Half Baked in Taiwan

Rating:
Summary: Like title, book is half-baked
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Like title, book is half-baked
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Not Half Bad
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Not Half Bad
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Learn about Taiwan culture or just to read a great book!
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Half Baked is Mostly Raw
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: It's Just Like Here, Only Different
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: It's Just Like Here, Only Different
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: A Fun, Easy Read
Review: 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!