Pàng-to̍k: A Collection of Taiwanese Hokkien Novels

Pàng-to̍k: A Collection of Taiwanese Hokkien Novels Spreading global biological attacks, spreading island-wide rumors and falsehoods. How can we guard against the poison of red suppression and the persecution of freedom? Du Xin-Long, a Taiwanese Hokkien writer with an electrical engineering background, has accumulated nearly a decade of writing. He hopes to explore authentic Taiwanese Hokkien through his work, conveying local life experiences, the foundation of language and culture, a profound affection and concern for his mother tongue and history, and his passion and indignation towards social issues and political realities. These emotions are transformed into a series of light-hearted yet clearly reasoned short stories. His works often exhibit the rational deduction and thought processes of scientific training, with a steady hand crafting narratives that seek a warm understanding of human nature and worldly affairs, while simultaneously possessing a sharp insight that pierces through the lingering power and injustice of colonial authoritarianism. This volume includes a total of 12 short and flash fiction stories. Some stories address Taiwan's great crisis in facing Communist China externally, and internally, the entanglements of local history, politics, and "transitional justice." Others delicately explore and examine human nature, love, and doctor-patient relationships. The title story, "Pàng-to̍k" (Poisoning), uses the Wuhan pneumonia pandemic as its theme, developing a national security crisis where Communist Chinese forces infiltrate Taiwan, attempting to use women to seduce pilots, penetrate the air force to spread viruses, and steal military secrets. "The Trial" and "San-kha-á" explore what kind of justice is needed between the descendants of White Terror victims, political prisoners, and their perpetrators. "PP Gene New Mutation," "Vote Dodging," and "Red Envelope Gift" offer insightful and satirical observations of politicians' facades and election culture. The plots are captivating, and the endings are powerful. ◎ This volume uses traditional Pe̍h-ōe-jī (POJ) with Han-lo (Chinese characters and POJ) usage referencing "Tâi-bûn Thong-sìn BONG-pò." ◎ This work has received support from the National Culture and Arts Foundation Publication Grant. Acclaimed Recommendations Chiang Wei-Wen | Professor, Department of Taiwanese Literature, National Cheng Kung University Tēng-pang Suyaka Chiu | Taiwanese Hokkien Writer, Inheritor of Taiwanese Folk Songs and Kenting Ballads Lîm Jū-khái | Assistant Professor, Department of Taiwanese Literature, Taiwanese Hokkien Poet, Songbook Writer Author Biography Du Xin-Long (Tō͘ Sìn-liông) Born in 1981 in Wanli, Tainan. Graduated with a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering from National Central University in 2006. Currently works for a foreign company. He did not receive formal Taiwanese Hokkien education or literary training. In June 2013, he returned to Tainan from Taipei and realized that his siblings only spoke Mandarin, which pressured his mother, who was one of the few who could speak Taiwanese Hokkien. From then on, he began to learn to write in Taiwanese Hokkien, became familiar with Taiwanese Hokkien writers (Taiwanese Hokkien Literary Society), and read Taiwanese Hokkien books, aiming to reclaim the language. He hopes to fight for Taiwanese Hokkien literature and the status of Taiwanese Hokkien in the future, seeking dignity for his mother tongue. Table of Contents Foreword | The Guardian Engineer of Taiwanese Hokkien Literature / Chiang Wei-Wen Foreword | Water Flowing from the Heart / Tēng-pang Suyaka Chiu Foreword | Taiwanese Hokkien People Who Once Had Parents / Lîm Jū-khái Author's Preface | Bearing the Burden / Du Xin-Long Pàng-to̍k (Poisoning) The Secret with the Female Colleague A-Tiong and A-Gī The Trial Love Dagger Tianxing Creek River A-Fen A-Lâm San-kha-á PP Gene New Mutation Vote Dodging Red Envelope Gift Work Writing and Publication Records ISBN: 9786267325131 Publisher: Forward Specifications: Paperback / 208 pages / 15 x 21 x 1.04 cm / General Audience / Monochrome Printing / First Edition Publication Location: Taiwan