What You Need to Know
• The novel Taiwan Travelogue, written by Yáng Shuāng-zǐ, won the 2026 International Booker Prize.
• Set in the 1930s, the story follows a Japanese writer and her Taiwanese translator across Taiwan.
• The book has sparked discussions about Taiwan’s colonial history and its relationship with China.
Taiwanese author Yáng Shuāng-zǐ’s novel Taiwan Travelogue, which explores Taiwan’s identity during Japanese occupation, won the 2026 International Booker Prize for the best translated fiction. The narrative follows Aoyama Chizuko, a young Japanese writer, and her Taiwanese translator Ō Chizuru as they journey across the island in the 1930s. Through their relationship and interactions with various characters, the novel raises critical questions about Taiwan’s colonial legacy. In China, the book has faced criticism for allegedly downplaying Japan’s colonial-era atrocities, reflecting ongoing tensions regarding Taiwan’s historical narrative and its relationship with China.
Why It Matters
The novel Taiwan Travelogue highlights the complex historical relationship between Taiwan and Japan during the colonial period, which lasted from 1895 to 1945. This period significantly shaped Taiwan’s cultural and political landscape, influencing its identity and interactions with neighboring countries. The book’s reception, particularly in China, underscores the ongoing debates over Taiwan’s historical memory and its implications for current cross-strait relations. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for grasping Taiwan’s contemporary socio-political context and the challenges it faces regarding its sovereignty and identity.
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