Abacus: A Grandfather’s Journey from China to Taiwan – S6-Bonus
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- Hudson Wei was inspired to write his historical novel 'Abacus' after realizing how little he knew about the grandfather who raised him following his death during the COVID pandemic.
- The novel traces a multigenerational saga that begins with the grandfather's dramatic journey from war-torn Wuhan, China, to Pingtung, Taiwan, in 1946.
- The story highlights terrifying historical events, including how Wei's grandfather nearly lost his life during the tragic 228 Incident in Yuanlin in 1947.
- Later in Taipei, Wei's grandfather became involved with the Bai Tuan (White Group), a secretive organization composed of former Japanese military officers.
- Before becoming an author, Hudson Wei was known to some music fans as Leeway, a member of the Taiwanese-American pop group Cool Silly.
- The discussion explores the broader themes of immigration to the United States and the complex family relationships that turn personal history into compelling fiction.
When his grandfather died during the COVID pandemic, Hudson Wei realized how little he knew about the man who had raised him. Determined to uncover his story, he interviewed relatives, pieced together family memories, and eventually turned this into a historical novel, Abacus.
Hudson joins John from California to discuss this multigenerational saga. They begin with his grandfather’s journey from war-torn Wuhan, China, to Pingtung, Taiwan, in 1946. They then follow him to Yuanlin in central Taiwan, where he nearly lost his life during the 228 Incident of 1947. Later, in Taipei, he became involved with the mysterious Bai Tuan (White Group), a secretive organization of former Japanese military officers.
John and Hudson also discuss immigration to the United States and the complicated family relationships that inspired him to turn his family history into fiction. (BTW, some listeners might know Hudson as Leeway (藍力威) from his time with the Taiwanese-American pop group Cool Silly (傻酷, Shǎ Kù).)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the book 'Abacus' by Hudson Wei about?
'Abacus' is a historical novel that chronicles a multigenerational family saga, inspired by the journey of author Hudson Wei's grandfather from wartime China to Taiwan.
Who is Hudson Wei?
Hudson Wei is an author and former member of the Taiwanese-American pop group Cool Silly, where he was known as Leeway, who wrote a novel based on his grandfather's life.
What historical events are covered in Hudson Wei's family story?
The narrative covers the grandfather's 1946 migration from Wuhan, China, to Pingtung, Taiwan, his narrow escape from death during the 1947 228 Incident, and his connections to the secretive Bai Tuan.
What is the Bai Tuan mentioned in the podcast?
The Bai Tuan, or White Group, was a secretive organization in Taipei made up of former Japanese military officers.