‘Adam, Where Are You?’: CM Satheesan’s church speeches turn into bestseller in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: The English edition of Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan’s book in Malayalam, ‘Adam Nee Evide Aakunnu? (Adam, Where Are You?)’ is now keenly awaited, as the Malayalam version continues to make waves in the market, crossing sales of more than 10,000 copies within weeks of its release.

The book, a collection of Satheesan’s speeches delivered at various Christian church gatherings while he was Leader of Opposition, has emerged as one of the notable non-fiction successes of the year, with its publisher expecting the English version to launch the book to a wider national audience.

Published by D.C. Books on May 8, the book entered the market at a politically significant moment, days after the Congress-led UDF registered a decisive victory in the Assembly elections, ending the 10-year rule of the Left government led by Pinarayi Vijayan.

At the time of its release, intense discussions were underway within the Congress over who would lead the UDF government.

Though Satheesan was among the frontrunners, the possibility of senior leader Ramesh Chennithala and the surprise entry of AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal into the leadership race had kept the issue open.

After several rounds of consultations, Satheesan eventually emerged as the choice for Chief Minister.

Since assuming office, Satheesan’s public presence, particularly his style of handling media interactions and his interventions in the Assembly, has generated fresh interest around him.

The growing curiosity around the new Chief Minister appears to have also reflected in the demand for his book.

Speaking to IANS, Roy Mathew, media secretary to Satheesan, who edited the book, said the response had been extremely encouraging.

“The response has been excellent. More than 10,000 copies have already been sold. The English edition, expected next month, could take the book to a much wider audience,” he said.

Publisher Ravi D.C has gone on record to say that around 250 copies were being sold daily through D.C. Books outlets, adding that the book had received strong feedback from readers.

The English edition is expected to be released in July.

The book contains 32 chapters and includes speeches delivered by Satheesan at nearly 250 meetings organised by various churches.

Former Mahatma Gandhi University Vice-Chancellor Dr Cyriac Thomas has written the foreword.

The title of the book comes from Satheesan’s speech at the reception given by the native parish of Cardinal-designate Archbishop Mar George Jacob Koovakad.

The speech, “Adam, Where Are You?”, had gone viral.

Another notable speech included in the book was delivered at the Kumbanad Convention of the India Pentecostal Church in January 2023, where the theme was “Let Your Kingdom Come”.

With the English edition set to arrive soon, the book’s journey from a collection of speeches to a bestseller is being seen as another indicator of the expanding public interest around 62-year-old Satheesan, barely weeks into his tenure as Chief Minister.

IANS