Suggested in the Stars

Suggested in the Stars by Yoko Tawada is the second book in her trilogy, following Scattered All Over the Earth. The novel continues the journey of Hiruko, a woman from a lost island nation once known as the "Land of Sushi." Unable to speak her native language, she has developed a new hybrid tongue called Panska to communicate. Alongside a diverse group of friends, Hiruko travels to Copenhagen, hoping to help Susanoo, another survivor from her homeland who has mysteriously lost his ability to speak. As their journey unfolds, they navigate cultural misunderstandings, unexpected encounters, and the deeper meaning of language and identity. Told from multiple perspectives, Tawada’s novel is both playful and thought-provoking, exploring themes of communication, belonging, and the ways in which language shapes human connection in an ever-changing world.