TAI-PAN.TAI-PAN.
Score Classic
What it's about
In the early 19th century, as European traders first push into China, a giant of an Englishman, Dirk Struan, sets out to turn the barren island of Hong Kong into a fortress of British power, and to make himself its supreme ruler, the Tai-Pan.
Why it's worth reading
It was one of the ten best-selling books of 1966. It's a sweeping, swashbuckling saga of trade, power and rivalry.
You'll love it if you liked
Shōgun
Noble House
The Pillars of the EarthGood to know
It's very long. It's the second of Clavell's Asian Saga, though it can be read first.
By the numbers
- Readers75 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller50 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #64 of the 116 historical novels we rank
- #127 of the 459 fantasy books we rank
- #279 of the 762 classics we rank
- #896 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Adventurous, Epic
More by James Clavell
If you like this, read next
The Underground Railroad
World Without End
Fall of Giants
The Water Dancer
Between Two Fires
Jonathan Strange & Mr NorrellExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is TAI-PAN. worth reading?
Yes. It was one of the ten best-selling books of 1966. It ranks #896 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 74.0 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is TAI-PAN. about?
In the early 19th century, as European traders first push into China, a giant of an Englishman, Dirk Struan, sets out to turn the barren island of Hong Kong into a fortress of British power, and to make himself its supreme ruler, the Tai-Pan.
How long does it take to read TAI-PAN.?
About 18 hours (708 pages), or about 5 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after TAI-PAN.?
If you liked it, try Shōgun by James Clavell, Noble House by James Clavell or The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett.