King Rat
The Asian Saga, Book 4
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
£0.99/mo for the first 3 months
Prime members: New to Audible? Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
King Rat
Buy Now for £16.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Simon Vance
-
By:
-
James Clavell
About this listen
The epic novel of war, savagery, and survival in a Japanese POW camp by the #1 New York Times bestselling author and unparalleled master of historical fiction, James Clavell
Japanese POW camp Changi, Singapore: hell on earth for the soldiers contained within its barbed wire walls. Officers and enlisted men, all prisoners together, yet the old hierarchies and rivalries survive. An American corporal, known as the King, has used his personality and wiles to facilitate trading with guards and locals to get needed food, supplies, even information into the camp. The imprisoned upper-class officers have never had to do things for themselves, and now they are reduced to wearing rags while the King’s clean shirt, gained through guts and moxie, seems like luxury in comparison. In the camp, everything has its price and everything is for sale. But trading is illegal—and the King has made a formidable enemy. Robin Grey, the provost marshal, hates the King and all he represents. Grey, though he grew up modestly, fervently believes in the British class system: everyone should know their place, and he knows the King’s place is at the bottom.
The King does have a friend in Peter Marlowe, who, though wary of the King and himself a product of the British system, finds himself drawn to the charismatic man who just might be the only one who can save them from both the inhumanity of the prison camp but also from themselves. Powerful and engrossing, King Rat artfully weaves the author’s own World War II prison camp experiences into a compelling narrative of survival amidst the grim realities of war and what men can do when pushed to the edge. A taut masterwork of World War II historical fiction by bestselling author James Clavell.
©2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc. (P)2015 Blackstone AudioListeners also enjoyed...
![The Count of Monte Cristo [Classic Tales Edition] cover art](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61qIh7WPXVL._SL240_.jpg)
What listeners say about King Rat
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- dan Bassett
- 04-06-20
so good
the whole series is great 👍 ratking the NYC hip hop group named after this book
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ahmed Egeh
- 06-01-19
Great book
Amazing book. James Clavell died to young. Read all his books.
What else can be said.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Richard Stillman
- 26-06-17
King rat - bravo
Thoroughly enjoyed this story a great tale exposing the human frailties when survival comes hard.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- David Brevans
- 21-11-24
Just wow
As also great but this time so close to home with my relatives, can’t believe they live after this.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Simon T
- 21-08-21
TRULY exceptional book....
I am enjoying all of Clavell's Asian saga, one after the other....but THIS one....this one has had a profound effect on me. It is an incredible look at humanity. How the strong survive and the weak are trampled on or devoured by circumstances. In a truly unimaginable place and time... it has made me think of my Grandfather's generation who fought this terrible war ... How did anyone ever return to normal after such experiences? This is an INCREDIBLE story and I was captivated by every second of it... It is very moving in places and horrifying in others.... I hope you enjoy it as much I have ...it will leave its mark on you...of THAT I am very sure...
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Mrs Mayer
- 05-05-17
Very good
I enjoyed the earlier books in the Asian Saga and was also interested in this part of Singaporean history so decided to try this book though I'm not really a fan of prisoner of war type stories (or at least, I suppose what I thought of as prisoner of war type stories!) I needn't have been worried as the characters were engaging and it turned into the type of audiobook I couldn't put down. I found it VERY different from the earlier books in the series, more character than plot driven and definitely more of a stand alone novel (no need to have read or listened to the others at all). Also very well narrated; good enough that I know I'll listen again one day.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jockette61
- 03-06-17
Enjoyed this much better 2nd time around
I remember reading this 30 odd years ago, and not rating it particularly highly when compared to the other big 3 (Shogun, Tai-Pan, Noble House). However, I really enjoyed listening to this, and although remembering most of the story, found lots of new details. I had completely forgotten about the womens' stories, and they gave an interesting twist to the elements I had recalled. The narration was good - there was a very easy switching between the American, English and Australian accents, and all seemed quite authentic. I would certainly recommend this.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Mark A.
- 01-08-21
Enjoyable storyline
A very enjoyable story, not the best of Clavell’s but still very intriguing and engrossing. Credit to the narrator for reeling in the listener and using various voices, accents and even handling other languages well. Worth a listen if you like this series
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lorraine
- 05-04-24
Poignant
Another great book from James Clavell. Looking forward to reading the next one. Characters and story brought to life by narrator
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- warwick manning
- 25-08-20
Moving and Inspiring
Overall this book is truly a piece of history. I think at times the exact direction the narrative is headed is uncertain. However in the end this is reflected in the minds of the POWs and their own uncertainty. This book doesn't preach and it isn't overly pessimistic. Just true to life with its ups and downs. I was left with a sense of hope that the human spirit can endure so much, if only we can remember to treat out fellow man with the dignity we would wish upon ourselves. Self preservation is important but don't forget to preserve the good within your own soul.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful