
In many ways, Taiwan presents a compelling example of how autocratic regimes impose their will on a population, often as colonial overlords. A peaceful island peopled by Austronesians and ethnic Chinese, rich in agricultural output, has been a geopolitical pawn in recent history, first by the Japanese and then the defeated regime of Chiang Kai-shek in China. Parallels throughout the world are not difficult to find.
Now that Asia’s preeminent democracy has created a political and cultural milieu in which Taiwanese no longer have to tiptoe around sensitive topics, much historical research has been undertaken on this turbulent period, the results published and widely read. In presenting multiple perspectives from various ethnic groups that call Taiwan their homeland, the stories in this collection can expand our understanding of Taiwan’s post-colonial history and extend our memory of the past, in Taiwan’s pursuit of transitional justice. This collection will be of interest to general readers as well as classes dealing with fictional re-creation of government atrocity.
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