A History of Taiwan Literature by Ye Shitao, an important public intellectual in Taiwan, was published in the crucial watershed year of 1987 when the end of martial law on the island was signaled. Ye's work was clearly a product of that period and would have been less timid, considering the fact that the rule book on public expression had yet to be written, if it had been written later. The book is a rigorous, comprehensive treatment; it goes to great lengths to devote attention to all major writers in the history of Taiwan as well as many who were not as prominent. Ye has been fair and evenhanded in the writing of his literary history of Taiwan; there is little, if any, tendentiousness in the book. This is arguably one of the most important intellectual works of literary history, made even more impressive by Ye's inclusion of copious notes, including Japanese-language ones.
In this translation, Christopher Lupke has painstakingly translated both Ye's main text and notes, making this valuable resource available to English readers for the first time. Lupke also provides an introduction that contextualizes Ye's work as well as an epilogue that outlines some of the major historical and literary developments after 1987, along with a brief mention of some of the most important literary figures of Taiwan. In addition to a glossary and index, Lupke offers a select bibliography that lists works that Ye referenced in his own notes as well as some books that Lupke consulted in completing this translation.
A History of Taiwan Literature is a most important resource for those interested in the intellectual history of East Asia, world literature, and Taiwan studies. This book is part of the Literature From Taiwan Series, a collaboration by Cambria Press with the National Museum of Taiwan Literature and National Taiwan Normal University.
