Is Tai Pan based on a true story?

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.

Is Tai Pan as good as Shogun?

After about 1/3 of the way through the book, the characters and the different accented dialogues became more understandable. The last 1/2 of “Tai-Pan” was almost as good as “Shogun”.

What order should I read James Clavell books?

Overview

1. King Rat (1962)
2. Tai-Pan (1966)
3. Shōgun (1975)
4. Noble House (1981)
5. Whirlwind (1986)
6. Gai-Jin (1993)

How long did it take James Clavell to write Tai Pan?

Tai-Pan was Clavell’s second novel after King Rat. With the proceeds from the movie sale for King Rat, it gave him the money he required to write Tai Pan. Clavell said that after five failed starts, it took him 241 days to write the first draft, and then 12 weeks to write the second.

Who is the author of the book Tai Pan?

Such a book is Tai-Pan.”—Pittsburgh Press James Clavell, who died in 1994, was a screenwriter, director, producer, and novelist born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

How are Shogun before Gai-Jin and Tai-Pan related?

These two books have basically nothing to do with each other. I read all the books in random order and still understood each. If you can however, read Shogun before Gai-Jin if possible as the latter refers to the former sometimes, though the stories aren’t really related.

Where does the story of Tai Pan take place?

Tai-Pan follows Dirk Struan’s quest to establish Hong Kong as the primary European port city in Asia. It picks up right after the Island is officially ceded to the British after China lost the war and the first thing Clavell does is establish Struan’s character.