What is novel research really like?Not relaxing at all. For her writing, Utsudo traveled alone to the former residence of Mr. Wu Zhuoliu in Hsinchu, leaving at dawn and transferring between several buses, only to find the residence half-abandoned because no one was caring for it. Known as the “Iron-Blooded Poet,” Wu wrote novels from his own experiences spanning the late Japanese colonial era to the postwar years — precious historical records.

Translated from Utsudo’s original Chinese column.

A novel research trip: visiting Mr. Wu Zhuoliu’s former residence

　　In mid-August this year, I went alone to central and northern Taiwan for research.

　　First I spent two days in Taipei visiting friends and doing research, then started heading south. The next stop was “Mr. Wu Zhuoliu’s Former Residence” in Hsinchu.

　　That day I got up at 5 a.m., caught a bus around 7, then rode for over two hours, swaying through several bus transfers before finally arriving. Along the way I nearly missed buses many times and rushed through the muggy heat.

　　The place is remote —only three buses a day go there, and they’re spaced far apart. In other words, if you accidentally miss one, you may have to turn to a pricey taxi, or else stare down the egrets here QQ

　　At first I walked there. In those misty, muggy hills, there were mostly rice paddies and distant mountains. There are residents, but it basically felt deserted. Not counting passing cars, I think I saw more egrets than people XD

A half-abandoned courtyard house

　　When I arrived at Mr. Wu Zhuoliu’s former residence, I was surprised to find it seemed no one had cared for it in a long time — dust, cobwebs and fallen leaves everywhere, and all the lights were off. It was my first time turning on the lights myself at a tourist site… When I switched on the third light,a big huntsman spider jumped down, waaaah, scared me to death Q口Q

　　The dim, half-abandoned courtyard house felt a bit eerie, especially the main hall with many photos of ancestors. But I figured Mr. Wu Zhuoliu would protect me (?), so I put up with the mosquitoes, took as many photos as I could, and signed the guestbook.

　　Judging from the guestbook, people still come to visit now and then, which was a little comforting.

　　Later, as I got ready to wait for the bus, I met some elderly ladies living nearby and chatted with them a bit. I learned that the Wu family descendant who took care of the residence passed away last year, and no one has taken over yet — no wonder it’s in this state QQ…

The Iron-Blooded Poet, Wu Zhuoliu

　　Because of my writing, I came to know Mr. Wu Zhuoliu through books, videos, photos and more, and was deeply moved by his spirit. He truly lives up to being called the “Iron-Blooded Poet,” a literary forerunner.His works are plain yet true; at the risk of his life, he recorded many things people of his time dared not say.

　　Although Mr. Wu wrote many poems, this time I’m mainly discussing his novels. He didn’t actually write many, but they span many important changes in Taiwan’s history — the late Japanese colonial era, the retrocession, the Nationalist government’s move to Taiwan — making them very precious historical records.

　　The characters and their experiences actually closely resemble his own life. He wrote from the experiences of his whole life — perhaps so later generations would know we once lived through such an era, and never forget how hard-won everything we have now is.

　　It’s already been decades since he passed away, but his spirit lives on. Seeing the residence like this, with the big pond outside and the cherry blossom path a bit overgrown, made me a little sad QQ

　　I couldn’t help wondering: once people are gone, are they gradually forgotten by the world?

　　If so, when we work hard to leave behind some proof that we lived, decades or centuries from now, who will still remember?

FAQ

Further reading (in Chinese)

• Previous: #97 (in Chinese)
• Next: #99 (in Chinese)
• Start from the beginning: #01 — Utsudo’s debut
• Column introduction
• Utsudo’s books

About the author

Utsudo is a Taiwanese light novelist and novelist VTuber with more than ten years in the industry and 40 commercially published print books. Her novel 《遺失的情書》 received a 2022 Ministry of Culture youth creative award. The 《嘿！聽說妳在鬼島當作家》 series records her experiences as a novelist in Taiwan.

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