Adam & Eve & Pinch Me

"Adam & Eve & Pinch Me" by A. E. Coppard is a collection of whimsical and imaginative tales written in the early 20th century. The stories often blend elements of the fantastical with poignant reflections on life, providing a unique narrative experience. Set against various backgrounds, the narratives showcase eccentric characters who navigate through curious adventures—many appear to grapple with existential themes and the human condition. The opening of this collection introduces a character named Michael Fionnguisa, who embarks on an intriguing journey filled with encounters that highlight the absurdities of life and the complexities of human nature. As he walks through a picturesque landscape, he meets different colorful individuals, including a comically rotund man named Monk, whose philosophy on life juxtaposes sharply with Michael’s introspection. The dialogue is rich with humor and poetic language, framing their discoveries and interactions in a surreal yet meaningful way. This opening segment sets the tone for the deeper explorations of love, existence, and the peculiarities of humanity that unfold in the tales that follow. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Alfred Edgar Coppard was an English author, noted for his short stories, many of which had rural settings. Largely self-taught, he was championed by Ford Madox Ford and Arnold Bennett, among others, in his lifetime, and more recently by Frank O’Connor, Doris Lessing and Russell Banks. Some of his stories were dramatised for British television in the 1960s and 1970s.