The Formosa Exchange

On May 20, 2024, the day after Taiwan’s first Indigenous president is inaugurated, the entire island population awakens to find they have swapped places with the residents of Cuba. These two multi-ethnic island communities, each with a history of colonization, are suddenly confronted with perplexing new questions and the imposing influence of a new “mainland” hegemon.

Huang Chong-Kai’s remarkable work of speculative realism delves into conversations surrounding race, marginality, and the reinterpretation of history. The novel masterfully blends multiple voices and genres, offering perspectives through Taiwan’s first Indigenous president, a Cuban painter, a Han Taiwanese individual aspiring to be Indigenous, and a former Guantanamo Bay inmate. The author constructs a unique narrative ecosystem by presenting these diverse stories through various media styles, including book reviews, podcast transcripts, and interviews.

• A speculative fiction novel exploring themes of race, identity, and history.
• Features a unique narrative structure incorporating diverse media styles.
• Offers multiple perspectives on a fantastical global event.

• Author: Huang Chong-Kai
• Translator: Jeremy Tiang
• Publisher: Honford Star
• Publication Date: September 18, 2026
• Language: English
• Print Length: 328 pages
• Binding: Paperback
• Dimensions: 1.6 x 12.9 x 19.8 cm
• Weight: 370 g
• ISBN-10: 1915829380
• ISBN-13: 978-1915829382

This compelling contemporary fiction novel offers a thought-provoking exploration of cultural exchange and historical narratives.