Taiwan Travelogue: A Novel

Synopsis

Set in Japanese-occupied Taiwan in 1938, Taiwan Travelogue follows the young Japanese novelist Aoyama Chizuko as she embarks on a government-sponsored literary tour of the island. More interested in experiencing Taiwan's everyday life than its official ceremonies, she is paired with a brilliant Taiwanese interpreter, Chizuru, who guides her through bustling markets, mountain villages, and unforgettable meals. As their friendship deepens into something more complex, questions of language, identity, and colonial power begin to surface, revealing the tensions that shape even the most intimate relationships.

Ingeniously framed as the translation of a long-lost Japanese novel, Yáng Shuang-zǐ's award-winning work blends historical fiction, metafiction, food writing, and queer romance into a richly layered exploration of empire, memory, and cultural exchange. A literary sensation in Taiwan, the novel has been celebrated internationally for its originality and emotional depth.

About the Author

Yáng Shuang-zǐ is a Taiwanese writer whose work spans fiction, essays, literary criticism, manga, and video game scripts. Her writing frequently explores Taiwanese history, gender, food culture, and the complexities of language and translation. Taiwan Travelogue won Taiwan's prestigious Golden Tripod Award and, in its English translation by Lin King, received the 2024 National Book Award for Translated Literature and the 2026 International Booker Prize, introducing her work to readers around the world.

Publisher
Graywolf Press

Publication Date
November 12, 2024

Format
Paperback

Pages
320

Subjects
Historical Fiction · Translated Literature · Taiwanese Literature · LGBTQ+ Fiction · Literary Fiction

ISBN
9781644453155