Francesca Danielle’s Reviews > Taiwan Travelogue > Status Update

The last chapter is a dream and reads like a farewell and an apology to Chizuru. This chapter was most likely added after the first manuscript which means that this is not a "real event" but rather the ending that Chizuko wished they both had -- baring their hearts to one another, being honest with each other and sharing one final meal together knowing that there were no longer any walls between them. How sad :(

This is when the official transcript ends and I enjoy how Chizuru haunts the narrative and nestles into Chizuko's bones, boring into her stomach like guilt after realizing just how many mistakes she's made. Not only that but Mishima! Way to tell her. I was cheering for him the whole time while he lectured Chizuko about her self-righteousness and arrogance. I loved this chapter so much -- the guilt, yearning and pain.

How fitting that their final meal together was a whole banquet. It hurts even more knowing that they were special to one another, all without ever mentioning love or belonging. Because they would never be able to have each other in a way that mattered. For Chizuko, she had longed for O Chizuru, and not the real person behind the Noh mask, Ông Tshian-hóh.

Food as a universal language of love when Chizuru is unable to communicate why she has to put a wall between her and Chizuko, how she genuinely cannot become her friend when she and Chizuko consider each other as "special". Chizuko arguing from a place of privilege and even offering to whisk Chizuru away not knowing that this would make the disparity even more glaring T_T "You'll only need me?" Okay man...

My favorite chapter in terms of unravelling the dynamic between the two women. In the end, no matter how much Chizuko preaches about their seeming equality against all odds, it seems as though she still reinforces Chizuru's lower status by insisting on "protecting her" by gifting her a kimono -- the cultural outfit of her oppressor. Painful, isn't it?

I just realized how a translator can only rely on the words of others to create something, whereas a novelist has a wealth of ideas and opportunities to create. Inherent dichotomy between the Mainlander Chizuko, who can do anything she wants, and Chizuru, who can only derive happiness from others....

It’s clear that even if Chizuko and Chizuru are closer than they were at the beginning, there are still many secrets that Chizuru is keeping from her.

Chizuko and Chizuru seeing another Mainlander-Islander couple right when their feelings are on the cusp. The myth of two students being hidden away by the gods so that two factions could live in harmony which relates to potential Taiwan-Japan friendship, but this ignores the social subtext required of a Mainlander-Islander couple. Also the reversal of the use of an Islander slur on the Mainlander is so good.

Just romantic tension all around... these lesbians can't just say "I like you" they have to pull some "Her voice was like a gentle breeze in my heart" and "Her Noh mask slipped slightly until all that was left was begrudging fondness"........

This chapter seems like a tipping point for both women as they become more comfortable with each other, but every time Chizuko opens her mouth I'm abruptly reminded of how deeply ingrained Japan's propaganda was to its citizens (including its critics). I also enjoy the angle the book uses in talking about the dangers of colonialism on the destruction of individual culture through Chizuru, who has witnessed cycles.