臺灣文學虛擬博物館

The Whales' Writing

Maritime literature in the 1990s began focusing on activities under the sea, and writings on cetaceans (whales and dolphins) began to appear. Writers at the time reflected on human behavior from the perspective of marine ecosystems. With close observations of cetaceans and ecology, the attention of readers was directed toward the sea, creating a new "sea-oriented" perspective on Taiwan.

⚓︎ A WHALE'S LIFE｜Written by Liao Hung-chi and published in June 1997 by Morning Star. This book records the results of a research project on whales conducted off the coast of Hualien to investigate and document the different species of whales there. (Collection of the National Museum of Taiwan Literature)

⚓︎ Manuscript of "A Book about Whales"｜Written by Liao Hung-chi and featured in THE BOOK OF WHALES & DOLPHINS. This story depicts the killer whale's firm, round body shape, its black and white color pattern, and its love of swimming in different seas. (Lent by Liao Hung-chi)

⚓︎ Manuscript of "Liao Hung-chi's Notebook"｜A notebook containing Liao Hung-chi's writings. The author wrote on the title page: "novels, works of prose, speeches, reading, talking, poems, and dreams." This book presents Liao's writings, field research records, and personal jottings. (Lent by Liao Hung-chi)

⚓︎ Manuscript of "Liao Hung-chi's Writings"｜A notebook containing Liao Hung-chi's writings. This includes Liao's maritime prose pieces such as "Going Home," "Boat House," "Badger Whale," "Sea Dyke," and "Seaman" as well as the draft of "Kuroshio 101 Rafting Project." (Lent by Liao Hung-chi)

⚓︎ Draft of "Big Waves"｜Draft written by Liao Hung-chi on December 20th, 2001. (Lent by Liao Hung-chi)

⚓︎ A STORY OF A WHALE HUMPBACK｜Written by Liu Ka-Shiang and published by Yuan-Liou Publishing Company, September 1993. The book personifies a whale known as He Lian Me Me. (Collection of the National Museum of Taiwan Literature)

⚓︎ THE MAN WITH THE COMPOUND EYES｜Written by Wu Ming-Yi and published by Summer Festival Press in January 2011. The novel describes a manmade garbage island that struck and devastated the ecosystems and sea along the East Coast of Taiwan. The novel follows multiple narratives, each of which closely intertwines with the rest. The story manifests the author's affection for the land and for life. (Collection of the National Museum of Taiwan Literature)

⚓︎ English translation of THE MAN WITH THE COMPOUND EYES.｜Written by Wu Ming-Yi. Translated by Darryl Sterk. Published by Harvill Secker in 2013. (Collection of the National Museum of Taiwan Literature)