King Rat by James , Clavell

Set during World War II, King Rat describes the struggle for survival of British, Australian, and American prisoners of war in Singapore in the Japanese camp Changi.  The novel opens in 1945 and follows Peter Marlowe, a British Flight Lieutenant, and "the King", an American corporal who has become the most successful trader and black marketeer in all of camp.  In King Rat we learn about the previous lives of the men, what survival is, how the camp operates, and what happens after the war ends by atomic bomb.

This is Clavell's first novel and is informed by his own stay in Changi. Marlowe is said to be a representation of Clavell's experiences.  King Rat was long, intense, deeply detailed, and pretty darn good.  It isn't my favorite type of novel because it's a bit depressing, but it is a good, informative read with believable, real characters, tragedy, triumph, and complexity.  Marlowe's struggles with honor, morals, ethnics, desire, and "good business" strung throughout, making the reader consider his/her own values.   I recommend this for men, fans of war novels, philosophers, and historians.

4 out of 5 stars.