one susceptible to the "flux") wearing light cloths and boots, and many others. He takes a Chinese concubine, May-May, and has children by her. His eldest half caste son, Gordon Chen, from a previous concubine plays a major role as well.

Struan is no saint, particularly when viewed from the perspective of the 21st century, or for that matter even when viewed from the perspective of his own time. But he is one of the most intriguing fictional characters you're likely ever to come across. This book was first published in 1966 so the idiocy of PC had not yet reared its ugly head. And this book pays little heed to the silly PC concerns of our time and is correspondingly refreshing.

If you like your characters strong, raw, unadulterated, and realistic and love a great story line this book will not disappoint. My only misgiving about the book was that it had to end at 732 small-print pages. The good news is that the book Noble House, though it takes place 120 years later does continue the saga of the Noble House and provide the follow-up on the characters that you come to know and love in Tai-Pan.

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fabulous, unforgettable, larger than life Epic!, October 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Tai-Pan (Mass Market Paperback)

I just finished reading Tai-Pan for the second time. The first time I read it was nine years ago. At that time I was sure it was one of the best epics ever written. Now with nine more years of wisdom I am convinced. Clavell writes a fascinating tale of ruthless men and women in 19th century Asia. The dialogue is at times witty and the ending is the best I have ever read. I am now faced with the grim task of trying to find another book to read that comes close to the grandeur of this novel.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully captures the founding of Hong Kong, March 8, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Tai-Pan (Mass Market Paperback)

This thoroughly enjoyable historical novel captures the atmosphere of China and Hong Kong in the mid 1800's. Dirk Struan, hero of this adventures, is a strongly written character who you can't help admiring and cheering on. I loved the way Clavell weaved together a compelling story with such descriptive details and historical facts that advance our understanding of characters and events. Because of this book, I read Jonathan Spence's history "God's Chinese Son", which I also recommend. I can't recommend the novel strongly enough for fans of historical fiction