Synopsis
Charlene, a 23-year-old from chilly Minnesota, volunteers to go to Chad, Africa with the Peace Corps in the turbulent 1970s. Young and full of ideals, she hopes to ease the lives of Chadians, but worries about what prompted her—inexperienced and with few skills—to sign up to teach English for two years in Africa. When she fails to connect with the other volunteers or with Chadians, she feels isolated as she struggles to communicate in French and tricky African languages. Charlene is assigned to a city, where she immerses herself in her teaching. Certain Chadian customs horrify her—particularly the treatment of women, who are often considered lesser than any man. Her ex-lover Madison has a far different experience. He is posted to a remote village where he comes to know Chadians in a much more intimate way. Civil war breaks out. The American ambassador orders all Americans to evacuate. Charlene is baffled when Madison fails to show up. All Americans are gathering in Chad’s major cities to flee the country and Madison is a no-show. Where is he? Why isn’t he here for the departure? As the war worsens and the Americans load up a convoy of trucks to escape, Charlene has to decide if she can do anything to save the missing Madison before it’s too late.
About the Author
After serving in the Peace Corps in Chad, Michael Varga became a diplomat serving primarily in hotspots in the Middle East. He served as a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. State Department in the United Arab Emirates, Syria, Morocco, and Canada. He served in Washington, D.C. in the Economic bureau and as the desk officer for Lebanon when the last American hostages were released in the 1990s. He was also a Pearson Fellow at the World Trade Center Miami. He holds a Master's degree in Economics from the University of Notre Dame, a Bachelor's degree in English from Rider University, and is a certified teacher. Michael is a playwright and actor, as well as a writer of fiction. Three of his plays have been produced, and "Collapsing Into Zimbabwe," a short story, earned him first prize in the annual competition sponsored by the Toronto Star. In 1988, the BBC broadcast "There Are No Kangaroos in Egypt." His columns have appeared in various newspapers and journals. Michael appeared in the Glenn Ford movie, Casablanca Express, where he played a GI medic. Even now, he can still repeat his lines. For other works by Michael Varga, visit his website at www.michaelvarga.com. He is currently working on a novel about the Foreign Service. He lives in Georgia where he often-even to this day--has Chad on his mind.
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