BOOKISH ASIA with Plum Rain Press

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-book
https://www.plumrainpress.com/product-page/a-tale-of-three-tribes-in-dutch-formosa-e-book

A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa – paperback / collector’s edition
https://www.plumrainpress.com/product-page/a-tale-of-three-tribes-in-dutch-formosa

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, as Reverend Antonius Hambroeck is sent into Fort Zeelandia with Koxinga’s demand for surrender – will he urge the Dutch defenders to yield or to keep fighting?
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 about East Asia (fiction or non-fiction) 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-book
https://www.plumrainpress.com/product-page/a-tale-of-three-tribes-in-dutch-formosa-e-book
A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa – paperback / collector’s edition
https://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-book
https://www.plumrainpress.com/product-page/a-tale-of-three-tribes-in-dutch-formosa-e-book
A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa – paperback / collector’s edition
https://www.plumrainpress.com/product-page/a-tale-of-three-tribes-in-dutch-formosa

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 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 Podcasts
Bookish Asia with Plum Rain Press – Spotify
To buy the book:
A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa – e-book
A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa – paperback / collector’s edition