Yang Shuang-zi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Yang Shuang-zi
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Yang in 2024
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| Born |
Yang Jo-tzu (楊若慈)
July 10, 1984 Wuri, Taichung County, Taiwan
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| Education | National Chung Hsing University (BA, MA) | ||||||
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Notable work
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Taiwan Travelogue (2020) | ||||||
| Awards | Golden Tripod Award (2020) Best Translation Award (2024) National Book Award for Translated Literature (2024) International Booker Prize (2026) |
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| Chinese name | |||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 楊双子 | ||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 杨双子 | ||||||
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Yang Shuang-zi (born Yang Jo-tzu on July 10, 1984) is a talented writer from Taiwan. She is known for her amazing stories. Her book, Taiwan Travelogue, which came out in 2020, was translated into English by Lin King. This book won two big awards: the National Book Award for Translated Literature in 2024 and the International Booker Prize in 2026.
Contents
About Yang Shuang-zi
Her Name's Story
Yang Shuang-zi was born Yang Jo-tzu. She has a twin sister named Yang Jo-hui. Jo-tzu loved literature, while Jo-hui was very interested in history and translating.
In 2014, the sisters decided to write historical stories together. They chose the pen name Yang Shuang-zi, which means "twins." Jo-hui helped with historical facts, and Jo-tzu wrote the stories. After her sister passed away in 2015, Jo-tzu continued to use the pen name to honor her memory.
The name "Shuang" in their pen name uses a special Japanese character. This was a way to remember Jo-hui's love for Japanese history.
Growing Up and Learning
Yang Shuang-zi and her twin sister were born in Wuri, Taichung, Taiwan, on July 10, 1984. They lived with their father and grandparents for a time. When they were young, their grandmother helped care for them.
A Journey Through Education
From age fifteen, both sisters worked part-time to support themselves. Yang Jo-tzu worked at a fried chicken shop and a bakery. She spent eight years studying in night school. She first attended a vocational high school and then earned a bachelor's degree in Chinese language and literature from National Chung Hsing University in 2008. During these years, she worked during the day and wrote stories. She later continued her studies in literature at the same university, graduating in 2012.
Finding Her Voice in Taiwan
As a teenager, Yang became interested in classic Chinese writings, like the Analects. This led her to study Chinese in college. Over time, her views on Taiwan's future changed.
In 2008, a student movement called the Wild Strawberry Movement happened. This event encouraged Yang to study Taiwanese literature. Later, in 2014, the Sunflower Student Movement made her realize the importance of writing stories for Taiwan. She wanted to share unique perspectives about her home country.
Her Writing Career
When she was about ten, Yang wanted to become a manga artist. But when the local comics industry changed, she decided to write fiction instead at age fourteen. She started by writing popular romance novels. Her first romance novel, Aiqing Dahunzhan, was published in 2003 when she was nineteen.
Early Steps in Writing
After writing four romance novels, she took a break to think about her writing. She then shifted to writing more literary and historical fiction. Yang, along with her sister, was also active in the ACG subculture. In 2009, they started a doujinshi group called Mao Pin. They published a doujinshi based on Maria Watches Over Us.
In 2017, Yang gained attention for her novel Seasons Of Bloom. This story features a modern character who travels back in time to Taiwan in 1926.
Taiwan Travelogue and Its Success
In 2020, her very successful novel Taiwan Travelogue was published. The story is about Aoyama Chizuru, a Japanese writer who visits Taiwan in 1938. At that time, Taiwan was under Japanese rule. As Chizuru travels, she slowly falls in love with her Taiwanese interpreter and travel companion. Each chapter of the book is centered around a different Taiwanese dish. This book has received many awards and praise.
Life Outside Writing
Yang is married to Lai Ting-ho, also known as Rose. Rose is a fashion influencer and writer.
Books by Yang Shuang-zi
- Taiwan Travelogue
- Seasons of Bloom
- A Foodie's Guide to Old Taichung
- Nº. 1, Siwei Street
