Bo Yang, novelist of ‘Ugly Chinese,’ dies at age 89

Born Kuo Yi-tung at Kaifeng in 1919, Bo Yang is known for his novels, “Strange Place” and “Ugly Chinese.” His wife said a memorial service will be held in a week. The novelist was a Christian.

Bo Yang had trouble with the authorities in 1950.

He was charged with listening to Chinese Communist radio broadcasts and sentenced to six months in prison.

In 1968 Bo Yang translated a “Popeye” comic strip series and was tried for “insinuating at” President Chiang Kai-shek by letting the cartoon sailor and his son talk about their marooned life on a barren island. The military tribunal convicted Bo Yang of sedition and sentenced him to 12 years in jail.

Part of the sentence was served on Green Island, a couple of miles off Taitung on eastern Taiwan.

The novelist willed his remains be cremated and the ashes thrown over waters around Green Island.

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