Tai-Pan

The Epic Novel of the Founding of Hong Kong: The Asian Saga, Book 2

By: James Clavell

Narrated by: Gildart Jackson

Length: 32 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

The sweeping epic novel of the founding of Hong Kong, by the #1 New York Times bestselling author and unparalleled master of historical fiction, James Clavell

“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 moment.

©1966 James Clavell (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

great

really enjoyed this. it one of those I'm definitely going to listen to again. I particularly enjoyed the narration and change and use of characters voices and accents thereof

Masterful Reading

One of the greatest novels ever written, told most masterfully.
Looking forward to listening to this marvel once a year.

Epic, fantastic, entertaining!

Ive read the paper book many moons ago, and still, this was an experience I wouldnt miss!
Excellent story, excellent narration that couldn't be better.

Epic

epic.wow..not as good as Shougon,but great. GIldart J. does a superb job. lovely and so long,seems never ending....

Far from magnificent, but still enjoyable, heya!

It takes a while to get into the characters of this novel, but once comfortable with who's who, you can enjoy Clavell's storytelling. This novel is not as good as "Shogun," as the atmosphere is not as thick with the relevant oriental culture. But it's still enjoyable. The storyline meanders a bit and, I have to say, the ending is a little bit of a let down. But you can't expect perfection every time. Jackson's narration is first rate, though. He adapts to the characters really well, and allows you to follow the action and dialogue quite easily. "Heya!"

Exceptional fantasticaly thrilling

What a book!
What a roller-coaster!
Superb reading like Shogun snd King Rat
So very emotional

The tai pan

an epic epic. makes gots seem silly.
realistic humane and fantastical. narration was par excellence. The characters, imortal.
God bless

Amazing book, amazing telling

I missed such great writing as Clavel presents in his books, and Jackson complement it perfectly with his unique narrative of each of the dozens of chief characters in the book. Truly amazing.

Brilliant!

Wonderful narration - no, performance by God! - of a complex and intriguing story. A rare feeling to feel sad that a book has ended, and rarer still to envy those that are yet to enjoy it.

Fantastic, but long (typical Clavell)

Narrator is great with voices.
Story is full of intrigue. But can drag on at times