Taiwan Travelogue made history this week as both the first Taiwanese literary work and the first Mandarin-language translated work to win the International Booker Prize. The accomplishment was praised by both President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) and Taiwan’s Culture Minister Li Yuan (李遠), who called the win “the greatest gift” for the Culture Ministry. 

The International Booker Prize is a major award in the UK for works translated into English, with a shared prize of £50,000 (about US$67,000) for writer and translator.

The novel was written by Taiwanese author Yang Shuang-zi (楊双子) and translated by Taiwanese-American Lin King (金翎). The book follows Japanese travel writer Chizuko and her Taiwanese translator Chizuru traveling along Taiwan’s railway system on a “culinary journey” during the period of Japanese occupation. Along the journey, Chizuko is confronted with the increasingly layered and insidious ways colonization affects the country around her and how she and her relationship with Chizuru play into that same system. 

Speaking on the novel, Yang said that literature has always been a powerful tool for engaging with past colonial history and threats of power. In her acceptance speech, she said she was grateful to be born Taiwanese, comparing the last century of Taiwanese literature to the century-long pursuit of freedom and equality.

Translator King expressed her gratitude, also saying that after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, she made the decision to only translate Chinese-language works from Taiwan. She said, “until the day comes that my homeland's sovereignty is no longer a provocation or a punchline, until no English speaker feels comfortable saying to me, "I really should come visit you in Taiwan while it still exists.”

Speaking on the honor, President Lai said Taiwan Travelogue showcases Taiwan’s heritage and culture in a way that transcends the barriers of time and language. He thanked Yang and King for bringing Taiwan’s story to the highest halls of the literary world, creating a new milestone for success in both the British and American literary scenes. Culture Minister Li also commented via social media, echoing the president’s statements and thanking the two for letting the world see Taiwan. 

The publisher, SpringHill Publishing, noted that Taiwan Travelogue has sold the rights to over 24 countries to-date and has been licensed for a comic book adaptation, a musical, and a TV series.