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 J. W. Henley (2020), and Taipei People by Pai Hsien-yung (Chinese 1971; English edition 1982). Jenna is known for her strong opinions and she doesn’t disappoint in this wide-ranging discussion. Make sure to listen to the very end to hear about the Plum Rain Press book giveaway.

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 podcast, but they cover different ground in this Bookish Asia episode. Learn more about the novel at Amazon.com,  Plum Rain Press, or at Tim McGirk's website.

A video version of this chat is available on YouTube.

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 delicacy.

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 turn out to be an eight-year trek. This unique ground-level look at Taiwan resulted in a very special travelogue: Taiwanese Feet.  

For more information about the book, and Groot’s other writings on Taiwan and beyond, visit his blog: The Culture Shack.

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’s latest book, Dormice & Moonshine: Falling for Slovenia, a beautiful account of his travels around the former Yugoslav republic and his adventures buying a 300-year-old sausage-curing cabin in the Slovenia mountains.  

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 discussed photographing Taiwan in a bonus FF episode.  

For weekly stories about Taiwan history, check out FORMOSA FILES. Other social media: Facebook, Instagram, Youtube.

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 Meetings; and, What’s Up with Gambling, from Macau to the Financial Markets?

50 Useful Tips On China: From a guy who almost got it Kindle Edition by Ralph Jennings 

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.)

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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

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