I wonder if the barbarian God is like our Chinese gods. Who, if you think about it, are very stupid. But not really. They’re like human beings with all our weaknesses and strengths.” Weiler, A.H. (3 July 1966). " 'Tai-Pan' Means Big Novel, Big Money, Big Movie: More on Movies". The New York Times. p.45. The story is told through a wide array of POV characters, giving the reader a well rounded view of their motivations, passions, agendas, and blind spots that would otherwise be absent if told in a different manner. There aren't really good guys and bad guys (except, you know, Imperialism), just competing interests and agendas. We see things from both British perspectives as well as a Chinese ones, each with their own unique view on the matters at hand and a diverse range of opinion within each respective camp. Like in Shogan, Clavell allows all sides to have good reason to pursue the agendas they do and he avoids any cliched portrayal of characters, Western or Asian. Tai-Pan (1986), released as a theatrical film starring Bryan Brown and Joan Chen, was a critical and box office failure.

It was an important birth. Because later, when Struan again faced turbulent days and financial ruin, he turned to Jin-Qua for help. Part of the deal, on top of a loan of silver bullion, was that the Chen family would forever be compradore of Noble House, with the first being Gordon Chen. For me though, my introduction to James Clavell was Tai-Pan and the unforgettable character, Dirk Struan. This is an epic tale, with Shakespearean romance, typhoons, love and malaria, incest, discord between fathers and sons, the building of a city of trade, lust, complicated characters with tangled relationships, and an exploration of the power of possession. These larger than life figures are battling on a small and large scale for what is theirs, but also for what will be their childrens and their children’s children. I was very impressed with the depth of the plot, the deftness with which Clavell pulled me into the story, and the breadth and scope he was willing to manfully shoulder to bring these characters to life.Clavell said that after five failed starts, it took him 241 days to write the first draft, and then 12 weeks to write the second. Dirk’s son Cullum comes out from London and is appalled to discover the man his father has become. He is rather harsh on Struan, long before he understands the circumstances that have shaped his father. Whatever rules Cullum may believe exist in England dinna necessarily translate to the rough and ready wilds of empire building.

Aristotle Quance – painter and hedonist, always in debt. The Struan family own several of his paintings. Clavell was also an ardent supporter of Free Trade, an avowed opponent of Communism and Fascism and an admirer of certain aspects of both Asian and Western culture. Much has also been written about Clavell's fondness of blending those aspects that he believed were the best of both worlds to make a new culture. I would have to agree with those folks. All these aspects of Clavell come out strongly in his novels and will either drive you crazy or have you nodding in agreement. Whatever route you take it might be helpful to be prepared. Horatio Sinclair – clerk to William Longstaff, church fanatic and harbours incestuous desires for his sister Mary. 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 I've read this before & really liked it, but it is even better as an audio book. Incredible, really. John Lee has great accents & intonations & really makes the book come alive.The Brits’ hygiene) “Wash my clothes? Why, that’ll make them shrink and spoil the cut and goodness knows what!”

The extraordinary story of adaptability and resilience of the Jardines conglomerate, founded in 1832 by Scotsmen William Jardine and James Matheson, is one of a kind. You used to be God to me. But in the thirty days I’ve been here I’ve come to know you for what you are. Killer. Murderer. Pirate. Opium smuggler. Adulterer. You buy and sell people. You’ve sired bastards and you’re proud of them and your name stinks in the nostrils of decent people.”After visiting Hong Kong with Benson Fong in 1962, Clavell returned in 1963 with his family for a year. He said it took him five false starts, 241 days to write a first draft, and 12 weeks to do the second. Clavell originally wanted the novel to span from the establishment of Hong Kong until the present day but when writing it decided to end the novel on the death of the first tai pan. He did so much research it gave him the idea to write a trilogy; in particular he later wrote a novel set in 1963 Hong Kong, Noble House. [5] [6] Before joining Goodreads, I had already read ‘Shogun’, so you, my friendly reader, do not have the luxury of a review of that as comparison, but I believe that what I say about ‘Tai-Pan’, set in Hong Kong, can easily be said of it’s predecessor.

It was from here that a watch was kept for the first glimpse of the sails of the firm’s clippers coming from India and London. As soon as a vessel was signalled, a fast whaleboat was sent out to collect Jardines’ mail. Clavell died in Vevey, Switzerland, after suffering a stroke. He died a month short of his 73rd birthday.Tai-Pan is a 1986 adventure drama film directed by Daryl Duke, loosely based on James Clavell's 1966 novel of the same name. While many of the same characters and plot twists are maintained, a few smaller occurrences are left out. Filmed under communist Chinese censorship, some portions of Clavell's story were considered too offensive to be filmed as written and considerable changes were made. There are better options, half a dozen at least of the women/girls he knows who would help to open more doors for him, but there is just one damn problem...HE...LOVES...May-May. He will marry her and let them be damned if they dinna like it. He has never met a problem that a cascade of silver won’t fix, by God! Dirk Struan is quite possibly my favorite heroic figure in fiction. He comes from the early Victorian culture & Clavell does an excellent job contrasting attitudes. Where the rest of the British believe their culture is far superior to the 'heathen Chinese', Struan has adopted many of the Chinese customs that make sense to him. He rejects others to the dismay of his mistress & the resulting dialog is often hilarious, especially with John Lee's fantastic reading. Through it all, Dirk Struan strides like a giant. He's just a man, but he dominates those around him, disparate cultures, cut-throat business, & murky politics through sheer nerve, will & intelligence. He's open handed with those less fortunate & the devil himself to those who wrong him or his. Chinese customs, polygamy, a romance worthy of Shakespeare, and a really hard to guess ending Historical & Geopolitical setting: