Category: East Asia

In the Hands of the Goddess

With his toes just touching the water, Jin let the waves lap at his feet. Warmed by the heat of the midday sun that hung hard and blinding, the ocean heaved and yawed under the unbroken light. But the water…

God and I

I am unceremoniously startled to a new dawn by the blowing of shankh (conch) and jangling of bells. My mom has just finished her puja (prayers) and is readying to bombard me with her much rehearsed lecture on benefits of…

‘Art Class’ by Michael Jerome (UK)

I knew Yumi from my art classes in Central, where I sometimes attended to brush up on my drawing skills. It was therapeutic relaxation really. She attended most weeks and would arrange a ‘stand in’ if she couldn’t make it,…

‘Dragon Property’ by Michael Jerome (UK)

I’m with Len, Lin’s uncle who specializes in village property. He’s lead us deep into Sha Tin along a narrow footpath to Ha Wo Che village, which lines the train tracks and takes you back in time to days of…

‘Free Korean Dinner’ by A.D. Thompson (USA)

Short story selected for the 2011 New Asian Writing Short Story Anthology She put down her Bible and picked up her Depression Clinic Handbook: “Everybody needs to feel that they have a sense of purpose. To this end it is…

‘Going Home’ by Mithran Somasundrum (England)

Short story selected for the 2010 New Asian Writing Short Story Anthology At the time, the sign on the noticeboard seemed too good to be true: “Going home after twelve years in Japan.  Everything free, you move.  First come/First served.” …

‘Viper’ by Giacomo Lee (England)

Short story selected for the 2010 New Asian Writing Short Story Anthology My name, ‘brigandish — enemy of the state —- stooge.’ At my age, I wish I was able to be so revolutionary. It’s a young man’s game, and I see…