For fans of Persepolis; An incredible true story in graphic novel
form, that lays bare the tortured and triumphant history of Taiwan, an
island claimed and fought over by many countries, through the life story
of a man who lived through its most turbulent times.
Tsai Kun-lin, an ordinary boy was born in Qingshui, Taichung in 1930s
Taiwan. In part 1 Tsai, in concert with the beautiful illustrations of
Chou Jian-xin, depicts a carefree childhood despite the Japanese
occupation: growing up happily with the company of nursery rhymes and
picture books on Qingshui Street. As war emerges Tsai's memories shift
to military parades, air raids, and watching others face conscription
into the army. It seems no one can escape. After the war, the
book-loving teenager tries hard to learn Mandarin and believes he is
finally stepping towards a comfortable future, but little does he know,
a dark cloud awaits him ahead.
Part 2 opens with Illustrations reminiscent of woodcuts showing the
soul-crushing experience of Tsai's detention and imprisonment. In his
second year at Taichung First Senior High School, Tsai attends a book
club hosted by his teacher and is consequently arrested on a false
charge of taking part in an "illegal" assembly. After being tortured, he
is sentenced to ten years in prison, deprived of civil rights for seven
years, and sent to Green Island for "reformation". Lasting until his
release in September 1960, Tsai, a victim of the White Terror era spent
ten years of his youth in prison on an unjust charge. But he is ready to
embrace freedom.
