Spirits Abroad

Malaysian folklore meets contemporary life in this collection of ten speculative fiction stories that blur the boundaries between the mundane and the magical. Zen Cho weaves together tales of supernatural beings navigating modern challenges, from a teenage pontianak juggling schoolwork and supernatural hunger to spirits dealing with bureaucratic landlords. These stories draw deeply from Southeast Asian mythology while exploring themes of diaspora, identity, and belonging, creating a unique blend of horror, fantasy, and cultural commentary that feels both ancient and utterly contemporary.

Emily Woo Zeller's narration brings remarkable depth to Cho's diverse cast of characters, capturing both the otherworldly nature of supernatural beings and the relatable struggles of those caught between worlds. Her performance seamlessly transitions between the collection's tonal shifts, from darkly humorous encounters to genuinely unsettling horror moments. Zeller's careful attention to cultural nuances and her ability to convey the stories' distinctively Malaysian voice makes the audio format particularly compelling, allowing listeners to fully immerse themselves in these richly atmospheric tales that celebrate the power of folklore in modern storytelling.