Episodes

Things move quickly as various threads come together in this gripping episode. The Dutch colony is nearing its end. Maria Hambroeck learns the fate of her family. If you’ve come this far in our trial ten-part series, we’re very grateful. Thanks. And just in case you want to buy the book (to read along or for a friend): E-book: A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa – e-book Paperback / Collector’s Edition: A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa – paperback

John Ross and Scott Crawford continue their ten-part read-along of Dr. Chen Yao-chang’s A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa. This section of the novel, called “The Siege,” takes us deeper into 1661. Governor Frederick Coyett and the remaining VOC forces are still holding out inside Fort Zeelandia – and still clashing with Koxinga’s forces. We get action aplenty, but also quieter moments, such as when Maria Hambroeck unexpectedly finds herself working as an interpreter for Koxinga. This ten-...

Scott Crawford and John Ross continue their ten-part read-along of Dr. Chen Yao-chang’s A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa. Part Six of the novel, “At War,” brings us to 1661 and the invasion of Dutch Formosa. Koxinga’s fleet appears out of the fog and brings his forces ashore by an unexpected route. Fort Provintia falls, Dutch civilians flee through the countryside, and Fort Zeelandia becomes the last major VOC stronghold. The episode also brings us to one of the siege’s most famous scenes...

Scott Crawford and John Ross continue their epic read-along, covering the years 1656–1660, as pressure builds on Dutch Formosa. Across the Taiwan Strait, Koxinga launches his great – but unsuccessful – campaign against Nanjing. A defector presents Koxinga with a plan for making Taiwan his new base. Meanwhile, Maria comes increasingly to regard Formosa as home. And Governor Frederick Coyett is convinced that an invasion is coming – but not everyone in the VOC agrees. To buy the book: A Tale of T...

John Ross and Scott Crawford pause at the halfway point of their ten-part read-along to look at the story behind Dr. Chen Yao-chang’s novel and the man himself. We also learn about Scott. Next time, it will be back to 1661 and Koxinga’s invasion of Dutch Formosa.

If you've made it to Episode 5, you are a true fan; thank you. In this chat, Scott Crawford and John Ross continue their ten-part read-along of Dr. Chen Yao-chang’s wonderful novel A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa, beautifully translated by Ho Wen-ching and edited by Ian Maxwell. Part Four, “Epidemic,” takes us into the uneasy aftermath of the bloody 1652 revolt. Chinese immigration to Dutch Formosa begins again, while Maria Hambroeck waits for news of Jan and hopes that he will finally ...

John Ross and Scott Crawford continue their ten-partread-along of Dr. Chen Yao-chang’s epic novel A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa, translated by Ho Wen-ching. Part Three, Shackles, takes us to September 1652 and one of the bloodiest episodes in the history of Dutch Formosa: the Guo Huaiyi Rebellion. Thousands of Chinese farmers rise up against the Dutch East India Company. In Mattau, the Dutch call on their Indigenous allies for help. Meanwhile, Koxinga – watching events from across the ...

John Ross and Scott Crawford continue their ten-part read-along of Chen Yao-Chang’s historical novel A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa. In Episode 3, covering Chapters 9–16, the story moves through the years 1649–1651. Maria Hambroeck is settling into life in Formosa, while Uma’s Dutch education brings new opportunities but also raises questions about the changes taking place in Siraya society. Meanwhile, Chen Ze is making his way in the Chinese maritime world. Read along with us as we wo...

Scott Crawford and John Ross continue their special ten-part series devoted to Chen Yao-chang’s historical novel A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa, translated by Ho Wen-ching. In Episode 2, covering Chapters 5–8, we head out to sea. We meet Chen Ze, a Chinese mariner operating in the trading world built by Zheng Zhilong (merchant, pirate, admiral and father of the man who would become known as Koxinga). Meanwhile, Maria Hambroeck and her family are making their own long voyage to Formosa....

John Ross and writer Scott Crawford begin a special ten-part read-along series on Chen Yao-Chang’s historical novel A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa. The English edition, translated by Wen-ching Ho and edited by Ian Maxwell, is now available as an ebook as well as a paperback from the Plum Rain Press website. In Episode 1, we are in the Netherlands in 1646. Sixteen-year-old Maria Hambroeck learns that her missionary father is taking the family halfway around the world to Formosa, leaving...

John talks to Lee Moore about his unconventional history book, China’s Backstory, which focuses on four important China-related subjects that frequently make headlines: Taiwan, Xinjiang, the Chinese economy, and Hong Kong. John previously discussed the book’s Taiwan section with Lee on an episode of Formosa Files, and its Xinjiang and Hong Kong sections on the Books on Asia podcast. This time, they turn their attention to China’s economy, focusing on three historical periods that offer powerful ...

Minnesotan Sarah Coomber discusses life in small-town Japan in the 1990s, the subject of her beautiful memoir. She arrived there as a recently divorced twenty-four-year-old hoping to spend a quiet, reflective year teaching English on the JET Program. But before long, she wouldbefriend a local salaryman and…

New Zealand writer Frank Beyer (who goes under the name F.E. Beyer) talks to John about novels featuring a much maligned creature: the Western English teacher in East Asia. Frank is something of a connoisseur of these stories, and his latest novel, The Crushed Can, adds to the canon. This fun page-turner is set in Shanghai in 2002, where a young protagonist called Kurt has just made his life more complicated by taking in his friend’s former girlfriend, a Chinese woman called Ronghua. Exploring ...

