Remembering Wang Wen-xing: In Search of the Author of The Man Behind The Book  

In Memoriam

October 4, 2023

By Paulina Lin, executive producer of the Inspired Island series

We miss you! 
 
“During the last few decades, I’ve always given myself a lot of leeway. I haven’t embarked on this path with the purpose of trying to be different. For me, it’s always been about survival: I’m backed against a wall, I’m a trapped beast fighting for survival.”

The filming of Wang Wen-xing: The Man Behind the Book was filled with countless wonderful opportunities and memories. Professor Wang had so many unique insights into literature, drama, music, art, design, and movies. He was always an enthusiastic participant in the production of the documentary—it was as if he were a child, experiencing everything for the very first time. He had the enormous personal charm and charisma of an endlessly creative author. When we were filming, he was a witness to our endeavors, but he was an active participant as well. 

Shortly after filming started in 2009, the entire production crew, from top to bottom, would speak of you with great admiration. Your knowledge and learning, your scholarly ways, always left us with a feeling of profound happiness. And that feeling persists even to this day…

A wonderful teacher, you were our role model. You were always thinking of others, always giving us encouragement. Witty and sharp and a true gentleman, you left an indelible impression even on those who met you only once. We were with you for two whole years, during the entire filming and production process!    

Thank you for leaving us with so many wonderful memories.

“With this book, my plan to is follow it wherever it goes. If my writing takes me to a certain place, that’s where I’ll go.” You have now completed your final chapter. As for us, we will continue to find and read all your wonderful great works.

When I think of you, I take up The Man Behind The Book and read it once more, to experience your faith in literature, the magic in your words. I listen to you reading your own works with just the right rhythm and stress. I remember how we used to work so happily together with the Kao Dao Yin music group, how your fellow writers would describe your insights and demeanor, how it was when we stepped into the Kishu An, your childhood home, and all the aesthetic pleasures we experienced there. I think of the letters that came through the fax machine, again and again, what a surprise they were, so beautiful… In the 21 clues found in our joint documentary, your outlook, the worldview of a great writer, has been forever preserved.