'Black-Bearded Barbarian' Summary

The story follows George Mackay, a Scottish Presbyterian missionary, as he arrives in northern Taiwan in the mid-1800s. Faced with a starkly different culture and language, he sets out to establish a presence for his faith. The narrative vividly depicts his early struggles to learn the language and customs, his encounters with local resistance and suspicion, and his unwavering dedication to sharing his faith with the Taiwanese people. We see Mackay's efforts in establishing schools, hospitals, and orphanages, his involvement in addressing social issues like poverty and inequality, and his attempts to reconcile the indigenous cultures with the tenets of Christianity. The book captures the complexities of missionary work, highlighting the challenges and rewards of cross-cultural communication, the dilemmas of imposing new beliefs, and the personal transformations experienced by both the missionary and the people he serves. Through fictionalized accounts, the book offers a unique perspective on the social, political, and religious changes that characterized Taiwan during this era.