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I was kind of thrilled just looking at the title. That’s because I do have had somewhat similar experiences. I have never analysed my weird experiences. They just happen just like that with out any warning. Shall I say those are warning enough for what’s going to happen? How does one explain the unexplainable?
As Anjan puts it, most or very much real, supernatural, and unnatural or “Just Beyond…" After I started it, I couldn’t put it down. It held my attention till the end. I could relate to some, identify with a few and did not understand the rest.I can believe it when Anjan mentions that these are based on true episodes. There are certain things which do happen are beyond the realms understanding but are true nevertheless.
Let me take the stories one by one.
Homecoming: Life comes full circle, even after death. Power of destruction persists even after several lifetimes.
The
Blooming Buds: Those blooming roses set her free. Free to do what she desires. The roses do not fade just like her feelings. So finally she can……
Maxine from Melmore: Now this story made me uneasy because something like this happened to me some time back. Why? How? I will never find the answers.
The Hand that Rocked the Cradle: this is one of the best stories in this collection. Now who rocked the cradle is debatable. Leaves it open for the readers to speculate….
Clean: Scared the hell out of me! Diabolical!
Pine Tree: A great love story which sustains beyond life!
In Search of the Lost Chord: Did he get it? Why? How?
Bird in Fight: Narration is very good but ending is expected. I salute the eagle!
The Coffee-Maker: A machine behaving erratically only for certain individuals. Kind of let down. But I loved the ending. Very fitting.
Monday Miracle: It has happened to me, though not to this extent. That’s all I can say.
The Influential Confluence: First, loved the title! And Mahesh’s faith and belief is what makes this one stand out.
Animal Instinct: Simply loved this! Maybe the unusual friendship between the boy and the tiger is so endearing! It somehow seems so plausible. How we all love Mowgli!
A Helping Hand: Ready with his help. How? That’s to be read.
The medicine Man: Same as above but is a different story told in entirely different way, in an entirely different situation.
The Voice of the River: Fitting poem for this book, as Anjan himself says.
The Tishomingo Tapestry: Great story in the tapestry! Suspense is sustained till the end!
Swan Song: Teaches us to trust in love or else……
That’s about it all. I have tried not to let out the endings in any story. I do not want to spoil it for any reader. Anjan Ray spins it very well. His narration is too good. You can almost see, feel and smell the places he has described. Be it
So folks, what’s stopping you? Who know “Just Beyond…” might you be there, just beyond...?
(c)gautami.tripathy
Just Beyond: Short Stories
by Anjan Ray. Stellar
Finished reading “Identity” by Milan Kundera some time back. It’s one thin book. What is most interesting about his books is the way in which his characters are so realistic, how much they think, wonder, and speculate about things. Their interplay is very absorbing as can be seen within some of the predisposed dreams of various characters.
Identity is the most important thing for anyone in this in the world. It is what sets us apart from others. It’s our private domain.
In this book, for the two lovers, Chantal and Jean-Marc, their identities are as open as possible but still in their imaginations, they see a different person. Maybe it is the way we see others. Despite being very exposed about our identity to our loved one, we still have certain notions. The person maybe, is an open book but it might not seem so to us. What I like about the book is that the same situation has been told twice in different perspectives. That’s what is very interesting. And after reading it I had a different outlook apart from that of both the perceptions.
Jean-Marc knows that Chantal is his only link to the happiness in this world so he constantly worries about her, wants to make her happy always. He is afraid that she might get away from him. He does not really know her as he feels she isn’t what she seems. He doesn’t want the link between them to be lost. But he doesn’t know how to make her hold on to him. He does what he thinks is right and it kind of drives her away from him. And Chantal is on a look out for the identity of an anonymous admirer who sends her letters. The anonymous admirer keeps on writing about her and not a word about himself. She has this feeling that only he understands her. Not Jean-Marc. Now what happens after that……I can hardly tell it all.
One very important aspect I liked about the book is where Chantal thinks that we are not free from anything. We are constantly being hounded. Even in the womb, we are probed. Even after death, at times burial can’t escape speculations. One can be exhumed and quested upon. Only escape from it all is the crematory fire.
There are other nuggets too…..
