Asian Saga

Asian Saga
A series by James Clavell

The Asian Saga series by James Clavell is a collection of novels that explore the rich and complex histories of various Asian countries through the lens of fictional characters. The series includes the following books:

King Rat (1962) – Set in a Japanese prisoner of war camp, 1945

This novel delves into the harsh realities of life in a Japanese POW camp during World War II. The story focuses on the struggle to survive among the male prisoners, but there are also hints at the lives of the women connected to them—lovers, mothers, and wives—who are equally affected by the war. Though the novel primarily explores the male experience, the author acknowledges that war spares no one, regardless of gender or age.

Tai-Pan (1966) – Set in Hong Kong, 1841

In the mid-nineteenth century, smuggler Dirk Struan becomes the Tai-Pan (supreme leader) of the most powerful trading company in the Far East after the British victory in the First Opium War. Clever, ruthless, a loyal friend, and an implacable enemy, Struan is both revered and feared in exotic Hong Kong, where he navigates a world of intrigue and power struggles.

Shogun (1975) – Set in Feudal Japan, 1600s

Shogun tells the story of English pilot John Blackthorne, whose ship is wrecked on the coast of Japan. Taken prisoner along with his crew, Blackthorne must quickly adapt to the culture and language of this foreign land to survive. His skills as a navigator draw him into the intricate and dangerous world of Japanese politics, where he must learn to play the game of power to survive in a brutal, unforgiving country.

Noble House (1981) – Set in Hong Kong, 1963

Set in Hong Kong, a city where ancient traditions clash with ultramodern ambitions, Noble House tells the story of the Struan family, who have ruled Asia’s trade routes for generations. The novel follows the last Tai-Pan of the family and his deadly struggle to maintain his position in a city where fair play is a foreign concept. The book explores themes of wealth, power, love, and survival in a world where only the strong thrive.

Whirlwind (1986) – Set in Iran, 1979

In February 1979, Tehran is in chaos as the Shah of Iran flees the country. Amidst the political and religious turmoil, a small group of Western helicopter pilots find themselves caught in a violent struggle for power between fundamentalist mullahs, leftist mujahideen, royalists, and revolutionaries. Whirlwind follows the pilots of C-G Helicopters, a company based in Aberdeen, as they try to navigate the dangers of a country on the brink of revolution, while maintaining their crucial flights over Iran’s oil fields.

Gai-Jin (1993) – Set in Japan, 1862

The term Gai-jin, meaning foreigner, carries with it a sense of disdain in Japan. The novel is set in 1862 and continues the story from Shogun and Tai-Pan, focusing on the interactions between Western traders and the Japanese during a time of significant cultural and political change.

The Order of Reading the Asian Saga:

Publication Order:

• King Rat (1962)
• Tai-Pan (1966)
• Shogun (1975)
• Noble House (1981)
• Whirlwind (1986)
• Gai-Jin (1993)

Chronological Order of Events:

• Shogun – Feudal Japan, 1600s
• Tai-Pan – Hong Kong, 1841
• Gai-Jin – Japan, 1862
• King Rat – Singapore, 1945
• Noble House – Hong Kong, 1963
• Whirlwind – Iran, 1979