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Gai-Jin Audiobook
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(3.00) - 5,009 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
The dynamic epic novel of political upheaval and societal change in late 1800s Japan, by the #1 New York Times bestselling author and unparalleled master of historical fiction, James Clavell
This epic novel by master writer James Clavell, loosely based on the Namamugi Incident and Anglo-Satsuma War that took place in the late 1800s, is a richly researched, panoramic view of Japan’s budding relationship with the Western powers, its sweeping societal changes, and the political upheaval that followed.
As Malcolm Struan, the son of Culum and Tess Struan, and a small band of Westerners travel down the Tōkaidō road, they are attacked by two Satsuma samurai, who mortally wound John Canterbury and seriously injure Malcolm, who then finds reprieve in the merchant village of Yokohama after a narrow escape facilitated by the unscathed Angelique.
Angelique Richaud, Malcolm’s penniless but beautiful French companion, is thrown into a world of political intrigue, fierce devotion, unstable family dynamics, blackmail, and secrets as the trading houses battle for supremacy.
With a cast of dynamic and fully recognized characters, Gai-Jin spins a tale of passionate love affairs, devastating loss, intense power struggles, and the fight to survive and thrive in a hostile new land that will leave readers longing for another foray into Clavell’s extraordinary Asian Saga.
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"Loved it. Very complex story, you have to read each page carefully, but the depth and colour of the story is just fabulous. I think I have read some Clavell books out of order, and may now have to re-read Taipan. Oh well.... "
— Raylea (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Engrossing…entertaining…the broad portrait is accurate and as colorful as an ancient Kabuki play.”
— People -
“Exhilarating…a rich, enveloping novel.”
— Cosmopolitan -
“A well-told story…few eras of Japanese history were more violent, turbulent, and politically exasperating than the 1860s…Mr. Clavell revels in the turbulence of political death and rebirth.”
— New York Times Book Review -
“A grand historical perspective that makes us feel we’re understanding how today’s Japan came into being…Absorbing…Full of rich characters and complicated action.”
— New York Times -
"Gai-Jin is Shōgun plus!…Great entertainment.”
— New York Daily News -
"Gai-Jin is major reading. If you like Clavell’s other novels, you’ll surely sink your teeth into this one. He is a master at capturing the Japanese persona…He dives deep into the complexitites of a monarchic society and the early attempts at cross-cultural negotiations. The result is nothing less than a saga.”
— Chicago Sun-Times -
“With great skill and intelligence…Gai-Jin is just the ticket. It has it all: murders, battles, rapes, earthquakes, sword fights, insanely convoluted political intrigues, and innumerable accounts of ‘pillowing’ with beautiful women.”
— San Francisco Chronicle -
“Interesting, exciting…James Clavell fans will love it!”
— Milwaukee Journal -
“Clavell keeps you turning the pages.”
— Los Angeles Daily News -
“Compelling…The Japanese love fine jubako—lacquered boxes that fit within boxes that are in boxes. In Gai-Jin, James Clavell has written a jubako of a novel.”
— Christian Science Monitor -
“Unceasingly satisfying…Clavell is in top-notch form…He again melds plot-driven storytelling and colorful characterization in vibrant collaboration with an exotic, dynamic setting.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Once you’re into it, you…are swept along by spirited storytelling…Clavell writes at full throttle as if infused by the soul of Alexandre Dumas…You get your money’s worth if you want to spend it here.”
