The Comfort of Distant Stars: An evening with I.O. Echeruo

Chaired by T.L. Huchu, join us to celebrate a bold coming-of-age tale blending physics, philosophy and Igbo cosmology, 'Echeruo proves a hypnotic, mind-bending talent in this extraordinary novel'- Afua Hirsh We could not be more thrilled to see out a whirlwind October of events with a bold coming-of-age tale blending physics, philosophy and Igbo cosmology, examining how we understand our place in the universe! Join us for an Edinburgh launch of The Comfort of Distant Stars with Orwell Prize finalist I.O.Echeruo, hosted by T L Huchu. We promise you an evening pondering the big questions we all ask ourselves about the nature of time and of being, and diving deep into how fiction can ultimately reveal the startling vulnerability of the human mind. The novel explores themes of neurodivergence, mental health, science, myth, belief and human connection - fans of Chigozie Obioma and Akwaeke Emezi are going to love it. Our speaker: I.O. Echeruo’s debut story collection, Expert in All Styles, was published by Nigerian publisher Farafina and his short fiction has appeared in Transition and Eclectica magazines. He is based between Lagos, Nigeria and Accra, Ghana. The Comfort of Distant Stars was an Orwell Prize for Fiction finalist. Our host: T.L. Huchu is the author of the Edinburgh Nights series, which concluded with the fifth and final, BSFA shortlisted, novel Secrets of the First School. He also writes short fiction which has appeared in numerous venues including Lightspeed, Interzone, Analog Science Fiction and been broadcast on BBC Radio 4. Tendai dabbles in translation between the Shona and English languages and his next project “The Four Marriages of Nakai Banga” is heavily influenced by this experience. Find him online @TendaiHuchu or at a local pub near you.