Stars in My Pocket Like Grains of Sand is a narrative that weaves together the destinies of two individuals from distant planets, brought together by unforeseen cosmic forces. This intricate tale explores how their paths intersect and impact those around them. The story's heart is the complex interplay of various characters whose lives are entangled in this interstellar odyssey.

Rat Korga's Journey Begins

The novel introduces us to Rhyonon, where Rat Korga's existence as a societal outlier unfolds. Having undergone Radical Anxiety Termination, Korga finds himself in institutional slavery, performing degrading chores for his overseers. His fate takes a darker turn when he is illegally sold into personal bondage, only to be recaptured, facing an endless cycle of manual labor. However, this grim existence is abruptly altered by the annihilation of Rhyonon, potentially at the hands of the enigmatic Xlv, an alien species yet to communicate with humans.

The Web's Intervention and the Dyeth Connection

Rat Korga is salvaged by the Web, a vast intergalactic entity, which restores his cognitive abilities through the powerful rings of Vondramach Okk. This connection to the Dyeth family is profound, as their immense wealth stems from the pivotal service of an ancestor, Mother Dyeth, to Vondramach Okk, a sovereign of multiple worlds including Velm. This sense of destiny is palpable when Korga, adorned with these rings, arrives at Dyethshome, an ancient estate now a hub for scholarly pursuits. Here, Marq Dyeth is instinctively drawn to Korga, confirming the Web’s assessment of their mutual attraction. As a keen learner, Korga exudes an enigmatic aura, diving into both research and the alien customs of Velm.

The Diverse World of Velm

Velm, a planet shared by humans and the indigenous evelm, presents a society of intricate interspecies dynamics. The evelm, creatures with six limbs and multiple tongues, maintain an uneasy coexistence with humans. Notably, the southern regions of Velm are celebrated for fostering positive interspecies relationships, while the northern areas have only recently sanctioned sexual interactions between humans and evelm. The Dyeth family epitomizes progressive interspecies harmony, with Marq having both human and evelm family members. Korga is introduced to this blended family, embarking on a journey to grasp the complexities of evelm and human cultural integration.

Exploring Velm's Sexual Norms

On Velm, Korga discovers a broad spectrum of sexual expression. He and Marq Dyeth seem to reach a pinnacle of emotional and sexual satisfaction together. However, Velm's societal norms depict sexuality not as an exclusive bond but as an open exploration. This is vividly illustrated in the sexual "run" that Marq Dyeth guides Korga through, where individuals—human and evelm alike—engage in varied sexual activities. These runs accommodate all sexual preferences, whether heterosexual or homosexual, within a species or across species boundaries.

The Dragon Hunt: A Cultural Revelation

A significant moment in Korga’s cultural immersion occurs when Marq suggests participating in a dragon hunt. Anticipating a deadly pursuit, Korga and the reader are surprised to find it is a non-lethal encounter facilitated by radar-guided bows. Striking the dragon briefly connects the hunter's consciousness with the creature’s. Both Korga and Marq excel in this challenge, later sharing their experiences through traditional songs. Korga's presence during the hunt attracts attention, drawing a crowd eager to connect with the sole survivor of Rhyonon.

The Gathering Storm

Following the dragon hunt, as Korga and Marq attend a dinner at Dyethshome, a burgeoning crowd gathers outside, captivated by Korga's enigmatic influence. As the throng swells to a potentially hazardous size, Korga and Marq project their images to address the crowd, urging them to disperse peacefully. This intervention marks a turning point as the Web's representatives escort Korga away, warning of Xlv spaceships ominously circling Velm, possibly with destructive intent. Left in emotional turmoil, Dyeth must cope with Korga's sudden departure, while the Web remains silent about his destiny. The narrative concludes without resolution, setting the stage for the continuation in Delany's anticipated sequel, The Splendor and Misery of Bodies, of Cities.