Scattered All Over the Earth examines themes of language, identity, and belonging in a globalized world. The story centers on an unnamed narrator navigating a fragmented world, where communication barriers and shifting borders create a sense of dislocation. The narrator meets Hiruko, a woman searching for a way to communicate in a world where languages are breaking down. Through their interactions, the novel reflects on the fluidity of language, culture, and nationality, offering a thought-provoking look at human connection in an increasingly interconnected yet divided world.

Yoko Tawada (1960) is a Japanese-German writer. She was born in Tokyo and moved to Germany in 1982, where she studied German literature. Tawada writes in both Japanese and German, and her works include novels, short stories, and essays. Her notable works include The Naked Eye, Scattered All Over the Earth, and The Emissary, which have been translated into several languages. Tawada has received numerous literary awards, including the Akutagawa Prize and the Goethe Medal. Her writing often explores themes of language, identity, migration, and the intersection of cultures.

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Book available from Bookshop.org, Amazon, and Waterstones (translated by Margaret Mitsutani)
Japanese version available here