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Short Stories· Taiwan

The Taste of Apples

by Huang Chun-ming
Aggregate Editorial Score30/100
Published 1972Chinese
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About This Book

Huang Chun-ming's The Taste of Apples (1972) stands as one of the most significant works of short stories of its era. 'The Taste of Apples' is a collection of short stories by Huang Chun-ming that offers a vivid portrayal of Taiwanese society in the 1960s and 70s. Through a series of poignant and often humorous tales, Huang captures the struggles and aspirations of ordinary people amidst rapid social change. The collection is celebrated for its empathetic characterizations and its insightful commentary on the human condition. Themes of social change, ordinary life, human condition run through the work.

Book Details

AuthorHuang Chun-ming
Published1972
Country of Origin🇹🇼 Taiwan
LanguageChinese
Category📄 Short Stories
ISBN9780231118479
Editorial Score30/100
About the Category

📄 Short Stories

Collections of concise fiction exploring a wide range of human experience.

Explore all Short Stories books →
Country of Origin

🇹🇼 Taiwan

This book is part of Taiwan's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Taiwan →

Editorial Assessment

The Taste of Apples by Huang Chun-ming sits within the tradition of short stories that treats language as seriously as plot. Published in 1972 in Taiwan, it engages with social change, ordinary life, human condition, aspiration in ways that have earned it lasting critical attention. With an editorial score of 30/100 drawn from 1 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys. What distinguishes The Taste of Apples is how it handles its central concerns — social change, ordinary life, human condition, aspiration — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. The Taste of Apples reflects Huang Chun-ming's place in a wider literary tradition. The book's concerns resonate with Taiwan's broader cultural preoccupations, even as they reach beyond any single national context.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Guardian 100 Best Novels
notable · regional
19720
✍️
About the Author
Huang Chun-ming
Taiwan
View Author →

Huang Chun-ming is a Taiwan author whose work in short stories has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Taste of Apples about?

'The Taste of Apples' is a collection of short stories by Huang Chun-ming that offers a vivid portrayal of Taiwanese society in the 1960s and 70s. Through a series of poignant and often humorous tales, Huang captures the struggles and aspirations of ordinary people amidst rapid social change. The collection is celebrated for its empathetic characterizations and its insightful commentary on the human condition.

Who wrote The Taste of Apples?

The Taste of Apples was written by Huang Chun-ming, from Taiwan. First published in 1972.

What awards has The Taste of Apples won?

The Taste of Apples has received the following recognition: notable critical recognition.

Is The Taste of Apples worth reading?

The Taste of Apples is a well-regarded book with an aggregate editorial score of 30/100 on 50 Best Books. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in social change, ordinary life, human condition.

Where can I buy The Taste of Apples?

You can buy The Taste of Apples on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is The Taste of Apples?

The Taste of Apples is classified as Short Stories. Collections of concise fiction exploring a wide range of human experience.

What country is The Taste of Apples from?

The Taste of Apples originates from Taiwan's literary tradition. Explore more books from Taiwan on our country page.

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