Taiwan Travelogue by Shuang-Zi Yang

 

The year is 1938 and a young Japanese writer, Aoyama Chizuko, has been approached by the government to go to Taiwan, which the Japanese have occupied since 1895.  They want her to give lectures about her novels and meet with government officials.  They will provide her lodging, food, travel expenses and a translator.  Chizuko jumps at the chance.

But she isn't that interested in giving the lectures or meeting with officials.  She wants to experience Taiwan and especially, Taiwanese food.  Chizuko is a major foodie and there is never a moment she doesn't want to eat.  She is assigned another young woman as a translator, Chizuru.  Chizuru is more than willing to travel with Chizuko and show her the Taiwanese sights. Even better, she is willing to arrange for Chizuko to dine on all the varieties of Taiwanese food from street food to government dinners.  Chizuru is also a talented chef herself and cooks for Chizuko often.

As the two women travel to the various locales in Taiwan, Chizuko and Chizuru become better acquainted.  They tease each other and confide secrets.  Chizuko begins to feel that Chizuru is the best friend she has ever had but there is a reserve she cannot break through.  What keeps them from being soulmates?

This is a delightful novel and that shows in its awards.  It won the National Book Award for Translated Literature, the International Booker and the Golden Tripod Award in Taiwan.  Readers will learn about the Japanese occupation of Taiwan, Taiwan sights and memorials and so much about Taiwanese food.  But underneath lies the secret that prevents the two women from ever getting as close as the novelist wishes for and it is slowly revealed to the reader.  This book is recommended for multicultural and literary fiction readers.