Tai-Pan (Mass Market Paperback)

~ (Author) "Dirk Struan came up onto the quarterdeck of the flagship H.M.S. Vengeance, and strode for the gangway..." (more)
Key Phrases: yor pardon, thee knowed, deputy colonial secretary, Hong Kong, China Cloud, Gordon Chen (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Intensely readable and exciting' -- Sunday Telegraph 'James Clavell is a teller of stories. They are complicated and exciting, and you are desperate to know what will happen to his characters because they are like the people you know from your own life and experience, set in strange and sometimes terrible circumstances' -- John Simpson 'Packed with action ... gaudy and flamboyant with blood and sin, treachery and conspiracy, sex and murder ... grand entertainment' -- New York Times --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 736 pages
• Publisher: Dell; First Edition Edition edition (September 1, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440184622
• ISBN-13: 978-0440184621
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (94 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #21,371 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book Worth a Look, April 29, 2004

By	Z. Blume (St. Louis, MO United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Unlike many of the previous reviewers, I have no particular connection to Asia or an extensive knowledge of Chinese history, rather I am merely a fan of exciting stories and great writing and if the novel is full of interesting facts, then all the better. Tai-Pan fits the bill.

It is an engaging story about the European community in China just after the British have taken control of Hong Kong. It centers on Dirk Struan, a manipulative, shrewd, and charismatic man who happens to be the most powerful trader in Asia. There is intrigue, violence, romance and tragedy, but this all adds flavor to the epic story of how the British controlled their first stronghold in Asia. Clavell does an amazing job of creating realistic characters and incorporaring facts about the time period and his knowledege of the culture. Despite being a fictional account of this era, I learned a great deal about China, British trade and sailing in the 1800's.

I would recommend this book to everyone who enjoys historical fiction or just great writing and good stories. Further, this book is at least as good as Shogun and is a critical component of the Asia Saga, so it is a must read for people who enjoy Clavell's other books.

18 of 18 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

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.

12 of 12 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 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