“Taiwan Travels” by Yang Shuangjie, Taiwan’s first author of literature, wins American Book Award – Hakkanews

Yang Shuangji Wins US National Book Award for “A Wanderings in Taiwan”

Yang Shuangji’s English translation of “A Wanderings in Taiwan” won the US National Book Award in the translation category. This marks the first time a Taiwanese literary work has received this honor in the United States. In her acceptance speech, Yang stated, “I write to answer the question of who are the people of Taiwan. I write about the past to create a better future.”

During her speech, Yang addressed the common question about the relevance of writing on historical events. She emphasized that exploring the past is crucial for moving towards the future.

Yang pointed out the consistency in the sentiment of the people of Taiwan over a hundred years: “One hundred years ago, the people of Taiwan said, ‘Taiwan belongs to the people of Taiwan.’ Today, that same statement holds, but our context has changed.”

The English version of the book was translated by Jin Ling and retitled “A Food Journey Across the Railroad.” The story is inspired by Chizuru Awama’s semi-autobiographical novel “Youth,” set in Taiwan during the 1930s. It follows the lives of two women from different backgrounds as they explore Taiwan’s railroad towns, highlighting the complex relationship between the colonizer and the colonized.

Culture Minister Li Yuan congratulated Yang and Jin, calling this achievement a significant moment for Taiwanese literature. Yang expressed her gratitude for Jin’s work in making her book accessible to English-speaking readers.

Lin King, who translated “Taiwan Odyssey,” discussed the challenges of incorporating Taiwanese and Japanese elements into English while maintaining the story’s authenticity. He believes it is important for English readers to grasp Taiwan’s colonial history.

The Washington Independent Book Review described the book as a feast for food lovers, while the New York Times Book Review likened it to a “Russian doll,” showcasing layers of storytelling.

Yang Shuangji, whose real name is Yang Ruosi, comes from Taichung City. She shares her pen name, which means “twins” in Japanese, with her late sister, Yang Ruohui. After their grandmother passed away, the sisters worked to support each other while continuing their education.

At the age of 25, Yang Ruohui was diagnosed with cancer. The sisters made a pact to have no regrets, leading Yang Ruosi to pursue writing seriously. After her sister’s passing in 2015, Yang Ruosi published several novels, including “The Man Who Catches the Moon.”

Yang Shuangji’s journey illustrates resilience and dedication to representing the Taiwanese identity through literature. Her award-winning work continues to resonate with audiences and contribute to the dialogue on Taiwan’s history and culture.