Customer Reviews

Half Baked in Taiwan

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Although this book has some very interesting insights into Taiwan's culture, it was a disappointment. Too many words are devoted to the author's whining about not understanding or fitting in to the culture. For example, the traffic is not the complete chaos as described. The traffic laws and signals are used as loose guidelines that lead to an elaborate ballet-like movement of cars, motorbikes, scooters and pedestrians.
Another problem is that the book is a series of vignettes, some of which survive on their own, some of which just mystify the reader (a set of diary excerpts about some fashion show is one example) because they are not placed in any context. Alas, there are few books describing Taiwan from an American viewpoint. Yet, with the high price for a slim paperback, I would only give this book a half-hearted endorsement.

I gave myself several weeks to sit on this book before I submitted a review. I was so disappointed after reading Half Baked in Taiwan that I didn't want to sit down and immediately start reeling off things that were wrong with it. I wanted to digest it a bit before I reviewed it.

Two weeks have passed and I am still annoyed at having read this book. My mistake was being fooled into thinking it was worth the purchase. When I put it on my wish list, I had read nothing but good reviews. When I got it for Christmas, I was excited to read it because of those reviews.

As it turns out, I shouldn't have believed the hype. An Internet search leads me to believe that several of the reviews posted here are friends of the author. I was able to find the very same reviews being touted as 'expert reviews' on a website where Mrs. Fowler has some web space along with other authors.

So what is wrong with this book? Let me preface this by giving my "credentials", if you will. My wife, who I have been with for 7 years, is Taiwanese. We have been to the island together twice. She and her entire family were born there. Her immediate family lives in the US and we frequently spend time together. While I do not claim to be an expert on Taiwan, my comments don't come with zero experience either. Additionally, I questioned my wife frequently while reading this book to make sure my annoyances were well founded.

I expected this book to be a humorous look at a culture different from our own, but one I am familiar with all the same. I also expected to read a variety of small things the author liked and disliked while living in Taiwan. Instead, I find this text to be a thinly veiled attempt in which the author repeatedly claims Taiwanese people do scores of things the wrong way. Page after page I could not shake the feeling that this was an outlet for her not being happy in Taiwan.

For an English teacher, I find the composition to be below average. She should have added another 50 pages to expand her ideas. Too often the reader is left with an unclear notion of precisely what the author is trying to say. The text is often comprised of sentences which are a hybrid between full sentences and poetic verse, even ignoring the untasty dim sum chapters.

One reviewer's comment that this book, "By far describes the real Taiwan culture," is so far removed from reality that I find it almost impossible to believe the reviewer has been to Taiwan as claimed. I see little resemblance between Taiwanese life and that as described in this book.

I don't think the author ever truly attempts to immerse herself in the culture in an effort to fully absorb it. As opposed to being a sponge and allowing it seep in, she acts as a raft which floats above it; in contact but not in. She doesn't let the culture become part of her, and the result is her frequently commenting about not understanding various idiosyncrasies of Taiwan; and how things should change to her standards.

As far as being factually accurate, I find several of the passages either incorrect or deficient. As an avid tea drinker, the chapter on tea can hardly be considered complete as she does not utter the word 'Oolong' once. How one manages to write about tea and Taiwan and not mention Oolong is puzzling, as Taiwan is known primarily for its Oolong tea production. In fact, it's world famous.

I feel somewhat bad writing this review because such a meager amount of literature exists discussing Taiwan. Having been there, I enjoy the country and try to read as much as I can about it. But this book is so severely lacking that it's hard for me to recommend it. In fact, it's impossible to do such a thing.

In summary, here's how I would typify this book. The last time I was in Taiwan, I was asked how I would describe the country. I said the 3 best things are the tea, the food, and the scenery. The fact that the author only touches on one of these 3 topics extensively (and does a mediocre job at that) is reason enough to not recommend this.

Considering my general opinion of the book, combined with the price, and the paltry 168 pages of text, there's no way I can honestly sit here and say you should buy this book. Those interested in reading about Taiwan would be better off buying Culture Shock, Taiwan by Chris & Ling-Li Bates or the Lonely Planet travel guide by Robert Storey. Both of those give the reader a more accurate narrative on the culture, both are more smoothly written, and both are better values.

Half Baked needs more time in the oven. Leave it there and buy a better book.

So you're thinking about visiting Taiwan. So you're thinking maybe you should read about life in that island nation before you go. Then "Half Baked in Taiwan" is the book for you. Beth Fowler, self-described expatriate American, has written a funny, insightful, and at times shocking, account of her life in Taiwan.

Fowler explores and explains to us pale (thus the phrase "Half Baked") Euro-origin Westerners the Taiwanese version of such activities as eating, driving, sports, dating and marriage, stimulants both legal and addictive, earthquakes, shopping, personal space, and that all-important, yet often misunderstood, "face".

Bear in mind in Taiwan many of these activities are conducted simultaneously, with little regard for anyone's safety.

Fowler, a world traveler and accomplished observer of human nature, has produced a book that is more than just a travelogue. Even as she is relating her experiences in Taiwan through a Westerner's eyes, she is detailing an ancient Asian culture as it enters the 21st century. Buddhist monks jostle with old ladies in the post office. The military conducts exercises in case the Peoples Republic of China invades the Taiwan Republic of China. Christmas decorations may stay year round. "Why take them down? They're pretty."

Some comments for when you go to Taiwan. Save your efforts to be American style friendly. Traditionally, Chinese rely on close friends and family to fulfill their business, financial, babysitting, and care giving needs. Never strangers. They simply are unaccustomed to, and sometimes confounded by, our "Hi! How you doing?" friendliness.