John chats with Jenna Cody about some of her favorite works of Taiwan fiction. Jenna, an American based in Taipei, is the author of the long-running blog Lao Ren Cha (now on Substack). Lao Ren Cha (“Old Man Tea”) is the most popular English-language blog on Taiwan; it focuses on Taiwan culture, politics, and books. In this Bookish Asia episode, the four main works discussed are Green Island by Shawna Yang Ryan (2016), The Butcher’s Wife by Li Ang (Chinese 1983; English edition 1986), Migrante by...

The first emperor of China dispatched a Taoist priest named Xu Fu to bring back the elixir of immortality. Xu Fu and his fleet vanished. Some legends say he settled in Japan. In Tim McGirk's novel, Xu Fu goes beyond Japan, traversing the Pacific Ocean and landing upon the shores of the land of the Maya. In this fun conversation, John Ross and Tim McGirk discuss Xu Fu, Tim's novel and his work as a foreign correspondent for Time magazine. Note: John also talked with Tim on the Books on Asia podca...

Busan-based author Chris Tharp chats with John about The Cuttlefish, his hilarious novel set in the fictional East Asian island nation of Sukhan. The protagonist, an American called Zach, finds himself in Sukhan’s toughest prison: National Correctional Facility Number 4, nicknamed “the Cuttlefish.” That might sound bleak but this story is a huge amount of fun. Listen and learn what the the author and the main character have in common – and whether the miraculous gayabonga is an actual Korean del...

China Running Dog by Mark Kitto Controversial China figure and author Mark Kitto chats with John about his new novel, China Running Dog, set in the days of peak Shanghai Fever. It’s a brilliant novel and arguably more revealing than Kitto’s excellent memoirs; China Cuckoo and That’s China.

Taiwanese Feet: My walk around Taiwan by John Groot (Almas Books, 2020) Canadian John Groot first came to Taiwan in 2001, fell in love with the island and its friendly people, and decided to stay. Years later, looking for a big adventure and a way to forge deeper bonds with his adopted home, he decided to walk around the entire coastline of Taiwan. He set off on foot from his home in Tamsui in the far north of the country, traveling clockwise around the island on weekends and holidays. It would...

Sam Baldwin chats about his life-changing two years as an English teacher on the JET Programme in the Japanese town of Ono, Fukui Prefecture. Snow-loving Sam made the most of his time in this backwoods location, especially during the winters, one of which was a record-breaker. For Fukui’s Sake is a standout among the books written by JET participants, which is why John asked Sam to contribute to an anthology, Inaka: Portraits of Life in Rural Japan. This Bookish Asia episode also touches on Sam’...

John talks with Taipei-based photographer Chris Stowers about his new book, “Shoot, Ask ... and Run!,” an account of his journalistic travels and life in Asia in the early 1990s. On this episode adventures are discussed, the romance of pre-Internet travel fondly recalled, and favorite books given praise. If you want to hear about Chris’s first travelogue, “⁠Bugis Nights,” you can listen to the three-part “Free China Junk” story told on Formosa Files: the History of Taiwan podcast. Chris also di...

Veteran East Asia journalist Ralph Jennings discusses his guide to understanding Chinese people and culture. His “Useful Tips” are better described as “insights,” as these are not your usual “Never stick chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice” or “Never give a clock as a gift” kind of advice. Among the 50 chapters in Ralph’s book are: Why It’s Always So Noisy in China; Family as an Economic, Social and Religious Unit; Who to Impress if Marrying a Chinese Person; Why Hands Don’t Get Raised at Meeti...

Zhou Youguang (周有光) was one of the creators of Hanyu Pinyin, a system of romanization for Chinese characters. Introduced to PRC elementary schools in the late 1950s, it was instrumental in improving China’s literacy rates. Zhou had an extraordinary life and a long one, living to the age of 111. Prolific Hong Kong-based author Mark O’Neill shares his knowledge and admiration for this underappreciated scholar. (Apologies for the audio quality.) Book featured: The Man Who Made China a Literate Na...

Robert Norris has been in Japan since 1983, mostly in Dazaifu (near Fukuoka on the island of Kyushu). He retired from university teaching in 2016, returning once more to his passion of writing. The result is a memoir of his and his mother’s life. In this episode we look at Robert’s life in Japan, from his early days learning Japanese by being in a softball team to his busy university years as a dean. For more information on his writing, visit his website: https://robertwnorris.com//about.html ...

Chris Ruffle returns to Bookish Asia (we covered his memoir A Decent Bottle of Wine in China in Episode 2) to discuss his autobiographical novel, which is set in Beijing in 1983. After decades of Cold War tensions, China is starting to reopen to the West. In the story, a young Englishman, working at a trading company, finds himself in a budding romance. But there’s a problem; the father of the Chinese woman he likes is asking for access to forbidden foreign technology. The Barter Trade: a Novel...