His Father's Disease

His Father's Disease by Aruni Kashyap is a collection of literary short stories that explores identity, sexuality, violence and belonging through intimate, character-driven narratives. Set across villages, emerging towns and urban spaces, the stories examine the complexities of personal and cultural identity while questioning the expectations placed on people and the stories they choose to tell.

Moving between the personal and the political, His Father's Disease presents characters confronting love, family, memory and social realities. Drawing on nuanced storytelling, the collection reflects on silence, desire, hope and loss, offering readers a thoughtful exploration of contemporary life and the many ways people understand themselves and their communities.

About This Book

The collection opens with an Assamese writer attending a literary conference in Delhi, where assumptions about his work prompt broader questions about representation, identity and whose stories receive attention. From there, the narratives expand into a series of interconnected explorations of human relationships and lived experience.

Aruni Kashyap examines themes including motherhood, sexuality, violence and emotional conflict through stories rooted in everyday life. The collection also considers how place, memory and social expectations shape individual lives, inviting readers to reflect on what remains spoken, unspoken and misunderstood.

What You'll Discover

• Literary short stories exploring identity, belonging and self-expression.
• Reflections on sexuality, family relationships and human connection.
• Narratives examining violence, memory, hope and personal conflict.
• Stories set across villages, towns and urban environments.
• Questions about representation, storytelling and cultural identity.
• Character-driven explorations of contemporary social realities.

Perfect For

• Readers of contemporary literary fiction.
• Short story enthusiasts.
• Those interested in post-colonial literature.
• Readers exploring themes of identity and belonging.
• Fans of character-focused storytelling.

Why You'll Love This Book

His Father's Disease offers a thoughtful collection of stories that examine the complexities of identity, relationships and place with honesty and emotional depth. Aruni Kashyap's distinctive voice invites readers to engage with characters whose experiences illuminate the tensions, hopes and contradictions of contemporary life.