James Clavell (1924-1994) was a British author of historical fiction, screenwriter and director. Clavell was a World War II veteran and was a Japanese POW – experiences he borrowed upon in his career as a novelist (most notably in King Rat). He wrote the screenplays to various films, including The Fly and The Great Escape. Clavell was an admirer of Ayn Rand and sent her a copy of Noble House that read, “This is for Ayn Rand – one of the real, true talents on this earth for which many, many thanks.”
James Clavell became a published novelist in 1962 with the novel King Rat. Below is a list of James Clavell’s books in order of when they were originally published:
For me, none of Clavell’s other books lived up to Shogun, but Shogun is, truly, a masterpiece.
There is a new version of “King Rat” but even googling it, I can’t find it! AS I recall, it contained additions put in by women, some of them perhaps related to Clavell (?) to show the women’s side of the war at home (England) and in Asia…..if anyone else knows what I’m referring to and can tell me, I’d appreciate it!
LOVE Shogun, which is based on historical facts, true to life, true to the culture it represents!
Clavell spent much of his life in Asia. AND was a POW of the Japanese during WWII (see “King Rat”)…..so he certainly KNEW and UNDERSTOOD the culture, especially as it was before the 1950’s and the changes brought about by the end of war.
To see how ACCURATE Clavell was in depicting this era of Japanese history, see the late film (1980) by the great Japanese director Akira Kurasawa, who directed one of his last movies, “Kagemusha” set in the same time period as Shogun…..a wonderful movie, as Shogun is a great book!
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For me, none of Clavell’s other books lived up to Shogun, but Shogun is, truly, a masterpiece.
There is a new version of “King Rat” but even googling it, I can’t find it! AS I recall, it contained additions put in by women, some of them perhaps related to Clavell (?) to show the women’s side of the war at home (England) and in Asia…..if anyone else knows what I’m referring to and can tell me, I’d appreciate it!
LOVE Shogun, which is based on historical facts, true to life, true to the culture it represents!
Clavell spent much of his life in Asia. AND was a POW of the Japanese during WWII (see “King Rat”)…..so he certainly KNEW and UNDERSTOOD the culture, especially as it was before the 1950’s and the changes brought about by the end of war.
To see how ACCURATE Clavell was in depicting this era of Japanese history, see the late film (1980) by the great Japanese director Akira Kurasawa, who directed one of his last movies, “Kagemusha” set in the same time period as Shogun…..a wonderful movie, as Shogun is a great book!