Tai-Pan: The Second Novel of the Asian Saga

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The company is built along clan lines with loyalty being first among the most weighted characteristics for joining his empire, and by association, those selected, will also benefiting from his protection.

However, he does suffer from being made to look like the less intelligent, alcoholic and abusive version of Struan. Extension of their barbaric and selfish work in America, Africa, India and NOW China, TaiPan is a closer look at these Barbarians way of thinking!Their occasional forays into intrigue are ultimately motivated by their desire to protect their families and help their men. 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.

All in the brand-new Hong Kong revolves around him: he built the place, he saves it, and all others can suck it. Tai-Pan was Clavell’s second book, first published in 1966, and is coincidentally also the second chronological book in his Asian saga of books. Although the novel features many characters, it is Dirk Struan and Tyler Brock, former shipmates and the owners of two massive (fictional) trading companies who are the main focal points of the story.Especially for one who has read Gai-jin (and probably for anyone who hasn't), Tai-pan is a terrible disappointment. Clavell sets his novel just after the 1842 Opium War which won Britain the right to deal smack to the Chinese, and got them the island and surrounding bay of Hong Kong. He plans for any contingencies and shows resilience in the face of a series of setbacks beyond his control.