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Reading Taiwanese Literature with Dr. Lu: A Reader's Guide to Taiwan Travelogue

Join Dr. Nick Lu on October 20th, 6:00 pm in the Honors Reading Room of James A. Cannavino library for an exciting conversation about the Taiwanese novel, Taiwan Travelogue, winner of the 2026 International Booker Prize. Set in colonial Taiwan, Taiwan Travelogue follows its protagonist, a fictional Japanese novelist named Aoyama Chizuko, as she tours Taiwan to find materials for her new novel. En route, she meets her Taiwanese translator/local guide, another female character named O Chizuru. The two gradually develop deep feelings for each other as they travel to discover local foods and curiosities. Taiwan Travelogue poses several interesting questions: How can one translate words that are seemingly impossible to translate, e.g., the names of traditional food items? What does food tell us about a culture and the lifestyle of a place? Is an equal relationship—a romantic one at that—attainable in the larger historical context of colonial inequality? Interested participants are encouraged to read the novel beforehand as we explore these questions and embark on a (intellectually) tasty journey in Taiwan together!

October 02, 2026