Publishing History > Writing in Asia Series (Heinemann Asia)
Writing in Asia Series
Publisher: Heinemann Educational Books (Asia) Ltd.
Place: Hong Kong, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Date: 1966-1996.
Modern Malaysian Chinese Stories
An anthology selected and translated by Ly Singko in collaboration with Leon Comber, with a foreword by Han Suyin.
Hong Kong, etc.: Heinemann Educational Books (Asia) Ltd., 1967 (1988 impression) (Writing in Asia Series, 1).
Paperback. 202 pages.
"In her foreword Han Suyin, the well known novelist, states that she believes this is the first ever collection in English of modern short stories of Malaysian and Singaporean authors. (...) Most of the stories were not written originally in English and were translated by Ly Singko and Leon Comber. [This] book contains A Jungle Passage by Tan Kong Peng, The Old Man by Pin Tze, Gone for Ever by Lin Tsan Tien, Return by Miao Hsiou, The General by Wei Yuen, My Violin and Mata Kuching by Chan Chiuan, He Went Mad by Hua Yung Chow, The Trap by Hsiu Hsiu, The Love Nest and The Two Friends by Lee Ju Lin, Lili's Secret by Hwang Hwei, Orang Lari by Yao Tze as well as notes on the authors and a glossary." Source: penangbookshelf.com
WRITING IN ASIA SERIES (HEINEMANN ASIA)
Series Note: "Founded by Leon Comber in 1966, the Heinemann Writing Asia series emerged amidst a decolonizing Southeast Asia, publishing authors from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand. Besides being an important publication outlet for local writers without access to metropolitan publishing houses, the series arguably provided a regional outlet for works that fall outside the political rhetoric of national consolidation, while canonizing others from established literary traditions." (Source: An Ang, "Two views of Anglophone Southeast Asia: The Heinemann Writing in Asia series and Skoob Pacifica", in: Literature, Critique, and Empire Today, Volume 60, Issue 1, 2025, pp. 152-168.)
Further reading:
- Leon Comber, "Publishing Asian Writers in English", in: Mimi Chan and Roy Harris, Asian Voices in English, Hong Kong University Press, 1991, pp. 79-86.
- "Trilogy that's one of the most successful in the series", in: Behind the Book (column), The Straits Times, 28 February 1982
Serial Number / Title / Author / Year of Publication / Other Details
1.
Modern Malaysian Chinese Stories
Edited by Ly Singko
Anthology translated from the Mandarin Chinese by Ly Singko and Leon Comber with a foreword by Han Suyin.
1967
2.
22 Malaysian Stories
Edited by Lloyd Fernando
Anthology whose contributors include Siew Yue Killingley, Goh Poh Seng and Stella Kon.
1968
3.
The Pilgrim (Ziarah)
by Iwan Simatupang
Novel translated from the Indonesian by Harry Aveling. Winner of the ASEAN Literary Award 1977.
1969
4.
Maugham's Malaysian Stories
by W. Somerset Maugham
Edited and with an introduction by Anthony Burgess.
1969
5.
The Strange Cases of Magistrate Pao: Chinese Tales of Crime and Detection
Translated by Leon Comber
1972
6.
Son of Singapore
by Tan Kok Seng
1972
First part of autobiography. Rendered into English in collaboration with Austin Coates.
7.
The Romance of the Western Chamber
by Wang Shifu
Translated and adapted by T. C. Lai and Ed Gamarekian, with a foreword by Lin Yutang. Originally published in 1200.
1973
8.
The Mutes in the Sun and Other Stories
by Lee Kok Liang
Short stories and a novella.
1974
9.
Man of Malaysia
by Tan Kok Seng
Second part of autobiography. Rendered into English in collaboration with Austin Coates.
1974
10.
Taw and Other Thai Stories: An Anthology
Edited by Jennifer Draskau
Translated from the Thai and with an introduction by Jennifer Draskau.
1975
11.
The Fugitive (Perburuan)
by Pramoedya Ananta Toer
Novel translated from the Indonesian by Harry Aveling, originally published in 1950.
1975
12.
Eye on the World
by Tan Kok Seng
Third and final part of autobiography. Rendered into English in collaboration with Austin Coates.
1975
13.
A Folding Screen: Selected Chinese Lyrics from T'ang to Mao Tse-tung
Translated by Alan Ayling and Duncan Mackintosh
Originally published in 1974.
1976
14.
Second Tongue: An Anthology of Poetry from Malaysia and Singapore
Edited by Edwin Thumboo
With an introduction by Edwin Thumboo. Contributors include Ee Tiang Hong, Muhammad Haji Salleh, Wong May and Arthur Yap.
1976
15.
Maugham's Borneo Stories
by W. Somerset Maugham
Selected by G. V. de Freitas.
1976
16.
Scorpion Orchid
by Lloyd Fernando
Novel.
1976
17.
Eyewitness
by Goh Poh Seng
Poetry.
1976
18.
