Quote:
Originally Posted by Rumpelteazer
My planned reading for this summer is, besides trying to finish the two aforementioned series, to read Tai Pan by James Clavell. I've read the first book of his Asian series, Shogun last summer and I'm in the mood for an epic historical novel.
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'Taipan' isn't in the same class as 'Shogun,' so don't expect that. But it's a good read in itself, and an interesting history of Hong Kong. If you're familiar with HK, you can actually put 'real' names to the people and the places mentioned in the book! And 'Taipan' gives all the background (the Taipan is the boss of the Noble House which gets established at this time in history,) that makes reading 'Noble House' so very much better! 'Noble House' IS in the same class as 'Shogun,' so it's worth working your way through 'Taipan' to get the history which makes 'Noble House' so much better!
I do recommend that you also read 'King Rat.' Although it takes place within Changi POW camp in Singapore during W.W.II, there are two important characters who play a very important role when they show up again in 'Noble House.' I try to re-read these four of Clavell's Asian Series every few years. It really is THAT good!
Stitchawl