BOOKISH ASIA with Plum Rain Press

With Episode 10 we’ve reached the end of our journey through Dr. Chen Yao-chang’s Three Tribes. Rather than give too much away about the novel’s final chapters here, we simply want to say thank you to everyone who has followed along with us. And special thanks to Scott Crawford for his help (learn more about his work at: www.scottforbescrawford.com)And although this is the end for Maria, Chen Ze, and Uma, it isn’t quite the end of the story for us. We are working on a historical drama series called Plunder Isle, which is also set in Taiwan’s wild 1600s. And if you have any suggestions for future book read-along series, let us know. Happy reading.E-book: A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa – e-bookPaperback / 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-part series is an experiment – hopefully the first of many such projects. But we need your feedback. Is this read-along useful and enjoyable? What other books would you like to see given this long-form treatment? We’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions.To buy the book:A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa – e-bookhttps://www.plumrainpress.com/product-page/a-tale-of-three-tribes-in-dutch-formosa-e-bookA Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa – paperback / collector’s editionhttps://www.plumrainpress.com/product-page/a-tale-of-three-tribes-in-dutch-formosa

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 Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa – e-bookhttps://www.plumrainpress.com/product-page/a-tale-of-three-tribes-in-dutch-formosa-e-bookA Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa – paperback / collector’s editionhttps://www.plumrainpress.com/product-page/a-tale-of-three-tribes-in-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 make the long voyage from the Netherlands. Events in Formosa are about to take an even darker turn. Locusts, earthquakes, a typhoon, hunger and disease descend upon the colony. Against this background, John and Scott look at everyday life in Dutch Formosa, religious tensions, the great Indigenous gathering known as the Landdag – and Maria’s growing realization that the Netherlands she left behind is becoming increasingly distant.To follow the series:Bookish Asia with Plum Rain Press – Apple PodcastsBookish Asia with Plum Rain Press – SpotifyTo buy the book:A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa – e-bookA Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa – paperback / collector’s edition

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 Nation – Zhou Youguang, Father of the Pinyin Writing System by Mark O’Neill (Joint Publishing H.K., 2023)