Book Cover- Life, Universe, and Bubble Tea
- Chinese title: 生命、宇宙、手搖茶
- Author: Sha, Cheng-Yao (Kumoyama), Jimmy Lo, Rock Lin, Young Raven, and Andy Lin
- Publisher: A Book A Year
- Publication date: August 22, 2020
- Edition: 1st
- Language: Traditional Chinese
- Print length: 288 pages
- ISBN: 9789869736619
- Genre: Science Fiction, Mystery
- Style: Humor, Creative
- Recommend : adult/ teen reader
- Contact: https://ip.taicca.tw/ip/show.do?ip_id=1985
Introduction
The short stories of the collection are connected by “life”, “universe”, and “bubble tea”. Writers of “A Book A Year” follow these keywords, and bring readers light, interesting, relaxing ideas. In the collection, each short story is independent and has its own style.
Outline
Beyond Mortals, Beyond Worlds, Beyond Tea
Jimmy Lo
A second-rate writer used to write his work in a teahouse, a place where he was later involved in a spooky incident. The teahouse owner was obsessed with tea art, and two mysterious masters taught him the secret of “Gong Fu Tea” and changed his business. The writer improved his writing skills after drinking the new tea, but it made him wonder how the owner made the tea. The shocking answer he discovered entirely changed his perspective on the madness of the world. The story started with tea art and Wu Xia writing, went into mystery, and ended like Cthulhu horror style.
Bubble Tea Delivery, even after the Apocalypse
Young Raven
The world had been destroyed by a chemical weapon called “Earth Gas”. States collapsed, and people became violent, drifting away from peace. In this apocalyptic world, warlords endlessly fight against each other. However, a bubble tea shop still opens and launches a promotional campaign under the slogan “Buy Bubble Tea, Get Free Weapon” in this chaotic time. The motorcycle riders deliver the tea and the freebie to the customer. One day, the bubble tea shop receives an order from the most dangerous person in the world, who is considered the culprit of the devastating disaster of “Earth Gas”. Is there any scheme behind this order? Would the most dangerous person end up enjoying the tea?
Black Pearl
Rock Lin
Admiral Bobby was tracking the space pirate Blackbeard, who tried to escape with the drug, “Black Pearl”. When cornered by the admiral, Blackbeard opened a gate and teleported himself to the most remote planet in the universe—Earth. Admiral Bobby followed the pirate and found that “Black Pearl” was accidentally mixed into a bubble tea and sold. Now the two rivals need to work together with a local bubble tea clerk to retrieve the notorious addictive material.
Cat General Café: The Afterword of the Afterword – My Bubble Tea Has the Fragrance of the Universe
Sha, Cheng Yao (Kumoyama)
A staff member of the “Cat General Café” is going on a date with the manager, but the place of the date is beyond the edge of the observable universe! The staff has to follow a silver cat’s guides to reach the very boundary of the universe. What awaits the staff beyond the edge of the universe is not only a date, but the fate of the Earth! The only thing that could change the fate of the Earth is in the hands of the Café manager, the “Cat God’s Gaze”.
Searching for the Demon King at the End of the Year
Andy Lin
Although the age of space colonization has come, humans are still facing incredible events. When the city government was removing an old market, neighbors said that strange blue fire appeared on the street. Some people said that they saw a blue “Ghost Ship” floating on the top of the old market. The city government invites a Buddhist layman to investigate the mysterious event. After gathering clues, the layman finds that the demon king who commands the ghost ship is associated with a malfunctioning automatic machine.
Story Features
- Writers combine short stories with tea and tea culture.
- Each short story is independent, relaxing, and easy-to-read.
- Every short story provides readers imaginative and curious world.
Reader Feedback
Chi-Lu (奇魯) comments on the collection of “Life, Universe and Bubble Tea”.
I found it unexpectedly great after reading it. The cover is bright, and the short stories are easy to read. On the one hand, children could open their imagination through reading the collection. On the other hand, adult readers still could find something eccentric, which makes the stories fascinating. It is recommended to readers who are interested in Taiwanese fiction.
Chi-Lu also writes comments for each short story.
“Beyond Mortals, Beyond Worlds, Beyond Tea”
The owner of the teahouse is very appealing to me because it reminds me of my own writing life. I haven't accomplished much in my writing life, but the fact that I've made it this far is not because I'm hardworking or have an indomitable personality, but because I still have many things to know. I can totally understand why this teahouse owner is jealous and angry at the success of a tea company on TV, and why the owner thinks that he is the “only one” who knows tea.
“Black Pearl”
The writing style was engaging, which made it an enjoyable read. The dynamic between the protagonist and the antagonist had a bit of a Lupin III-like vibe. Although readers could predict the plot halfway, the pleasant feeling continues.
“Bubble Tea Delivery, even after the Apocalypse.”
This story is short, and it shows the reader a unique worldview. The story is short and wonderful. I expect the writer could develop it more as a formal light novel.
“Searching for the Demon King at the End of the Year”
The story reminds me of a typical television program in Taiwan. The host of the program receives requests from common people and gradually uncovers the secret. The story creates an attractive atmosphere, luring readers to an extraordinary, science-fiction world.
“Cat General Café: The Afterword of the Afterword – My Bubble Tea Has the Fragrance of the Cosmos”
The writing style of the story is interesting but idiosyncratic. The main topic of the story is love, and the best way to read the story is to feel, just as movie director Christopher Nolan once said.
The origin webpage of the comments:https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02r6BRE2sNYiJt7KU2RZv7SFd8JkcboSF5rtNa66M2Ez6ZN2wPC7vQ63rsCagqhUmKl&id=100000282453965
