Sevtap Ayhan
A luminous story of loneliness, love, and the power of imagination to heal.
In a forgotten mining town, Yola is known by many—but accepted by no one. Called “the scabby girl,” she finds refuge in her imagination and the company of glowing, invented birds she calls the udu birds. Her world changes when she meets Nino, the mine owner’s son, who is facing a life-threatening illness and quietly wrestling with existential questions.
As their friendship deepens, the two are guided by a mysterious figure known only as the Companion—who helps them see beyond appearances and reflect on what it means to be truly human.
Tender, haunting, and rich with metaphor, The Star We Carry is a powerful story about resilience, compassion, and the search for belonging. Based on the author’s own childhood memories, it is a novel that lingers in the heart long after the last page.
KEY NOTES:
- Blurs the line between reality and imagination
- A profound look at class, isolation, and emotional survival
Award: 1st Prize, 2022 Tudem Literature Awards Themes: Empathy, Class Differences, Loneliness, Illness, Bullying
12+ Novel, 256 pages, 13.5×19.5 cm