An eclectic coming-of-age debut suffusing physics, wicked humour, existential longing and Igbo cosmology from a masterful new literary voice Ezeani is no ordinary child. He sees things others don’t. Despite the burden of these visions, his precocious nature blossoms into genius and Ezeani grows up to be a gifted mathematician and physicist. When he leaves Nigeria and his adoring family behind to study at Cornell in the US, he remains haunted by his most persistent vision, Anyanwu, the Sun God. While Ezeani is adjusting to his new life in America, Anyanwu’s presence takes on an increasingly sinister and malevolent form—and chaos reigns. It’s enough to make anyone lose their grip on reality.

The Comfort of Distant Stars is a bold coming-of-age tale blending physics, philosophy and Igbo cosmology, examining how we understand our place in the universe. It ponders the big questions we all ask ourselves about the nature of time and of being—ultimately revealing the startling vulnerability of the human mind.