'Taiwan Travelogue' Author Hopes Award-Winning Novel Can Spark Dialogue with China

The historic win of the International Booker Prize by Taiwanese author Yang Shuang-zi for her novel 'Taiwan Travelogue' marks a significant moment for Taiwanese literature on the global stage. Yang, alongside translator Lin King, has achieved a first for any Chinese-language work, bringing a nuanced portrayal of Taiwan's colonial past and its ongoing identity struggles to international attention. The novel itself, presented as a rediscovered Japanese travel memoir from the 1930s, cleverly uses a fictional narrative to delve into the complexities of power dynamics and cultural assimilation experienced under Japanese rule.

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I’ve countless times felt anxious inside, asking myself whether literature is too slow.

What makes 'Taiwan Travelogue' particularly resonant is its ability to connect historical themes to present-day concerns. Yang explicitly states that the novel probes issues of power imbalance and cultural erasure, which she believes remain relevant to Taiwan's current political and cultural landscape, especially in light of China's territorial claims. This connection between past and present underscores the enduring quest for self-determination and the distinct identity that Taiwanese people are forging.

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But in reality, as a novelist, I’ve decided to put my faith in literature, to believe in the power of literature.

Yang's aspiration for the novel to be read in mainland China is a powerful statement about the role of literature in fostering cross-strait understanding. She believes that wider readership in China could open avenues for dialogue, allowing Chinese readers to grasp the aspirations of Taiwanese people for their future—aspirations that often diverge from Beijing's narrative. This hope for dialogue, through the medium of literature, highlights a desire for mutual understanding amidst political tensions.

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If this book can, in one way or another, make its way into China and be read by Chinese readers, I think we would have an opportunity for dialogue and communication.

Furthermore, Yang's personal identity as a queer person in Taiwan, openly shared, adds another layer to the novel's significance. She sees the award and the book's success as a testament to Taiwan's status as a free and democratic society where diverse voices can flourish. For Taiwan, which often finds itself in international headlines due to geopolitical tensions with China, this literary achievement offers a different, more cultural narrative, emphasizing its unique identity and creative output.

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Taiwan Travelogue is the first book published in any Chinese language to win the International Booker Prize.