Letters of a Javanese Princess
by Raden Adjeng Kartini
Translated by Agnes Louise Symmers, edited and with an introduction by Hildred Geertz and with an introduction by Eleanor Roosevelt. Originally published in Dutch in 1911 and in English in 1920.
1976
19.
Myths for a Wilderness
by Ee Tiang Hong
Poetry.
1976
20.
From Surabaya to Armageddon: Indonesian Short Stories
Edited by Harry Aveling
Translated from the Indonesian by Harry Aveling.
1976
21.
My Country and My People
by Lin Yutang
Originally published in 1935.
1977
22.
Myths and Legends of Indonesia
by Jan Knappert
1977
23.
Myself a Mandarin
by Austin Coates
Memoir, originally published in 1968.
1977
24.
And Napalm Does Not Help
by Robert Yeo
Poetry.
1977
25.
Gods Can Die
by Edwin Thumboo
Poetry.
1977
26.
Commonplace
by Arthur Yap
Poetry.
1977
27.
The Immolation
by Goh Poh Seng
Novel.
1977
28.
Tree Without Roots
by Syed Waliullah
Novel. Originally published in 1948.
1978
29.
Singapore Short Stories
Edited by Robert Yeo
With an introduction by Robert Yeo and notes by Tan Swee Kheng. Contributors include Catherine Lim, Gopal Baratham and Goh Sin Tub.
1978
30.
Time and Its People
by Muhammad Haji Salleh
Poetry.
1978
31.
Bones & Feathers
by Cecil Rajendra
Poetry.
1978
32.
A Blade of Fern: A Novel About the Philippines
by Edith L. Tiempo
1978
33.
Chemmeen: A Novel About India
by Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai
Translated by Narayana Menon, with an introduction by Santha Rama Rau. Originally published in 1964.
1978
34.
Modern Far Eastern Stories
Edited by Chung Chong-Wha
1978
35.
Kering (Drought)
by Iwan Simatupang
Novel translated from the Indonesian by Harry Aveling, originally published in 1972.
1978
36.
Abracadabra
by Danarto
Short stories translated from the Indonesian by Harry Aveling.
1978
37.
Little Ironies: Stories of Singapore
by Catherine Lim
1978
38.
Curfew and a Full Moon
by Ediriwira Sarachchandra
1978
Novel.
39.
Ulysses by the Merlion
by Edwin Thumboo
1979
Poetry.
40.
Stories from Sri Lanka
Edited by Yasmine Gooneratne
With an introduction by Yasmine Gooneratne.
1979
41.
Srengenge
by Shahnon Ahmad
Novel translated from the Malay by Harry Aveling. Originally published in 1973. Winner of the Malaysian Novel of the Year 1970.
1979
42.
Poems from India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Singapore
Edited by Yasmine Gooneratne
1979
43.
Akbar the Great
by Robert Burdette Sweet
Novel.
1979
44.
Genesis of a Revolution: An Anthology of Modern Chinese Short Stories
Edited by Stanley R. Munro
Translated from the Chinese by Stanley R. Munro. Contributors include Ba, J., Bing, X. and Ding, L.
1979
45.
Three Sisters of Sz
by Tan Kok Seng
Novel. Rendered into English in collaboration with Austin Coates.
1979
46.
The Stars and Other Korean Short Stories
by Hwang Sun-Won
Translated from the Korean and with an introduction by Edward W. Poitras.
1980
47.
A Nine Cloud Dream
by Kim Man-Jung
Translated from the Korean by Richard Rutt.
1980
48.
Down the Line
by Arthur Yap
Poetry.
1980
49.
Reunion & Other Stories
Translated by Ly Singko
1980
50.
The Third Notch and Other Stories
by Shahnon Ahmad
Translated from the Malay by Harry Aveling.
1980
51.
Sri Sumarah and Other Stories
by Umar Kayam
Translated from the Indonesian by Harry Aveling.
1980
52.
Beyond the Heights
by Ruth Lor Malloy
Novel.
1980
53.
The Prince of Mount Tahan (Putera Gunung Tahan)
by Ishak Haji Muhammad
Translated from the Malay by Harry Aveling.
1980
54.
Waywaya: Eleven Filipino Short Stories
by F. Sionil José
1980
55.
Malay Myths and Legends
by Jan Knappert
1980
56.
Prospect of a Drowning
by Lee Tzu Pheng
Poetry. Winner of the National Book Development Council of Singapore's Book Award for English Poetry 1982.
1980
57.
Modern Korean Short Stories
Edited by Chung Chong-Wha
1980
58.
Dread Empire
by Linda Ty-Casper
Novella.
1980
59.
Or Else, the Lightning God & Other Stories
by Catherine Lim
1980
60.
Crossing the Peninsula & Other Stories
by Shirley Geok-lin Lim
Poetry. Winner of the Commonwealth Poetry Prize.
1980
61.
Early Buddhist Mythology
by J. R. Haldar
With a foreword by C. Sircar.
1981
62.
