The Body

The centrepiece of Hanif Kureishi's brilliant new collection of fiction is a novella that delves into the fascinating concept of personal identity, and the extent to which this is rooted in our physical being.

Middle-aged playwright Adam is amazed to be approached by a shadowy organisation and offered the chance to trade in his decrepit body for a much younger model. He takes up the offer for a six-month period, and his consciousness is duly transplanted into the handsome body of his choice.

But Adam soon finds that his new flesh brings with it grave and unforeseen dangers...