Noble House

One of the best novels I ever read...!

This is a book I read over twenty years ago and I'm ready to read it again. I lived in this book and was constantly learning little things about Eurasians and Asian culture while reading it, totally fascinated the whole time I read it, and very sad to turn the last page -- wishing this book would go on for at least 4 more 1,200-page volumes. I have read most of Clavell's other books, and they were all a letdown to me after reading this book. That critic who made fun of this book and put it down is sooo full of baloney! If I find 3 other novels in my lifetime as entertaining, educational and fun to read as this one, (and as long), I'll be a happy woman.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Brilliant!

This book was great! It was as satisfying to read as Shogun. The characters (and their colloquial expressions!) are very colorful. The book is filled with so many amazing ingredients of drama. The tragic ending was very powerful and reminded me of some of the writings of the famous Russian writers. This book is worth reading over and over!

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Read this one 11 times!!!!!!!!!!

For a 1100+ page book to cover only 1 week this book was phenomenal. I love all of Clavell's characters and truly hated reaching that last page; all 11+ times. It has been a number of years since I last read and I believe number 12 may be approaching.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Superb even after 30 years

The miniseries was good but did not do the book justice.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Only one thing wrong with this book.

It had to end:-(

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

I have read it four times.....it captures Hong Kong as I remembe

I have read it four times.....it captures Hong Kong as I remember it....accurate and entertaining!ye

Great Book

I bought the james clavell paper back collection for a friend. He can't stop reading them. Excellent books so he says. I read alittle bit I can see what hes talking about. James Clavell is an excellent writer.

Disappointing

Characters are one dimensional. Plot is not engaging. If you want to read more interesting historical fiction, try the Edward Rutherfurd books instead.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Okay, but not great...

Noble House was a bit longer than it needed to be. I think the author spent too much time on the plot involving the KGB and Brian Kwok. But it was an OK novel and it was interesting I have to give it that. I learned a lot about big business in Hong Kong in the 60's, and how ruthless businessmen can be. And the characters seemed like 'real' people to me. The ending was sad but in a way triumphant as well.

Outstanding book from an outstanding historian

Noble House is just another example of how well James Clavell uses historical references to build a riveting plot. He is an expert at developing even the most side characters. This novel, like his others, is very long (if you can believe it, the novel only spans a weeks worth of time in 1960's Hong Kong) and has lulls in the adventure and drama, but getting through those lulls is well worth it. Every time I finish a book of his, I feel a little loss that I won't be able to share the experiences of the Taipan of the Noble House or any of the other various characters I have gotten to know. And you don't have to start at the beginning to get this novel. You can read Taipan and Gaijin later. Great book and well worth the effort. I only wish he were still alive to write about Hong Kong today.

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