Description SYNOPSIS THE DISTANCE BETWEEN STARS is the story of two Americans divided by history and skin color. Joe Kellerman, white, is an accomplished diplomat who has spent his career solving difficult problems in sub-Saharan countries. Maurice Hightower, black, is a prize-winning but controversial journalist who has spent his life exposing injustice in the United States. During a fact-finding trip to an African country that is on the verge of erupting into civil war, and where the U.S. government is accused of supporting the increasingly violent opposition, Hightower travels alone into the bush and then disappears. The dangerous assignment of finding the missing man and bringing him to safety falls to the U.S. Consul, Joe Kellerman. The Distance Between Stars follows Kellerman’s hunt for a man he does not admire, traces Hightower’s pursuit of a truth that ever eludes him, and balances the costs each man must pay to find redemption for a life lived imperfectly. While the novel takes place in Africa, it is a uniquely American story. ADVANCE PRAISE for THE DISTANCE BETWEEN STARS “A finely-crafted, thoughtful, and timely novel. Authentic and compassionate in its story-telling, The Distance between Stars marks Elzinga’s debut as a writer to watch.”— NICKOLAS BUTLER, author of SHOTGUN LOVESONGS and LITTLE FAITH “…a thoroughly authentic novel of Africa whose themes of race, privilege and what it means to be American ring true to anyone who has spent time on the continent. …characters, descriptions and scenes are so believable, and the story so engaging, I felt like this book came directly from the newspaper front pages.” — KEITH RICHBURG, former Africa bureau chief, Washington Post and author of OUT OF AMERICA “…an enthralling story that’s more exciting with each turn of the page. …set against a backdrop of Africa so authentic I could smell the omnipresent cooking fires and relive the joys, trials and tribulations of many years on that magical continent. The spot-on description of diplomatic service, and in particular the challenges of managing visiting VIPs, brought back night sweats I thought I’d left behind. An excellent and enjoyable read!” — AMBASSADOR GREGORY W. ENGLE (Ret.)
