Taiwanese novel Banana King Ngoo Tsin-Sui , written by Lee Wang-tai, has garnered international recognition, earning nominations for two prestigious literary awards.
The novel, translated by Timothy Smith, a translator for the Taipei Times, has been selected as a finalist in the 2024 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards in both the Multicultural and Historical categories. Additionally, it has been longlisted for the PEN Translation Prize. The finalists for the PEN Translation Prize will be announced ahead of the Literary Awards Ceremony in New York, set for May 8.
At the Taipei International Book Exhibition on February 9, Lee Wang-tai, alongside Smith, expressed his hopes for the novel’s success on the global stage. Lee emphasized his goal of accurately representing Taiwan and its people, stating that he was thrilled that his work would help international readers better understand the country.
“I hope Banana King advances to the final stage and beyond, continuing to captivate readers and draw attention to Taiwan’s history, struggles, and triumphs,” Smith commented.
The novel’s exploration of authoritarianism and the influence of “malicious actors” is particularly relevant in today’s global political climate, Smith noted. It offers valuable insights into current social and political issues, while questioning how concepts like fairness, justice, and social progress are defined.
Through the lens of the protagonist and his community, the novel showcases the resilience and determination of the Taiwanese people. Smith highlighted the challenges he faced in translating the book, particularly in conveying the rich use of Hoklo (Taiwanese), Japanese, and Hakka languages, while preserving the authenticity of the characters’ voices. He stressed that the integration of these linguistic elements was essential in capturing the cultural nuances of the story.
“Concealing these voices by limiting the language to Chinese alone would have been a disservice,” Smith remarked, referring to the novel’s critique of Chinese-language teachers and their narrow views on multicultural Taiwanese identity.
Banana King Ngoo Tsin-Sui is a historical novel based on the life of Ngoo Tsin-sui , a businessman who built a successful banana export enterprise that once supplied the majority of Japan’s banana imports. However, Ngoo’s career was marred by accusations of corruption, leading to his imprisonment. Despite his struggles, he eventually received a private apology from the government. Ngoo chose to leave his past behind, spending his final years in Japan.
This international recognition marks a significant moment for Taiwanese literature, showcasing its potential to engage with global audiences and spark meaningful discussions on social and political themes.
