King Rat

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Summary: A deeply honest, revealing examination of humanity.
Review: King Rat is Clavell's best work. The story is engrossing, with an intriguing plot and beautifully worded prose. Readers may be so amazed at this fact that they ignore the larger genius inside the work -- a study of human suffering, survival, competition, ethics, and beliefs. Fears, petty hatreds, pleasures, religious convictions, and the constraint of social rules are all subjected to a scrutiny which turns one's views upside down. The wisdom that Mr. Clavell gained out of his experience at Changi during the war is expressed perfectly in this "fictional" account of life at that prison camp; the commentary on humanity seen in all of his other books in the Asian Saga are first seen here. Quite simply, a MUST READ!!!

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Summary: One of the best ever read
Review: A book at takes a look at leadership under extreme conditions. The best of the author and among the best otherwise.

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Summary: KIng Rat, tied with Shogun, is the best of Clavell's Asian..
Review: King Rat, tied with Shogun, is the best of Clavell's Asian Saga. He incorporated, and illustrated the very core of what it is to be a man. What makes this book an instant classic, is the simple, yet horrific, setting. Also, Clavell was able to fill each page with such meaning, he didn't have to make a several-hundred-page-behemoth of a book in order to digest the meaning within it. Compelling was the depth that a man falls to in such a desolate existance, and the measures required to lift a man up to some degree of dignity. For his ability to depict the strength of charicter of this western man in asia, Clavell has earned a place of honor among the great novellest of our time.

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Summary: Great Book
Review: For those of you who might think that a Clavell novel might be a little too long for you, this book is great, and the shortest of the six books in the Asian Saga. Plus it stands out in its own right as a book that will leave an impression on you. Emotionally, and as a result of reading a good book

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Summary: Most Interesting Ending
Review: This is an excellent book, and of the Clavell books I have read (all except Gai-Jin), this has the most interesting, if not the best, ending. It seemed to me that Clavell got slightly redundant with the "natural disaster" ending, but he managed to avoid it in this book. I found that the way the story and the character's individual stories were resolved (or rather unresolved) fit perfectly with the insanity that would be occurring in a WWII prison camp. Oh yeah, the rest of the book is pretty cool, too

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Summary: This book was a great yarn!
Review: I loved it! It showed how life was in a POW camp.It was a great story. It was humorous, and very original.

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Summary: A great study of the human psyche
Review: Circa 1962 Clavell astounds the reader with his insight to the human condition. From the beginning until the end, King Rat never ceases to surprise and evoke the dark humor concurrent withthe grim reality of terrible circumstances. I remember seeing this book in countless rucks during Viet Nam, read and re-read, taped together, dog eared and in heavily stressed condition then, passed along.

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Summary: The truly human side of history
Review: James Clavell's King Rat is a poignant, resonating tale about humanity and struggle in incredibly dire situations--namely, the World War II Japanese prison camp of Changi.

The bulk of the story, consisting of the life-and-death daily turmoil among the POWs, is deeply affecting and intriguing. Clavell writes concisely and powerfully. The brief descriptions and terse dialog amplify the emotion and passion of the story. It is not often that a book is truly "hard to put down" for me, but this was one of them. The pace of the book and the compassion I developed for the characters was such that I really didn't want to stop.

The ending left me profoundly melancholy--not necessarily a bad thing. Clavell creates intense moral questions for the reader about honor, duty, loyalty, love, and a thousand other human emotions. As the war ends and the prisoners are faced with the somehow-terrorizing concept of returning to normal life, the reader comes to grips with what truly matters in life, the hope and faith of the POWs, and the joy of life in the face of death.

King Rat is a whirlwind of emotion and adventure. It will heighten your understanding of World War II history and leave you questioning. A grand tale.

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Summary: My first Clavell read
Review: First of all this is the first book I have read by James Clavell and I really enjoyed it. Some of my first thoughts were that the prison was not quite as horrible as I expected, but that is where Clavell did a good job allowing us to see the prison through the eyes of the prisoners. This was a really drmactic page turner for the specific reasons that there are so many levels of plot development and happenings.

The two main characters are a British air officer named Marlowe and an American named the King. This book is of course about the psyche and human nature of survival in the face of insurmountable odds. When you read through the book you will think King is not so bad and doing what it takes to survive. By the end you will see the results of his behaviors, actions, and results. The last few pages are poetic and intense. I have read a lot of novels, and this one in my opinion is up there with the classics. Also King Rat could be read by people with all kinds of varying interests and enjoy it!

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Summary: ONE YOU WILL WANT TO REREAD
Review: Over the years I have reread this one several times and continue to be fastinated with this particular work. I, myself, feel this has gained "classic" status and eventhough I hate the term "a must read," but certainly feel this book falls into that category. The work graphically shows just what people will do when faced with circumstances completely out of their control. Recommend this read for any serious student of literature, history, miliary or otherwise, or psychology as well as those simply looking for a very good read.