Taiwanese author Yang Shuangzi’s Taiwan Travelogue has achieved significant recognition, following its Japanese version, Two People on Taiwan’s Railway, winning the Japanese Translation Award in May. On November 20, 2024, it clinched the 75th National Book Award in the United States, marking the first time a Taiwanese literary work has received this honor.
In her acceptance speech, Yang Shuangzi remarked that a hundred years ago, Taiwanese people told the Japanese: “Taiwan is Taiwan’s Taiwan,” and a century later, they say the same to the Chinese. She emphasized that “we have always faced a powerful and aggressive neighboring country” throughout this century.
Yang Shuangzi addressed the audience: “Some people ask me why I write about events from a hundred years ago. I always respond that writing about the past is a way to move towards the future.” She reiterated: “A hundred years ago, Taiwanese people said Taiwan is Taiwan’s Taiwan, and today, we still say this. However, the audience of our words has changed. A hundred years ago, we said this to the Japanese, and today, we say it to the Chinese. What hasn’t changed in a hundred years is that we have always faced a powerful and aggressive neighboring country.”
Yang also noted the internal differences in national and ethnic identity among Taiwanese people. “Now, some people consider themselves Chinese, just as a hundred years ago, some Taiwanese felt they were Japanese. I write to answer the question of what it means to be Taiwanese, and I continue to write about the past to strive for a better future.”
‘Taiwan Travelogue’ is the culinary journey of two women
Taiwan Travelogue narrates the story of two women, one Japanese and one Taiwanese, who embark on a culinary journey along the railway during the Japanese colonial period. The Washington Independent Review described the book as not just a feast for food lovers, but also a deep journey into the hearts of two unforgettable women.
The English translator of Taiwan Travelogue, Jin Ling, expressed that the English version is about translating literature as a form of literary translation, aiming to encourage English translations to focus more on conveying the essence of the original text rather than “Westernizing” the story. Jin Ling, who began translating as a master’s student, expressed gratitude for Yang Shuangzi’s trust and hopes the novel will introduce more readers worldwide to Taiwanese culture and history.
Jin Ling also thanked editor Yuka Igarashi and the team at Graywolf Press for their willingness to present this diverse and multi-layered work in a “complex” and “precise” manner.
Yang Shuangzi is the shared pen name of the twin sisters Yang Ruoci and Yang Ruohui. The elder sister, Yang Ruoci, focuses on creative writing, while the younger sister, Yang Ruohui, specializes in historical research and Japanese translation. Their works include the novels Blooming Girl on the Gorgeous Island, When Flowers Bloom, the essay collection Let’s Eat! Old Taichung: A Historical Novelist’s Culinary Exploration, and the original manga Tales of Flowers. They have previously won the Golden Tripod Award, the Golden Comic Award, and the OpenBook Annual Chinese Creation Award.
The Japanese version of Taiwan Travelogue, Two People on Taiwan’s Railway, won the 10th Japanese Translation Award in May 2024, marking the first time a Taiwanese literary work has claimed the top prize in this award.
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