The book titled 'Beyond the Eucalyptus' is the compilation of nine different stories, touching different facets of life. Therein, we not only get a glimpse of life in death or even death in life, but also about relationships, marriage, children and all other simple anxieties, worries and concerns that crowd in, or encroach the panorama of a humanbeing's mind, giving the stories a definite existential trope! These stories, in a wider context, also describe and relate to the utter helplessness of the eternal 'human condition' and all that it stands for! The first eight stories are rooted in the day-to-day struggle of ordinary people, leading simple lives. The world belonging to these stories is very down-to- earth and mundane, where 'life' manages to come through as the main protagonist. The simple characters exist as mere pawns in the hands of a cruel life while going through a gamut of emotions; reacting only to their circumstances and situations. The stories very gently, journey through the hearts of these characters and manage to bring out and, catch and probe, subtle nuances by concentrating on certain moments by trying to delve deeper into a humanbeing's psyche. The ninth story is in three parts, and brings out the eternal struggle going on between man and nature; their inter- dependence and also the innate desire to connect and yet the growing disconnect which leads to distrust and distance on all levels, resulting in total chaos! This happens when the humanbeings, intoxicated with their feeling of superiority over other creatures of this world, become obsessed with their own needs and concerns to the extent of becoming heartless, selfish, indifferent and almost totally inhuman in their treatment of the others, less fortunate! The ultimate break-down in the relationship is bound to occur and bring about a moral loss! In other words, a total disaster.
