Name: The Man with the Compound Eyes
ISBN: 9781846556715

Ming-Yi Wu

On Wayo-wayo, every second son has to sail into the wide sea as sacrifice to the Sea God on the day he turns fifteen. Atile'i is one such boy. Being the strongest swimmer and best sailor on the island, he sets out to defy destiny. His journey takes him across the ocean to a vast and strange island, one which is built of material he's never seen before and devoid of any signs of life.

The Man with the Compound Eyes

Wu Ming-Yi

From the author of The Stolen Bicycle - longlisted for the International Man Booker Prize On the island of Wayo Wayo, every second son must leave on the day he turns fifteen as a sacrifice to the Sea God. Atile’i however is determined to defy destiny and become the first to survive. Across the sea, Alice Shih’s life is interrupted when a vast trash vortex comes crashing onto the shore of Taiwan, bringing Atile’i with it. In the aftermath of the catastrophe, Atile’i and Alice retrace her late husband’s footsteps into the mountains, hoping to solve the mystery of her son’s disappearance. On their journey, memories will be challenged, an unusual bond formed, and a dark secret uncovered that will force Alice to question everything she thought she knew.

I loved this (I read his later book The Stolen Bicycle first, which made me pick up this one).

It might be one of the saddest, and yet most beautiful books I've read. A mixture of magical realism, environmental concerns, and Taiwanese indigenous culture, it was written over 10 years ago, and the environmental issues it predicts have only gotten worse and more hopeless since. In the end it's down to a small black and white rescue cat to give the main protagonist a reason to keep living, which seems apt.

Mario Menti 

I loved this (I read his later book The Stolen Bicycle first, which made me pick up this one).

It might be one of the saddest, and yet most beautiful books I've read. A mixture of magical realism, environmental concerns, and Taiwanese indigenous culture, it was written over 10 years ago, and the environmental issues it predicts have only gotten worse and more hopeless since. In the end it's down to a small black and white rescue cat to give the main protagonist a reason to keep living, which seems apt.

Jeremy Wang

another artsy asian book! really striking idea to merge so many disparate narratives (aboriginal taiwanese and han chinese; isolated pacific islander; german and norwegian) around such a singularly modern event (pacific garbage patch hits the coast of taiwan??). 

at time a bit hard to follow because of its chaotic structure and high character count, but it’s redeemed by some off-kilter yet beautiful imagery and a mysterious recurring symbol. worth a read for some unfamiliar emotions and interesting anthropology

Katie Chua

people compare this to murakami which i really wouldn't ... i think the magical realism parts weren't even that magical realism, if not just more ... folklore? mythology? actually reminded me more of a tale for the time being, with its ecocriticism, thoughts on the relationship between reader and writer, and ~island life~. have never read something from a taiwanese author though, so this was really cool and an interesting perspective 

also made me research the trash vortex afterwards :o

On the island of Wayo Wayo, every second son must leave on the day he turns fifteen as a sacrifice to the Sea God. Atile'i is one such boy, but as the strongest swimmer and best sailor, he is determined to defy destiny and become the first to survive. Alice Shih, who has lost her husband and son in a climbing accident, is quietly preparing to commit suicide in her house by the sea. But her plan is interrupted when a vast trash vortex comes crashing onto the shore of Taiwan, bringing Atile'i with it. In the aftermath of the catastrophe, Atile'i and Alice retrace her late husband's footsteps into the mountains, hoping to solve the mystery of her son's disappearance. On their journey, memories will be challenged, an unusual bond formed, and a dark secret uncovered that will force Alice to question everything she thought she knew.

jam 🍯

I adored this book so much that even now I don't feel like putting it down. This novel captured magical realism in a way that feels even closer and dearer than Murakami (although it gives more explanations that Murakami ever does). Each of the characters feel real and surreal at the same time, and take bold action that makes sense for who they are.

The book takes place mostly on the island of Taiwan, which felt like a return home for me even though I was raised in the US. Isn't that amazing? That a good book can draw you in and invite you back to the home you never really knew?

I will say this. Chinese culture has a very particular relationship to their sons. As a daughter, I was skeptical about my ability to truly enjoy a book that focuses on sons so heavily as a theme and character wise from the description. But I found the women to be (mostly) well drawn out, strong characters that stood on their own and held more resolve than then men. The men too were allowed more emotional depth and understanding than tradition would seem to dictate. I found it very satisfying.

Hidde

Some have called Ming-Yi Wu the Taiwanese Murakami, and I can see why. This book is rather poetic and creative. It touches both on current affairs and bigger themes. I heard great things about the original, but was not overwhelmed as much, possibly because some if it is hard to translate?