- Paperback: 320 pages
- Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton Ltd; New edition edition (10 Mar 1994)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0340204451
- ISBN-13: 978-0340204450
- Product Dimensions: 16.8 x 11.2 x 3.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 503,377 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I must admit I am not a big J.C fan, and his other books, the noble house etc, seem to me shallow to say the least, perhaps its because he does not speak from personal experience, but this book is by far the most compelling of his books I have ever read, he has the ability to create his own micro-cosmus, inside a closed camp, and to bring all the human vices to life. The world of imegary is compelling as is the end, it is certainly a book I would be honored to have decorate my book shelf, What appealed to me mostly in that book is that unlike all other books, J.C did not try to hide behind history, you could have felt him inside of the book, and that made the book a true account of his experience, too many authors nowdays take the easy way out, even our Mr. Clavell, but here it does not happen and a real masterpiece originated. This is an account of life in a POW camp, and as a micro-cosmus it has its kings, who represent the good, its evil ministers, who represent the bad, and the balance shifts from side to side throughout the book, however J.C manages to build a plot on top of a plot which makes the reader fathom the true nature of the acts in symbolical plains. That is the working of a good author, and the makings of a good book.
Too bad it didn't last in his other books :(
Format:Paperback
I kind of enjoyed Shogun but didn't really enjoy any of the rest of Clavell's novels and nearly didn't bother with this one. However, as soon as I began reading I could not put it down. It is a truly fascinating and thrilling account of life in Changi prisoner of war camp. Everything was very carefully and accurately observed and everything has a strong ring of truth to it. There are really fascinating character studies and a lot of interesting detail combined with a very good narrative. Excellent fodder for the amateur historian. For me, this was such a contrast to the tedious, one-dimensional, misogynistic melodrama of his later works. They say that most writers only have one good book in them -- well -- in my opinion King Rat is Clavell's and I would highly recommend you read it.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4 reviews
One of my favorite books ever!
19 Feb 2012
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is awesome, I absolutely love it and recommend it! I will probably read it a hundred more times!
King Rat is about POW's and should be written about.
9 Jan 2012
Format:Paperback
This book is not like the others of the saga, but that does not diminish it in significance. This book is a depiction of the author's experiences as a POW and to denigrate that is a sin of the worst kind. This book is real. It is autobiographical. To compare his works to Hogan's Heros is an injustice. James Clavell's books are full of wisdom and insight into the hearts of men. His wisdom embodies body, soul and spirit. Just because it is different from the other books, does not diminish it in any way. The book made me cry at the end, because it made us see how the POW's were looked upon with scrutinizing eyes from those who had not right to judge them. They were looked upon with condescension and judgement arrogantly. These men were heros and were judged by their emanciated appearances. The King, could only operate at his best when other men were dependent on him under the environment of a prison camp, probably due to his impoverished upbringing. But in times of peace when they were no longer imprisoned, he became nothing. Was he a hero or a villian. To me it depended upon the circumstances. He played upon the men and used them, was a hero to a few and a menace to others. Clavell summed it up the best at the end. He was the King of Rats, and they became rats in the prison camp because that is what their reality became.
Brilliant piece of work!
19 Aug 2010
Format:Paperback
Hands down possibly one of the best books I've ever read! I'll never take a fried egg for granted again!!
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