Gai-Jin
by James Clavell
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 563)
Read in August, 2007
recommends it for:
anyone who likes a little Danielle Steel with their imperialism
This was the last book that James Clavell wrote in this series and thank God he's dead or I'd have had to kill him myself for wasting my time with this. And it's not like he was stingy with words as it took me 1500 pages of this garbage to realize that nothing was ever going to happen. By now, James Clavell abandoned any attempt at business or complex story-telling for a load of sex, endless intrigue resluting in nothing and a few action sequences. Is she pregnant, is she not pregnant, will t...more
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Not one of Clavell's best in this series, having read all of them this is pretty much a boiler plate that follows the mood, but not the flavor of the other earlier works. I read my way through all of this series, missing this one, in the early 80’s and picked this up a few months ago. His earliest works were excellent, and Tai-Pan was a stunning achievement, but this didn’t live up to my expectations. The rape of one of the central characters while she was drugged just felt like it was to...more
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Read in January, 1998
I love all of James Clavell's books, except this one. I couldn't get through the first half of the book. For me, capturing interest within the first chapter is important, otherwise, I just can't seem to finish a book. So, considering that and the fact that I actually tried to get half way through this book and still found it's characters annoying and the story-line a bore is telling.
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Read in January, 1993
Last book written by Clavell. It picks up the story between Tai Pan a Noble House, with the setting taking place back in Japan during the time wen Japan was being forcefully opened up to foreigners
I do not recommend bringing a five pound hardcover book to basic training, especially when you're in the middle of the story and you have to put it away for nearly two months. Just sayin'.
I do not recommend bringing a five pound hardcover book to basic training, especially when you're in the middle of the story and you have to put it away for nearly two months. Just sayin'.
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Read in April, 2007
This is a book I would have never picked up to read on my own, but my boyfriend recommended it, so I gave it a shot. I haven't read any of the other books in the series, so I can't compare them, but I actually really, really enjoyed this book. It's really fast paced and the characters and settings are extremely well developed. Definitely an entertaining page turner!
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Read in June, 2004
Another page turner by Clavell. This time we are back in Japan and the families have become more entwined and complex. This is 3rd on my list of favorites from the series, but that is not saying its not great. It was following some brilliant fiction writing.
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I am still trying to finish this one...now it back in Japan and te cool thing is that there are characters from Tai Pan and even Shogun popping up but at times i get confused with who and how everyone is interconnected.
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More Tai-Pan style silliness. But more so.
Some less likeable characters than Tai-Pan (certainly less than Shogun) but also some interesting crazy Japanese xenophobia. Which I'm always a sucker for.
Some less likeable characters than Tai-Pan (certainly less than Shogun) but also some interesting crazy Japanese xenophobia. Which I'm always a sucker for.
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A bit weak. Better than Whirlwind, but much worse than Tai-Pan and Shogun. No likable characters, story was fairly underwhelming - i just didn't care - and it just petered out into a inconclusive ending.
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Read in January, 1994
Not one of the best Clavell books I've read. I enjoyed it, but I think by this point after reading Shogun, Tai-pan, Noble House and King Rat I was burnt out on the Clavell Asian sagas.
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Read in January, 1999
Next in the "Struan Saga", Gai-Jin continues the history of Europeans in Hong Kong. This features a great love story amidst treachery, warfare and politics - outstanding!
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James Clavell is either a psycho or a genius .. he tells his tales with great enthusiasm and adroitness. the length of his books kill you but its worth a read ...
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Not just this book, I think all of James Clavell's books are brilliantly written. He does tremendous research and mixes history with fiction beautifully.
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recommends it for:
14+
i learned a lot about the history and the culture of japan, especially between 1820 and 1870.
(i also learned some japanese words :))
(i also learned some japanese words :))
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recommends it for:
everyone
Phenomenally written story with vivid characters whom you grow to love and hate. Makes the Japanese culture of the time come alive.
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Read in August, 2007
Second part of the book is alot better than the first part. But in my opinion not the best of James Clavell.
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Read in August, 1991
Not as good as Shogun but, has enteresting details concerning traditional Japanese culture.
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A disappointing sequel to the classic, Shogun. Almost felt too forced. Bad editors, maybe?
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Did not like this period nor the characters that played upon it.
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Read in July, 1995
Not as good as Shogun, but a pretty decent read nonetheless.
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