Penghu Moon in the Well

About the Book

Louise Lee Hsiu, an award-winning Taiwanese writer who had published ten books in Taiwan before moving to Canada in 2002. Because she wants more English-speaking people to understand her home country Taiwan, she has translated Penghu Moon in the Well from Chinese to English. In fact, it was this book's financial success that enabled her to immigrate to Canada. The novel begins in Waian Penghu, Taiwan, the place of her parent's birth, and then shifts to the Taiwanese port, Kaohsiung, when her parents move there. In 1895, Ch'ing Dynasty was forced to sign the Treaty of Shimonoseki, ceding Taiwan and Penghu to Japan, and so this historic event forms the background of Penghu Moon in the Well. The character, Lee Lian-Zi, who embodies the author herself, narrates the lives of four generations of two Penghu families. There are novels that present tragic epic histories and others that portray the loving bonds that sustain families, and this one is both. Below are four comments about this book:

1. This novel is outstanding. It fully reflects the historical time, social movement of each stage of Taiwan from the end of the Ch'ing Dynasty (1895) to the 1980's. It presents the details of daily public life and the distress of the people in Penghu under the rule of a foreign nation---Japan. The local history of Penghu Islands is the epitome of the whole historical situation of Taiwan - Dr.Ye, renowned Taiwanese historian and novelist.

2. It is very easy to learn about the history of Taiwanese people in Chinese textbooks, but you won't learn Taiwan's authentic history, including that of Taiwan's Penghu Islands. Louise's family history originates in Penghu, so she can write authentically about the history of Taiwan and Penghu. Penghu Moon in the Well is not only a successful novel, but it also reveals actual historical events. - Wang Jiaxiang, Editor, Taiwan Times

3. "Louise's novel affirms that we are all connected, for better or for worse, forever and ever. We travel in a never-ending circle because we want to return home, to the source, to the light at the end of the tunnel." - Barbara Ladouceur, Canadian Writer

4. "I learned a great deal about Taiwan and Penghu, the people, culture and history. The characterizations and descriptions bring us right into the place. I can see why this book has sold very well there. It has made me very curious to visit Penghu and Taiwan." - Jo Blackmore, Publisher, Vancouver Granville Island Publishing

About the Author

About the Author Louise Lee Hsiu was born in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. There she earned her BA in the Humanities and three English Language certificates. In 2002, she moved to Canada for a writer. Since then, she has earned two diplomas in Creative Writing. An award-winning author, Louise has had ten books published in Taiwan. Her published writings include novels, short stories, essays and poetry. At this time, she is translating Taiwanese poetry and her own works from Chinese to English and she is also writing a series of stories in English and Taiwanese. In addition to being a professional writer, she is proficient in playing piano and painting. Below is a list of Louise Lee Hsiu’s published books: 1. The Winter is Gone, 1978 (non-fiction). 2. Moan of Plum Blossom, 1984 (fiction). 3. Heart String of Love, 1987 (non-fiction). 4. Let Me Contact with Only One Man in My Whole Life, 1989 (fiction). 5. Little Raindrops, 1991 (children’s poetry). 6. Looking for the Direction of that Floating Raft, 1991 (non-fiction). 7. Well-Moon Penghu, 1996 (long novel). 8. The Foreign Door of a Woman, 2005 (non-fiction). 9. The Last Garden on Earth, 2007 (translation) 10. A Little Flower, 2011 (A Collection of Children’s Poems in Taiwanese and English) About the Editor Barbara Ladouceur has been writing, editing and teaching for many years. She has co-edited two books published by Ronsdale Press Blackouts to Bright Lights: Canadian War Bride Stories and Canadian Women Overseas: Stories of the Red Cross Corps. Most recently, she has very much enjoyed working with Louise on her book Penghu Moon in the Well. She has applied both her editing and teaching skills to help Louise translate her novel from beautifully written Chinese to beautifully written English.