‘Taiwan Travelogue’ wins International Booker Prize 2026

Taiwan Travelogue—a novel by Taiwanese author Yáng Shuāng-zǐ, translated into English by Lin King—has been awarded the prestigious International Booker Prize. The announcement was made during a ceremony at the Tate Modern in London on May 20, 2026.

Historic Achievement

The victory marks several historic firsts for the esteemed literary honor, which recognizes the finest fiction translated into English:

• First Mandarin Chinese Winner: This is the first time a book originally written in Mandarin has secured the top prize.
• Taiwanese Representation: Yáng and King are the first Taiwanese and Taiwanese-American authors, respectively, to be honored with the award.
• Prize Allocation: The winning duo will share the £50,000 prize money equally, celebrating the collaborative nature of the work between author and translator.

About the Novel

Taiwan Travelogue is noted for its inventive narrative structure. Presented as the translation of a rediscovered memoir, the story follows a Japanese novelist who travels to Taiwan in 1938—a period during which the island was under Japanese occupation. The protagonist embarks on a culinary tour of the island accompanied by an interpreter, a journey that evolves into an intimate romantic relationship. 

About International Booker Prize

• The International Booker Prize (formerly known as the Man Booker International Prize) is the world’s most influential award for translated fiction.
• The prize, which is awarded annually, celebrates the best works of long-form fiction or collections of short stories translated into English and published in the UK and/or Ireland.
• It recognises the vital work of translators, with the £50,000 prize money divided equally between authors and translators.