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“My Neighbour, The Dictator” by Tari Lang
The years immediately following Indonesian independence were optimistic ones. The early 1950s are remembered as the “parliamentary period” of pluralism, when communists, socialists, nationalists, Islamists and the military vied for positions in the government. But debate between these parties was fierce from the beginning and quickly became vicious. After national elections in September 1955, a…
“Rising China, Chinese Cultural and its Transformation in Southeast Asia”
The rise of China as a global superpower, and the myriad impacts of “rising China” on Southeast Asia have energised…
“The Forest of Snow” by Swami Ramananda Bharati
In Hindu mythology, the snow-capped region of Kailash in Tibet is believed to be the abode of Kailashpati or Lord…
“The Nylon Hotel: Buying Rubies and Following the Circus in Myanmar” by Daniel Ehrlich
Daniel Ehrlich spent four decades as a laboratory head at MIT, leading national programs in semiconductors and optics. Beginning in…
“Sea of Treasures” by Jeremy A Simmons
When Alaric laid siege to Rome in 408 CE, the desperate city sued for peace, paying 5,000 pounds of gold,…
“Electric Vehicles: Implications for Developing Countries”
Electric Vehicles is a dense and chart-laden monograph; it is not for the faint-hearted. What makes it worth the effort, however, is its focus on developing countries (rather than the main players of China, the US, Europe and Japan) and that the “developing countries” in question are all in Southeast Asia. In addition to industry…
“This is Where the Serpent Lives” by Daniyal Mueenuddin
In This is Where the Serpent Lives, Daniyal Mueenuddin unpacks the nuances of the Pakistani landowning class through rich, in-depth characterisation filled with complex interpersonal dynamics that shed light on the realities of class, discrimination and social mobility. Divided into four sections, each with a different narrator, the novel explores the interconnected lives of characters…
“Patchwork Dolls” by Ysabelle Cheung
In the title story of Ysabelle Cheung’s debut story collection Patchwork Dolls, the narrator Sophia and her childhood friends sell…
“Kiki and the New Magic” by Eiko Kadono
The young witch Kiki, protagonist of Eiko Kadano’s beloved Kiki’s Delivery Service, is now fourteen years old. After a quick…
“The Girl With The Seven Lives” by Vikas Swarup
This review was originally posted in August 2024 and has been re-posted for its US release. Vikas Swarup is interested…
“Beyond Mount Kailash” by Mitya New
Mitya New’s earlier career as a foreign correspondent in Hong Kong, China, and Europe and his present position at universities…
“The First House” by Avni Doshi
The First House opens with a dramatic pitch: a woman’s husband walks into their bedroom and tells her, with no warning, that the marriage is over. She’s stunned; she thought her marriage perfect. In her latest novel, Doshi gives readers a raw, jolting look into how the unnamed narrator comes apart in the months after…
“Snakes of Singapore: A Slightly Unhinged Field Guide” by Juliette Yu-Ming Lizeray
Meet Singapore’s strangest inhabitants. The snake that cartwheels. The snake that clones itself. The snake that flies through the air. Snakes are everywhere in Singapore, gliding through mangroves, sunning on…
“My Wild City: Finding Nature, Meaning, and Hope in India’s Capital” by Neha Sinha
In My Wild City, acclaimed nature writer Neha Sinha takes us on an unforgettable journey through the hidden wildernesses of the bustling metropolis of Delhi, India, where she finds as…
“Chinese Media Improvisations” by Xuenan Cao
Xuenan Cao offers an unexpected angle on China’s technological rise, spotlighting the role of deficit-driven improvisation. As Cao demonstrates, where printing paper, computers, and microchips have been in shortage, media…
“Stormy Seas” by Thung-Hong Lin
How can a small democracy resist the influence of a powerful authoritarian neighbor? Taiwan is frequently praised for its successful economic development and peaceful transition to democracy, serving as a…
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