A vision that can go far beyond the imagination of the ordinary is what fascinates both a listener and a reader instantly. The combination of the correct elements creates a work that can be long remembered and read again and again. An example of one such exciting amalgamation is Ajay Menon. A’s novel, “Aftermath: The Purpose and Conflict.” Through his work, the author takes the readers into a universe that is both far from exploration and even imagination. This becomes the critical factor that makes his work an instant attraction for all the readers in an effortless manner in no time.
From the beginning, Ajay Menon has the readers in the hold of “Aftermath” when they lay their eyes on the book cover. They see a cover that seems to be an incarnation of the dystopian era where there is both chaos and madness, and yet the presence of one human highlight the importance of humans in both being the reason for the creation of the dystopian world and also having the power to take control and get everything in order. The readers are well aware and acquainted by now with what will follow later would undoubtedly be far away from utopian. The next attraction of the work is the careful placing of the timeline that the author follows throughout the book. Every chapter and every event is carefully divided and placed as per the requirements of the plot construction and makes the book one of its kind, which would keep the reader glued from the very first page of the book. At the same time, the author creates an air of mystery that surrounds his characters from the beginning till the time circumstances do not reveal the many questions readers have as they read through “Aftermath.”
The author places the book in a future far beyond the present time. But it is interesting to see how the author draws parallels with the present world and the world of the future. The attention to detail makes the readers connect with the universe that the author creates, and they are able to identify with his vision and also comprehend the plot, which features the technological developments of the future and how they have been both a boon and bane for human beings. These are the other few factors that work in favor of making the book a novel that captivates the readers and plays with their imagination to optimum levels. In addition to showing the technological developments, the author also explores the relationship of human beings with the environment and how both have impacted each other.
One fact that the author underlines without any scruples is regarding human nature. He shows how human nature never changes, and they would keep striving for what they need and would cross any boundaries for that. This makes “Aftermath” by Ajay Menon universal in nature and brings it closer to the readers. They agree that how much ever time changes or whatever generation appears on earth in whatever number of years, the nature of humans would not change; their motivation may vary, but their nature and reasons to do any act would not. When the readers of the year 2122 would read Menon’s work, they would understand the vision of the author and also find contemporary references like the infamous pandemic. In this manner, it would not be wrong to call the work a document of the present that records the events in reference to the future.
“Aftermath” is created on the canvas, which features the events happening in the future where a social institution like marriage has assumed a different meaning. The characters look back, and by making them his mouthpiece, the author shares his idea about the way things would alter to a different normal in the future. He shows these in the midst of a plot which he constructs with patience by keeping the chapters brief and avoiding too many details. This helps the readers in having clarity of the world that he creates. Due to this, the readers are able to read through the book without paying attention to the length or whatever number of chapters the author keeps. Simultaneously, the manner in which the author tickles the imagination of the readers makes “Aftermath” a book that can be recited to young story listeners. Reciting the book would not only trigger their creativity but also broaden their abilities to think at a young age.
The fact that the novel is both dystopian and futuristic with elements of science fiction makes the book multi-dimensional and open to readings from different perspectives. Therefore, the readers should not have any thoughts before picking up “Aftermath” and finding the purpose and conflict that operates in the book as a whole.
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