ASEAN Short Stories. Anthology
Edited by Robert Yeo
Contributors include Gopal Baratham, Stella Kon and Rebecca Chua.
1981
63.
Malaysian Short Stories
Edited by Lloyd Fernando
Anthology with an introduction by Lloyd Fernando.
1981
64.
Lazy River (Sungai Mengalir Lesu)
by A. Samad Said
Novel translated from the Malay by Harry Aveling. Originally published in 1967.
1981
65.
Flowers in the Sky
by Lee Kok Liang
Novel.
1981
66.
A Son of a Mother
by Michael Soh and Lim Yoon Lin
Originally published in 1973.
1981
67.
The Newspaper Editor and Other Stories
by Rebecca Chua
1981
68.
Running Dog
by Lee Ding Fai
1981
69.
The Return
by K. S. Maniam
1981
Novel.
70.
A Wisp of Bliss and Other Stories
by Heah Chwee Sian
1981
71.
Glimpses of the Past: Stories from Singapore & Malaysia
by Wong Meng Voon
1981
72.
Shadow Play and Other Stories
by H. Jathar Salij
1982
73.
The Good People: Korean Stories
by Oh Yong-su
Translated from the Korean by Marshall R. Pihl
1985
74.
A Busy Week: Tales from Today's Thailand
by Michael Smithies
1985
75.
The Phoenix and Other Stories
by Wong Swee Hoon
1985
76.
Web of Tradition
by Woo Keng Thye
Novel.
1986
77.
Man Snake Apple & Other Poems
by Arthur Yap
1986
78.
The Adventures of Holden Heng
by Robert Yeo
Novel.
1986
79.
Honour and Other Stories
by Goh Sin Tub
Originally published in 1986 as The Battle of the Bands.
1987
80.
The Shadow of a Shadow of a Dream: Love Stories of Singapore
by Catherine Lim
1987
81.
The Ghost Lover of Emerald Hill and Other Stories
by Goh Sin Tub
1987
82.
Foam Upon the Stream: A Japanese Elegy
by Ediriwira Sarachchandra
Novel.
1987
83.
Hearts & Crosses
by Nalla Tan
Short stories.
1989
84.
The Nan-Mei-Su Girls of Emerald Hill
by Goh Sin Tub
Novel.
1989
85.
Encounter and Other Stories
by Woo Keng Thye
1989
86.
Love Notes
by Catherine Khoo
1990
87.
Ghosts of Singapore!
by Goh Sin Tub
Short stories.
1990
88.
Malayan Horror: Macabre Tales of Singapore And Malaysia in the 50s
by Othman Wok
1991
89.
Winds of Change
by Woo Keng Thye
Novel.
1991
90.
A Dying Breed
by Wong Swee Hoon
Short stories.
1991
91.
More Ghosts of Singapore!
by Goh Sin Tub
Short stories.
1991
92.
Reflections in the River: Contemporary Japanese Short Stories
by W. W. Williams
1991
93.
The Importance of Living
by Lin Yutang
Originally published in 1937.
1992
94.
Ollie's Search For Golden Hope & Other Stories
by Syed Adam Aljafri
1992
95.
Daughters of an Ancient Race
by Jack Reynolds
Originally published in 1974.
1992
96.
Tales of the Hungry Ghosts
by Judith Anne Lucas and Marsha Goh
1992
97.
Tapestry: A Collection of Short Stories
Edited by Helen Lee
Contributors include Gopal Baratham, Arthur Yap and Nalla Tan.
1992
98.
Deadline for Love and Other Stories
by Catherine Lim
1992
99.
Love's Lonely Impulses
by Catherine Lim
Poetry.
1992
100.
Fancies and Follies: Stories of Love
by Judith Anne Lucas
1993
101.
Goh's 12 Best Singapore Stories
by Goh Sin Tub
1993
102.
Sunshine in the Rain: A Maid's Courage
by Toh Weng Choy
1993
103.
The Best of Catherine Lim
by Catherine Lim
Short stories.
1993
104.
Lovers and Strangers
by Robert Raymer
Short stories.
1993
105.
Bight of Bangkok: A Collection of Short Stories
by Michael Smithies
1993
106.
The Crocodile Fury. Novel
by Beth Yahp
Originally published in 1992.
1993
107.
If We Dream Too Long
by Goh Poh Seng
Novel originally published in 1972. Winner of the National Book Development Council of Singapore's Fiction Book Award 1976.
1994
108.
Silent Cries from the Dark
by C. C. Hu
Short stories.
1994
109.
Mass Possession: A True Story! Tales of the Supernatural and Natural
by Goh Sin Tub
1994
110.
The Road to Chandibole
by Marie Gerrina Louis
Novel.
1994
111.
A Rose Has Thorns
by Douglas Lee
Novel.
1994
112.
Reincarnation and Other Short Stories
by Woo Keng Thye
1994
113.
Junos
by Marie Gerrina Louis
Novel.
1995
114.
Reminiscences: A Collection of Short Stories
by Syed Adam Aljafri
1996
Author: David Paul Wagner