— Kirkus Reviews
Gai-Jin Listener Reviews
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" Tended to ramble on. Reading it became a chore three quarters of the way through. "
— PC7, 2/11/2014 -
" The worst of the bunch by far. "
— Lizerati, 2/5/2014 -
—
Duanne, 1/29/2014
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" just my kind of story ;-) "
— Esther, 1/26/2014 -
" 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 ... "
— Johny, 1/25/2014 -
" Wish I would've skipped this one. Long and boring, a thousand-page soap opera. "
— John, 1/25/2014 -
" When I finished this book, I threw it away, so as to spare everyone else the misery. It started off strong, and had all the elements to be another great book, but the plot petered out and nothing really happened. The ending was a major let-down, especially after having read nearly 500 pages to get to it. Even if you're reading this series, I would skip this one (you won't miss anything). "
— Liam, 1/21/2014 -
" Probably the weakest of all the books in the Asian saga. It started strongly, but by the time I got two-thirds in I was just waiting for it to finish... "
— Emma, 1/20/2014 -
" Second part of the book is alot better than the first part. But in my opinion not the best of James Clavell. "
— Dajs, 1/19/2014 -
" This was an update to the original book - SHOGUN - and while it was interesting, it wasn't as good. "
— Marylu, 11/28/2013 -
" Kay, fucking long. Pretty good though, exotic, twists n turns, hot sex, lots of action and adventure. "
— Feathzzz, 11/11/2013 -
" One thousand one hundred and fifty pages.Yatto yomiowarimashita, "
— Todd, 11/10/2013 -
" Sad that Hag Struan was never finished. Love Clavell's Asian saga. "
— Carolyn, 11/8/2013 -
" Perhaps drags on a bit bringing things together. But a good story nonetheless. "
— Ian, 9/21/2013 -
" Excellent novel. Though not as great as Shogun! "
— Kareem, 7/27/2013 -
" Another wonderful James Clavell book. I was so upset when he died. He had great stories in his future. This one is set in Japan. I could probably read all of James Clavell books again. They are that great! "
— Karen, 5/18/2013 -
" This is the Clavell book I liked the least, though it was not a bad read. You need to like Clavell to like this book...this is his "Bear and the Dragon" (see Tom Clancy for that reference). "
— Aeli, 4/9/2013 -
" I'm a big fan of epic stories and really enjoyed many of James Clavell's other novels but this one never really got off the ground for me. "
— Peter, 2/18/2013 -
" 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! "
— Dana, 2/14/2013 -
" Did not like this period nor the characters that played upon it. "
— Douglas, 12/30/2012 -
" Takes place in Japan in 1863. "
— Mark, 12/28/2012 -
" So far so good! I absolutely love Shogun and think I will equally enjoy this one. More to come. "
— William, 11/18/2011 -
" Pirates, Japan, China, ships, trade? Sign me up. "
— Karla, 11/2/2011 -
" first 900 pages were really good, but Clavell doesn't wrap up 80% of the plot lines he created and spends the last 300 pages wrapping up the plots that i enjoyed the least. this book could have been two really good books but instead turned into one long book that lacked a conclusion. "
— Dweintrop, 9/5/2011 -
" I read this when I was a sophomore in high school and fell in love with James Clavell's writings. I love history, I love romance, and I love Japan and Gai-Jin has all three. I would most defiantly love to read this again. "
— Jessi, 5/17/2011 -
" Another amazing novel by James Clavell. While not as super-awesome as Shogun, it's still a wonderful read. "
— Plop246, 12/18/2010 -
" If you are up for 1234 pages in teeny tiny print, this is the book for you. Lots of intrigue and the story is engaging, but in the end I just wanted it to be overwith already. Really helpful if you have read the previous books in the "Shogun" series. "
— Cheryl, 10/30/2010 -
" This is the Clavell book I liked the least, though it was not a bad read. You need to like Clavell to like this book...this is his "Bear and the Dragon" (see Tom Clancy for that reference). "
— Aeli, 8/31/2010 -
" one of the best books ever ever written! "
— Kurt, 8/29/2010 -
" Hate the title, but it was more interesting and accurate than Shogun. That being said, it was bad anyway. "
— Tocotin, 8/18/2010 -
" Better than Taipan, worse than Shogun. Very complex plot. "
— Ahf, 5/3/2010 -
" This was an update to the original book - SHOGUN - and while it was interesting, it wasn't as good. "
— Marylu, 1/27/2010
About James Clavell
James Clavell (1921–1994) was a novelist, screenwriter, director, and World War II veteran and prisoner of war. He is best known for his epic Asian Saga novels, which launched with the 1962 bestseller King Rat, and their televised adaptations. He also wrote screenplays for such films as The Great Escape and The Fly, and was a writer, director, and producer on To Sir, with Love. His books Shogun, Noble House, Tai-Pan, and Whirlwind were #1 New York Times bestsellers.
About John Lee
John Lee is the winner of numerous Earphones Awards and the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration. He has twice won acclaim as AudioFile’s Best Voice in Fiction & Classics. He also narrates video games, does voice-over work, and writes plays. He is an accomplished stage actor and has written and coproduced the feature films Breathing Hard and Forfeit. He played Alydon in the 1963–64 Doctor Who serial The Daleks.