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Author's Grief Fuels New Novel Set in Taipei
8 Sep
Summary
- R.F. Kuang's novel 'Taipei Story' explores grief and identity.
- The book draws inspiration from Kuang's personal experiences in Taipei.
- Five Taipei locations inspired scenes and themes in the novel.
R.F. Kuang's upcoming novel, "Taipei Story," set to publish on Tuesday, delves into themes of mistranslation and grief. The narrative follows Lily Chen, a Chinese American grappling with loss during a summer in Taipei. Kuang's own experiences during a two-month Mandarin course in the city in 2023, which coincided with her grandfather's death, served as the primary inspiration.
The author meticulously researched her novel, drawing from her personal diary entries about grief and her daily life in Taipei. Locations such as Qingtian Tea House, with its unique mango tree, and the Vegetarian Tomato Beef Noodle Restaurant, offering a plant-based take on a classic dish, are featured.
Kuang found Taipei to be a surprisingly vegetarian-friendly city, frequenting the Nationwide Healthy Vegetarian buffet chain. She also highlights the N.T.U. Agricultural Products Sales Center for its rich milk and unique ice cream sandwiches. Her time at the SPOT Huashan, an art-house cinema, also influenced the novel's exploration of communication and unspoken feelings.
