Taiwan Travelogue Quotes

“There is nothing in the world more difficult to refuse than self-righteous goodwill.”
― Yáng Shuāng-zǐ, Taiwan Travelogue

“A novel is a piece of amber, one that coagulates both the 'real' past and the 'made-up' ideals. It is something that can be visited again and again in its unparalleled beauty.”
― Yáng Shuāng-zǐ, Taiwan Travelogue

“Just like you have long been aware that I have another side of me that is arrogant and self-important, I have long been aware that you have another side to you that is secretive, unforthcoming, and perfectly capable of lying with a straight face—a masterful actor. It is this masterful actor whom I regard as my best friend.”
― Yáng Shuāng-zǐ, Taiwan Travelogue

“Was that a breeze?
It couldn't have been, but I felt it all the same.
Within her gentle words there was a cooling breeze. It rose from a valley creek and penetrated the summer heat pent up in my chest.
I could only sit there, silent and incognizant of time and space, for as long as that breeze wafted through me.
Until the train's whistle sounded in the depths of the valley.
Until we pulled into Kagi.”
― Yáng Shuāng-zǐ, Taiwan Travelogue

“One day, people will no longer remember
the Islander way of life. But during the Qīng period, the Hoklo
people also did the same thing to the native tribes’ ways of life here.
How far back should one go when lamenting such cruelties? But the
absurd thing about humanity is that we only feel pain when we’re
on the receiving end. Ah, I beg your pardon. These are the words of
a drunk person, and I do not even have that excuse.”
― Yáng Shuāng-zǐ, Taiwan Travelogue

“這個世間，再也沒有比自以為是的善意更難拒絕的燙手山芋了。”
― 楊双子, Taiwan Travelogue

“「面對妖怪也不變色，必須引為至交。”
― 楊双子, 臺灣漫遊錄