Reviews

Tai-Pan by James Clavell

skconaghan's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny informative sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

zachghalayini's review against another edition

5.0

Tai-Pan delves into themes of imperialism, colonialism, and cultural clash. Clavell vividly portrays the clash of civilizations as Western values and traditions collide with Chinese customs and traditions. The novel explores the complexities of identity and allegiance, as characters grapple with their loyalties to nation, family, and self.

mrloop's review against another edition

5.0

More like 4.5.

shtc10's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

stygian_theophany's review against another edition

adventurous tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

mfp's review against another edition

adventurous dark informative fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

gassyhaggis's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

drjay's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

sammo236's review against another edition

I was not engaged by the story and found the plot difficult to follow. 

8797999's review against another edition

5.0

It has taken me about a year to get around to reading the second book in James Clavell’s Asian Saga, being hugely impressed with Shogun I was very much looking forward to reading Taipan and the rest, but like everyone my reading piles have grown out of control and it was lost amongst the shuffle. This month I decided to read something long for a change to the shorter books I have been reading and it was about time to return to Asia.

Needless to say I absolutely loved it, it was everything Shogun was and more. I preferred the characters in this book and the plot. It was hugely entertaining and a lot of fun and suspense seeing the machinations of Struan against the likes of Brock and Gorth and how the Taipan ran his ship and Noble House. Just like in Shogun there was the love story to contend with, a not so forbidden love story but one that would be frowned upon in England at the time.

I found this to be a tighter and easier read than Shogun, a lot of smiles to be had at the Pidgin English in the book. The end was surprising and bittersweet, especially the very last words of Culum, though he is the son of Dirk Struan after all.

I am looking forward to reading Gaijin as it looks to be more or less a direct sequel to Taipan, it will be very interesting to see the future fortunes of the Noble House. Hopefully it wont take me as long to get around to it as it did Taipan.