Trade is what mitigates the tensions between different cultures. Since it is a man-made creation, it’s not fixed. Trade has always played an interesting role in humanity. Again, we are shown palpable tension, but whereas the previous book focused on political tension, “Tai-pan” focuses on business tension. His books may be considered as gory or brutal, but that’s because he is writing about humans and our history is overfull with violent acts. There are also an abundance of other characters all of whom play a role in the life and turmoil of the Noble House.Īs with “Shogun”, Clavell reveals through amazing character portrayals the way humans view and treat one another. And there is Gordon Chen, Struan’s son and leader of the first Hong Kong Triad. There is May-May, Struan’s mistress, who is his equal in intelligence and strategy. There is Tyler Brock, another massive trader and a competitor and enemy of Dirk Struan, and his son Gorth Brock. He has the political mindset of a liberal, the morals of his religion, and the mindset of a British man during the mid 19 th century. Fresh off the university boat, Culum has no idea what his father has done and is currently doing.

He is a master of sea, master manipulator, a pirate, and a businessman who made his fortune in the Opium trade. There is Dirk Struan, a Scottish man whose power and fortunes make him to both the British and Chinese, to be the Tai-pan of the Noble House. As with “Shogun”, this novel follows multiple perspectives. You really feel like you are hearing a story from characters who really lived during an era. A title which means, roughly, supreme one or big shot.Ĭlavell is a master at placing the reader in the heart of a story. We follow the life of Dirk Struan, the Tai-pan. Tai-pan takes place during the mid 1800s and is all about the founding of Hong Kong. Wow another enjoyable novel by Clavell! Does that surprise anyone? It’s James Clavell. But he knew that his life was inexorably tied to opium-and that without it neither The Noble House nor the British Empire could exist.

Das Parfüm by Patrick Süskind