Finally, if someone says to you "You've gained a little weight" you are to be complimented. Why? Because that means the speaker is showing a sincere concern for your health. If you have indeed gained weight, well, you have "more gravity".

You see, it's just like here. Only different.

Having been to Taiwan on 2 seperate trips I have read almost every book about Taiwan culture I could get my hands on. This book "by far" describes the real Taiwan culture as I experienced it and none of this info will be found in your standard Taiwan travel guide.

This is the real deal, the good and the strange and all the above are described here in a very witty way. Beth Fowler also does a wonderful job describing foods, customs, culture in a way I never could, I am going to buy copies for my family so they get a better understanding of my Taiwanese experiences.

This book easily stands on its own as entertainment but is also very educational for anyone looking for info on Taiwan culture. So kick back with "Half-baked in Taiwan" and pop a couple of Betel nuts in your mouth.

disclaimer/general info:
A- the following is a not a racist statement; the matter of race/nationality is merely brought up due to the subject matter.

B- i was born in taiwan, raised there till the age of 9, and frequently (4-5 times a year) go back to visit with family.

C- i grew up in new jersey and am married to an american, who i believe is the most wonderful person ever... even though she couldn't cook edible chinese food to save her life.

D- i feel that capitolization is completely pointless and refuse to use it outside of work; if you can't stand it don't read this.

now on to the review of this alleged "book"...

ok so one of college buddies saw this in a store, bought it, read it, and got me a copy; i read it, burned it, and slapped him.

first off this woman is a horrible writer... at points its like she's trying to whimsical but instead gives off the vibe of trying way too hard... and possibly being on opium.

in the amazon "about the author" portion, the question "she's still trying to decide if getting a master's degree in education contributed to her current status or if true education happens after one leaves school and steps out into the great big world" is posed; well here's an answer... go back to high school, cause that is calibur of writing you possess. there is very little cohesiveness to this book, other than the fact that its been written by the same person and taiwan is the main topic.

sure there are far less talented, popular "writers" out there; but just because you are better than some people that suck doesn't make you good or qualifed to terrorize the general populace with this crap.

but now on to my main complaints about this combination of random, and sometimes pointless, thoughts that have been strung together to make this farce of a book...this woman has absolutely no grasp of our culture. the entire time i was trying to decipher this jumble of "suckitude", there was a thought that kept popping into my head... "generic white american hick". i'm not talking about the obviously cliche "cletus the slack jawed yokel" type hick, i mean the more realistic euro/ameri-centric white americans that live in states that don't touch the ocean (and no the gulf of mexico doens't count) type hick. despite her "attempt" at understanding/acclimating to taiwan, she would have done a better job if she had just turned on a discovery channel documentary and ordered take out...

click on the excerpt link and read it. now while anyone who knows nothing about taiwan would just say, "ok... i don't get it. she gives a good deal of info. what the hell is your problem, man?"; someone that actually knows about the island and its history would say, "yeah but all the info is just media spun crap". what is all of this taiwan is a country crap?! the republic of china has not been recognized as legetimate independent world government, for almost 50 years!!! by which i mean recognized by countries that actually matter, ie having a seat in the UN, not that i pay african nations to support me crap that the government has been trying to pull off for the last 20-30 years.

wtf is this crap about taiwanese independence?!!! while there have been movements for this concept for quite a while, if you know anything about the people of taiwan and especially those in taipei in particular, you will realize that this idea is seen as a joke and ploy by the government to distract the general population; while the embezzle more and more money.

i could go on and on but i won't bore you with more of my hate for this crapfest that has donned the disguise of a book and its talentless tardmaster general of an author. just stay the hell away from this book, unless you want the taiwanese to view you as a ignorant american that is...

if you want to experience the real taiwan, its easy...

1 - get yourself a taiwanese translator; MUST be from taiwan. mainland chinese don't speak taiwanese and are generally distrusted. also nobody needs to hear you butcher our language.

2 - don't dress only in clothes you buy in taiwan. most of them are too small for white people, that and you can't pull off the asian chic look.

3 - don't try that fake chinese style politeness, people will understand that you are not from taiwan and you can just be polite the western way. plus when you do it wrong, it comes off in a semimocking manner.

4 - you and your translator should just go and chill out at a place where there are just a bunch of old men sitting around and talk to them. these guys have seen it all... the japanese occupation period, the nationalist arrival, the american "support", the period of constant communist threat, etc.... generally these gentlemen will be glad to talk your ear off for hours. you can have as many discussions as you would like; while in the west religion and politics are taboo subjects, the chinese love to debate them.

5 - finally if you see ms. fowler in person... spit in her face and slap her for me and the rest of my taiwanese brethren.

This was a great book. I've always wanted to teach English in Asia, and hopefully I'll be able to follow in Beth Fowler's footsteps.

In Half Baked, Ms. Fowler takes us on a literary slice-of-life tour of Taiwan: the good, the bad, and the very ugly. From the hell of being one of the few foreign women in a Taiwanese fashion show, to the experience of never knowing when to give or receive gifts in other cultures (believe me, I know all about this one!), Fowler makes it all come alive.

I especially liked her short haiku word pictures she called "Dim Sum, course 1, 2, 3, ) etc. I hope to read more from Ms. Fowler, and also to read more of her experiences in Asia. Surely, she's a very interesting, intelligent, talented writer. I hope I can be just like her one day!

An interesting read for getting good insight into life in Taiwan as a foreigner. Ms Fowler is able to pull personal examples from her life there to create memorable impressions and reflections on this unique country.

On the downside, the book is expensive for a small paperback. Also, it could have used an editor to tighten up a few spots and catch several typos.

But if you want to learn about life in Taiwan with a few chuckles, get this book.