Translated literature has been experiencing a steady surge in popularity over the past decade, thanks to daring independent publishers embracing unique and avant-garde stories. Esteemed publishers such as Fitzcarraldo and And Other Stories have become fixtures in major literary awards, including the Nobel Prize for Literature and the International Booker Prize.
As the International Booker Prize commemorates a decade of excellence, the 2026 winners were announced at a ceremony in Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall. “Taiwan Travelogue” by Yáng Shuāng-zǐ, translated from Mandarin Chinese by Lin King, claimed the prestigious award, marking a groundbreaking moment as the first Taiwanese and Taiwanese-American recipients in the prize’s history. The novel is also the inaugural winning entry to be translated from Mandarin Chinese. The £50,000 prize money was evenly split between the author and translator, who both received accolades at the ceremony in London.
This victory marks the second consecutive year that And Other Stories has clinched the top honor in translated fiction, following their 2025 win with “Heart Lamp” by Banu Mushtaq, translated by Deepa Bhasthi.
In the aftermath of their historic triumph, Yáng and Lin sat down with Dr. Aimée Walsh, book critic at The Mirror, to discuss “Taiwan Travelogue.” Natasha Brown, chair of the judging panel and award-winning author, lauded the novel as a “love letter to translation,” achieving a remarkable balance as both a romance and an insightful postcolonial narrative.
Yáng humbly credited their win to Lin, emphasizing the pivotal role of the translator in their success. Set in 1930s Taiwan, “Taiwan Travelogue” unfolds through the eyes of Aoyama, a Japanese writer who grapples with her colonial perspective and experiences on the island, shedding light on the complexities of cultural interactions and power dynamics.
Delving into the intricate political backdrop, Yáng highlighted the significance of navigating Taiwan’s history of colonization and the challenges of expressing dissenting voices in a politically charged environment. The novel’s exploration of Taiwanese identity and resistance resonates with readers globally, transcending linguistic and cultural barriers.
Lin underscored the transformative power of translation in amplifying diverse voices and narratives, bridging gaps between languages and cultures. The act of translating literature into English serves as a form of empowerment, enabling stories to reach broader audiences and challenge dominant narratives.
Works like “Taiwan Travelogue” and esteemed awards like the International Booker Prize play a vital role in advocating for diverse voices in literature, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for global storytelling traditions. Through translation, readers are invited to engage with unfamiliar perspectives and enrich their literary experience.