Taiwanese author Yang Shuang-zi wins International Booker Prize

Thursday 21 May 2026 - 09:30

Taiwanese writer Yang Shuang-zi has been awarded the International Booker Prize for her novel Taiwan Travelogue, marking a historic achievement in global literature. The award ceremony took place in London at the Tate Modern museum, highlighting the growing international recognition of translated literary works.

The novel, translated into English by Lin King, explores the journey of a Japanese novelist traveling through Taiwan during the 1930s, a period when the island was under Japanese colonial rule. The story follows a culinary and cultural exploration, focusing on food, identity, and the complex interactions between local and foreign cultures.

This year’s prize is particularly significant as Taiwan Travelogue becomes the first book originally written in Mandarin Chinese to win the prestigious award. The International Booker Prize celebrates both the author and the translator, recognizing the importance of translation in bringing global literature to wider audiences.

The €58,000 prize is shared equally between the author and translator, reflecting the collaborative nature of literary translation. The jury praised the novel for its rich storytelling, historical depth, and unique exploration of cultural memory through cuisine and travel.

The award highlights the increasing visibility of Taiwanese literature on the global stage and reinforces the importance of cross-cultural storytelling in contemporary publishing. Literary experts believe the win may encourage greater international interest in East Asian narratives and translated works.

The ceremony in London also underscored the role of translation in bridging cultural and linguistic divides, allowing stories like Taiwan Travelogue to reach readers around the world.