Taipei: German novelist Stephan Thome has unveiled his latest work, “Plum Rain,” which he describes as a love letter to Taiwan. The novel, originally published in German and now available in Chinese, traces the multigenerational story of a family in Keelung, with roots extending from Japan’s colonial rule through the 2010s. Central to the narrative is the trauma of the White Terror era.

According to Focus Taiwan, Thome was inspired to write “Plum Rain” following a visit to Jinguashi in northern Taiwan in 2018. This trip prompted him to delve deeper into Taiwan’s historical ties with World War II, which he had not fully understood. Thome, who first visited Taiwan in 1996 and is married to a Taiwanese woman, said this experience enriched his understanding and influenced the development of his novel’s narrative and characters.

The White Terror era, marked by the Kuomintang government’s crackdown from the late 1940s to the late 1980s, is a pivotal theme in the book. During this period, many were arrested or exe
cuted without due process. Thome noted the contrast between the silence of Taiwanese victims and the open discussions about the Nazi era in Germany, which he sought to capture in his novel.

Identity struggles also play a significant role in “Plum Rain.” Thome, who grew up in West Germany during the Cold War, is fascinated by how people navigate identity during major transitions. The novel’s protagonist, Umeko Lee, embodies this struggle, shifting from wanting to be Japanese to embracing a Taiwanese identity.

Thome, now residing in Taiwan, emphasized the importance of understanding the island’s history. He referenced Taiwan’s former Chief of the General Staff Lee Hsi-min, who described the public’s attitude toward China as overly optimistic. Thome warned of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s ambitions for unification and called for Taiwanese consolidation to deter Beijing.

Reflecting on the present, Thome urged the public to take action. “Perhaps when we look back in 2027, we’ll think this year is a watershed m
oment,” he said, stressing the need for immediate awareness and action.