Li Ang (writer)

Shih Shu-tuan 施淑端
Born	Shih Shu-tuan (施淑端; Pinyin: Shī Shūduān) (1952-04-05) 5 April 1952 (age 74) Changhua, Lukang, Taiwan
Pen name	Li Ang（李昂; Pinyin: Lǐ Áng）
Occupation	Writer
Language	Chinese
Nationality	Taiwanese
Education	Master of Drama– University of Oregon-Eugene, U.S.A. (1977)
Period	1969– present
Genre	Fiction
Notable works	The Butcher’s Wife Mysterious Garden
Notable awards	“Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres” by French Minister of Culture and Communication

Shih Shu-tuan (Chinese: 施淑端; born 5 April 1952, in Lukang, Taiwan), is a Taiwanese feminist writer. She also uses the pen name Li Ang (Chinese: 李昂). She finished her studies in philosophy at Chinese Culture University and she later studied drama at the University of Oregon. Li Ang then returned to teach at her old university. Her main work is The Butcher's Wife (殺夫: 1983, tr. 1986), but she has written many other novels. Her stories often contain feminist themes and sexuality, and many take place in Lukang.

Career

The Butcher's Wife criticizes traditional Chinese patriarchy. The story tells about a female character who is forced into marriage with a much older, cruel butcher by her dead father's brother. The butcher abuses her sexually and scares her in various ways, such as a visit to the slaughterhouse. In a confused state, the main character in the end, kills him with a butcher's knife.

Li Ang is famous for her unique, honest, and deep insights into gender politics in modern Taiwan society. She started writing when she was just 16 years old and has since written nearly twenty novels and collections of short stories. Her works mainly tell about women's issues such as sexuality during adolescence, feminism, gender roles, and female experiences. For her courage in using topics that are often considered "hard to talk about" Taiwanese culture, critics both in China and around the world praised her. Her books have been translated into many languages and are sold worldwide. Major newspapers like The New York Times told about her books and some films and television series used them. In 2004, Li Ang received the “Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres” from the French Minister of Culture and Communication for her important contributions to global literature.

Works

This is a complete list of Li Ang's works published in Taiwan as well as the English translations of her work.

References