Taiwanese Literature Wins the International Booker Prize for the First Time: Congratulations to Writer Yáng Shuāng-zi and Translator Lin King for Taiwan Travelogue
Taiwanese literature has reached a historic milestone! The winners of the 2026 International Booker Prize have been announced, and Taiwan Travelogue, written by Yáng Shuāng-zi and translated into English by Lin King, has received the prestigious award. The novel is the first work of Taiwanese literature ever to win the International Booker Prize.
Following their earlier recognition with the U.S. National Book Award for Translated Literature, Yáng Shuāng-zi and translator Lin King have once again received major international acclaim. Taiwan Travelogue competed alongside five outstanding shortlisted titles from Bulgaria, Brazil, France, and Germany, ultimately emerging as the winner.
Widely regarded as one of the world’s most influential awards for translated fiction, the International Booker Prize honors outstanding literary works translated into English, with the prize shared equally between the author and translator. The 2025 International Booker Prize winner was Indian writer Banu Mushtaq for Heart Lamp.
From November 5 to 9, 2025, with the support of Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture, Yáng Shuāng-zi toured New Delhi and Mumbai for a series of lectures and cultural exchange events, receiving enthusiastic responses from local publishers, scholars, and readers. Ambassador Mumin Chen of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in India stated, “We are deeply honored by this achievement. We hope to see more Taiwanese literary works reach Indian readers and allow more people to discover Taiwan through literature.”
Currently, Taiwan Travelogue is available at major bookstores across India. Readers are warmly invited to explore Taiwan’s history and culture through this remarkable work.
