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📚 | What We Got Out Of It

• Taiwan Travelogue immerses readers in 1930s Taiwan, where Japanese colonialism and cultural diversity create a complex backdrop.
• Food serves as a significant cultural bridge, as characters manage intricate relationships and explore their identities through their culinary experiences.
• The novel uses a unique narrative structure, incorporating layers of translation to explore themes of identity, cultural exchange, and colonial perspectives.

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"Taiwan Travelogue" by Yáng Shuāng-zǐ is an engaging literary work that draws readers into the rich landscape of 1930s Taiwan under Japanese rule. The narrative follows Aoyama, a Japanese novelist, who sets out on a year-long journey across the island, cataloging her experiences through the local culture, food, and diverse communities she encounters. Through her vivid storytelling, Yáng Shuāng-zǐ examines themes of discovery, identity, and the nuanced dynamics of colonialism, painting a picture of a world in transformation.

A key focal point of Aoyama's journey is her insatiable curiosity about Taiwanese cuisine, which becomes a metaphorical and literal gateway into understanding the island's cultural tapestry. Her open-minded approach is portrayed in her willingness to try unfamiliar dishes, such as "kuti" and "muang teng," emphasizing her quest to grasp the essence of Taiwan. The culinary exploration not only broadens her palate but also serves as a bridge between her and her Taiwanese interpreter, Chi-chan.

Author Yáng Shuāng-zǐ skillfully weaves the theme of friendship and cultural differences into the story, particularly through the evolving relationship between Aoyama and Chi-chan. As they travel together, their bond deepens amid shared meals and candid conversations, slowly transforming their professional dynamic into a more ambiguous relationship that defies easy categorization.

|| "Like how much is the translator influencing what we're reading? It emphasizes that there's no one single objective truth. Everything is filtered through someone's lens."

The book further explores the complexities of colonialism and identity, highlighting the perspectives of both the colonizer and the colonized. As Aoyama navigates her role as a Japanese national in Taiwan, she faces the nuances and tensions present within the island's diverse cultural landscape. Meanwhile, Chi-chan's character development reveals the intricate social hierarchies and struggles faced by individuals during this period.

Through its unique structure as a fictional travelogue translated from Japanese to Mandarin, "Taiwan Travelogue" invites readers to consider the inherent subjectivity of storytelling. Yáng Shuāng-zǐ uses this layered narrative to provoke thought about identity, perception, and the far-reaching impacts of colonial power dynamics.

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