Writing About the Ocean From the Pacific Islands-Cover to Cover Ep. 3
In writing from the Pacific islands, Syaman Rapongan shows his belief in the sea as both a way of living and a defining part of his identity. “Eyes of the Ocean” is his captivating memoir, centered on his family, a life shaped by the sea, and his long journey across the Pacific. Translated by Darryl Sterk, it is written in a mix of Taiwanese Mandarin and the Indigenous Tao language, which displays the layered histories of the Orchid Island and the author himself. This masterpiece stands as a transformative piece of environmental writing and a brilliant example of oceanic literature, a body of writing that explores the ocean as a central subject. Follow Syaman Rapongan through a lifetime lived with the sea, his encounters with other Indigenous communities, and his adventures to the Cook Islands, Fiji, the Philippines, and beyond. In this conversation, the extraordinary ocean writer reflects on colonization and humanity’s relationship with the ocean. The ocean connects, even as people continue to struggle against histories of oppression. “Cover to Cover” is a book podcast and interview series featuring in-depth conversations with four distinguished authors. Host Emily Y. Wu invites guests to share unique perspectives on their work in hopes to explore the history, identity, and stories that shape contemporary Taiwan.
