Journey Through Taiwan

Fresh from its 2026 International Booker Prize win, Taiwan Travelogue written in Mandarin Chinese by Yang Shuang-zi and translated into English by Lin King, drew me in with its promise of a culinary journey through Taiwan and left me reflecting on identity, colonialism, and the people who change our lives forever.

When I picked up “Taiwan Travelogue“, I expected a food-filled literary journey through Taiwan. While the novel certainly delivered that, it also surprised me with its depth. What began as a travelogue slowly unfolded into a thoughtful exploration of colonialism, identity, language, and human connection. By the end, I realised I had read something far richer than I had anticipated.

The story follows Aoyama Chizuko, a Japanese writer who visits Taiwan in 1938 during the period of Japanese colonial rule. She is assigned a translator and guide, Chizuru, and I immediately found myself drawn to their evolving relationship. What starts as a simple companionship gradually develops into a deep emotional bond. Their friendship is tender, layered, and often marked by unspoken feelings. Even during their happiest moments, I could sense a quiet tension beneath the surface, making me eager to discover what lay behind it.

One of the greatest pleasures of reading this novel was the food. Every chapter seemed to offer a new culinary adventure, and I often found myself craving the dishes being described. From lavish banquets to humble local delicacies, the food felt almost like another character in the story. Yet these descriptions never felt unnecessary. Instead, they painted a vivid picture of Taiwan’s culture and traditions, allowing me to experience the island through its flavours, aromas, and shared meals.

What fascinated me most was the book’s unusual structure. Although “Taiwan Travelogue” is a modern novel, it presents itself as a translation of an older Japanese work, complete with introductions, notes, and commentary from different “translators.” I loved how this layered storytelling blurred the line between fiction and reality. It added an extra level of richness to the reading experience and reinforced the novel’s themes of language, interpretation, and cultural memory.

As the story progressed, I realised that beneath the travel adventures and delicious meals lay a powerful examination of colonialism. Through Aoyama and Chizuru’s relationship, Yang Shuang-zǐ explores the complex realities of power, privilege, and belonging. I appreciated how the author avoided simple answers and instead presented these issues with nuance and sensitivity. The emotional impact of the novel comes not from dramatic events alone, but from the quiet ways history shapes people’s lives and relationships.

In the end, Taiwan Travelogue left a lasting impression on me. It is a beautifully written novel that combines history, culture, food, and human emotion into a deeply rewarding reading experience. More than anything, it reminded me of those rare people who enter our lives briefly yet change us forever.

If you enjoy literary fiction that is immersive, thought-provoking, and emotionally resonant, I highly recommend taking this journey through Taiwan’s past.

Book Title: Taiwan Travelogue
Author: Yang Shuang-zi
Translated By: Lin King