“Well, it’s the sinners who keep this world going… The well-behaved just get on with their lives, while it is the villains and the scoundrels who prompt changes in the world.” 

 

Adam is a collection of nine short stories that exhibit human beings in all their bountiful greed, untamed violence and endless desires. It’s a dark, disturbing and at times humorous exploration of all the warped corners of the human psyche. 

 

As with all collection of short stories, some will send chills down your spine, some probably won’t make a mark and some will be a little wanting. What stands out about this book is the unpredictability of Hareesh’s writing. It’s unconventional but skilfully restrained, and never overpowers the narrative. 

Often, a non-linear narrative undermines the plot but that this doesn’t happen at all in the book is very refreshing. 

 

This was the first collection of short stories I read this year and I’m really hoping that all the others I might read stand up to it. 

 

My favourite stories are Adam (which is just so so brilliant, and probably one of my all time favourite stories now!), Death Notice & Kavyamela. 

 

Hareesh’s novel, Moustache, won the JCB Prize for Literature in 2020 and I have a feeling I might pick it up soon!