Set against the backdrop of 19th century Hong Kong, 'Tai-Pan' follows the tumultuous life of Dirk Struan, a formidable trader determined to establish his empire. As rival factions vie for power, Struan navigates treacherous waters, both politically and personally. The clash of cultures, fierce ambition, and betrayal intertwine in a gripping tale of survival and ambition. The novel explores themes of loyalty, resilience, and the quest for dominance in a rapidly changing world. Will Struan secure his legacy, or will the tides of fate sweep him away?
By James Clavell
Published: 2019
"To be brave is to love someone unconditionally, without expecting anything in return."
"There can only be one Tai-Pan." Dirk Struan rose from humble beginnings to build Struan & Company, also known as the Noble House, into the world's largest Far East trading company. He is now the Tai-Pan--Supreme Leader--of all Tai-Pans in China. Along the way, however, he made a powerful enemy. Tyler Brock, Struan's rival from their early opium-smuggling days, also heads a large trading fleet, second in size only to Struan's. But it is not only silks and spices that drive their mutual companies' wealth--the opium trade is still booming. War between England and China might be over, but the hostilities remain. Struan and Brock come to control much of England's trade with China yet neither can control their desires or their hatred of each other. Over the years, their two families will cross paths, threatening to rip both apart, with reverberations that will echo across the generations. Struan must fight to save his company and his family, or risk seeing everything he has created destroyed at the hands of his sworn enemy. Ambition, political intrigue, and love and lust weave their way throughout the novel the New York Times called, "grand entertainment...packed with action...with blood and sin, treachery and conspiracy, sex and murder." East and West come together in an opulent and intricately plotted narrative. A tour-de-force of historical fiction, rich in detail yet eminently readable, Tai-Pan will stay with you long after the final page.
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“To be brave is to love someone unconditionally, without expecting anything in return.”
Tai-pan
By James Clavell
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James Clavell was an Australian-born author, screenwriter, and director, renowned for his historical fiction novels set in Asia. His most notable works include 'Shōgun', 'Tai-Pan', and 'Noble House', which are part of his Asian Saga series. Clavell's writing is characterized by its rich detail, intricate plotting, and deep exploration of cultural conflicts, often informed by his own experiences during and after World War II. His novels not only weave intense narratives but also provide insightful commentary on the complexities of East-West relations.
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