Scattered All Over the Earth

A National Book Award-winning novelist's mind-expanding, cheerfully dystopian novel about friendship, difference, and what it means to belong is called "Scattered All Over the Earth." It is about Hiruko, a climate refugee who teaches immigrant children in Denmark with her invented language Panska. She makes new friends who join her in her travels, searching for anyone who can still speak her mother tongue. The novel features an umami cooking competition, a dead whale, an ultra-nationalist named Breivik, Kakuzo robots, uranium, and an Andalusian bull fight.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 01 June 2023
Publisher: Granta Books

A captivating and upbeat dystopian novel that delves into the themes of friendship, diversity, and belonging, written by the acclaimed National Book Award-winning author.

Welcome to a not-too-distant future where Japan, once submerged beneath the sea, is now remembered as the land of sushi. Hiruko, a former citizen and a climate refugee herself, finds herself in a unique situation as she works as a teacher for immigrant children in Denmark, using her invented language, Panska (Pan-Scandinavian). With no country to call her own and the challenge of learning three different languages in a limited time, Hiruko resorts to creating her own language, Panska, which is designed to be easily understood by most Scandinavian people.

As Hiruko embarks on her journey in search of those who can still speak her mother tongue, she meets a diverse group of characters. Knut, a linguistics graduate student, is captivated by Hiruko's Panska and becomes her loyal companion. Akash, an Indian man who lives as a woman and wears a red sari, adds a unique perspective to their group. Nanook, an Eskimo from Greenland, initially mistaken for another refugee from the land of sushi, brings with him a wealth of knowledge and traditions. Nora, who works at the Karl Marx House in Trier, adds a political dimension to their adventures.

Through their episodic adventures, the characters encounter a range of captivating events and phenomena. From an umami cooking competition to a dead whale, from ultra-nationalist Breivik to Kakuzo robots, from uranium to an Andalusian bull fight, Scattered All Over the Earth is a testament to Yoko Tawada's exceptional storytelling abilities. The novel is vividly imagined, filled with rich details and captivating characters, and will leave readers spellbound from start to finish.

In conclusion, Scattered All Over the Earth is a must-read for anyone who enjoys dystopian fiction, exploring the complexities of human relationships, and pondering the meaning of belonging in a world that is constantly evolving. Yoko Tawada's exceptional talent for storytelling and her unique vision of the future make this novel a true masterpiece that will leave a lasting impression on readers.

Weight: 158g
Dimension: 197 x 130 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781783789122