Asian Saga book 1 · 1962
King Rat
In 1945, in the Changi prisoner of war camp in Singapore, an American corporal known as the King runs a black market that lets him live in comfort while the other prisoners starve. A young RAF officer, Peter Marlowe, becomes his partner. Based on Clavell’s own experience.
Spoiler-free summary written for The Recurring Cast.
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Book facts
- Author
- James Clavell
- Series
- Asian Saga, book 1 of 6
- Published
- 1962
- Setting
- Set in Singapore
- Story order
- Book 4 by the story’s timeline
- Characters charted
- 2
- Chart confidence
- High
In story order: after Gai-Jin and before Noble House.
Who is in King Rat
2 recurring or key characters from James Clavell’s chart. Introduces Peter Marlowe and The King.
Lead 1
- Peter MarloweFirst appearanceRAF officer in Changi
Major 1
- The KingFirst appearanceAmerican corporal who runs the black market