Here's a fine selection of Alexander Raju's stories written over thirty years-ranging between the stories of a tyro giving expression to his idealistic perspective of the world and the society he lives in and intensely feels about, and those of a cynical angry man in quarrel with the world and its ways. They are poles apart also in the sense that the stories do not belong to any particular school: they range from humorous musings on the stupidity of men and women of his social milieu to harsh diatribes against the many evils rampant in his society. The most emotionally appealing are the author's renditions of the plight of the helpless female, sexually exploited by the male-dominated society. They are particularly poignant since they fictionalize not any feminist idea, but everyday reality we witness in our quotidian existence. Despite the universality of their themes, these stories falling under different heads have one binding chord: they relate to the social realities of Kerala, the south Indian state. About the Author: Alexander Raju, an Indian English poet, novelist, short story writer and columnist, has many books to his credit. "Ripples and Pebbles" (1989), "Sprouts of Indignation" (2003) and "Magic Chasm" (2007) are collections of his poems. His first novel "The Haunted Man" came out in 1997 and its second edition in 2009. "Upon This Bank and Shoal," a philosophical novel, came out in 2008. "The Psycho-Social Interface in British Fiction" (2000) is a critical work. "The Voice of Ethiopia and Other Pieces of Literature," an edited work came out in 2008.

Description"Poles Apart" tells the story of how suffering from severe mental health problems since the age of 17 nearly destroyed Michelle. But now, strangely, when she looks back at her life she feels it has made her stronger.It took ten years before she was diagnosed with Bi-polar disorder.Her low episodes were caused by very excessive stress in the workplace as a personal assistant in local government and she had three breakdowns at the ages of 17, 22 and 27. During this last one she threw herself under a train and miraculously survived with no injuries.She was sectioned into a Victorian style mental hospital. This, she says, was sheer hell on earth.'I decided to write my autobiography because I am convinced that there will be a lot of people out there, in this stressful age, who have suffered like me. If one person picks up my book and I give them hope by everything that has happened to me, and how my life is now happy and fulfilled, then I will have a great sense of personal achievement. I would like fellow sufferers who are currently still very ill to see that, even though life seems so bleak at times, things can turn round and you can get better.'About the AuthorAlthough married for 4 years, Michelle was surprised to find herself pregnant. Throughout the whole of the pregnancy she was still very depressed and convinced she was dying and that her body was tricking her into thinking she was pregnant. Nobody knew. Eventually she gave birth to Kirsty, who she calls 'my darling daughter' (now aged 8).This turned her life around for the better: 'Something registered in my sub conscious when I had Kirsty and I stopped thinking I was dying - how could a dying body give birth to a healthy child?'Michelle loved being a mother and says she went a bit high afterwards but leveled off. Sixteen months later she had a second daughter; 'my lovely Lauren' (now aged 6).'I love motherhood and I believe it has been my saviour.'

When Babel Tower Is Falling Down is a domestic novel, from the author of the allegorical novels The Haunted Man (1997) and Upon This Bank and Shoal (2008), which makes us rethink about the beauty of natural human relationships, presently contaminated by the craze for individual freedom. We live in a world in which the voice of modern education has taught us to ignore the sanctity of social life in general and of conjugal life in particular, and compelled us to follow the animal instincts of mere survival. We failed to realize the significance of abstinence, self-control and sacrifice, misunderstood the blessings of rationality, considered sex as a mere biological need and sought the means of selfish opportunism to gain pleasure. We accepted our mental perversions as natural guidelines for a satisfied individual life; and forgot the value of disciplined freedom in the attainment of conjugal bliss and happiness. The conjugal life of Rajesh and his paranoid wife, Geetha, is the pivot around which more than three hundred real or fictitious persons create a social milieu, portraying the agony and misery faced by modern families. If the Tower of Babel was an attempt made by man to reach heaven, the builders had to face physical, emotional and intellectual impediments. Here, the Tower of Babel stands as a symbol of human efforts to attain heavenly conjugal bliss, and Language as the divine gift given to prudent couples, at times, leading individuals to equivocation, to reciprocal understanding or misunderstanding. We live in a world where every individual is aware of the limitations of language. We are confused and we misunderstand each other to ‘the instability of language and undecidability of meaning.’ We ignore the fact that our life and experiences are governed by certain ideologies which are built into our language and, thereby, language is no longer a reliable mode of communication. From the heart of every man and woman comes the deep sigh: “Oh, God! I’m helpless; I can’t communicate with my spouse!” When the partners in family life fail to understand each other’s language, this Babel Tower falls down! Through the nostalgic experiences of the narrator in between two flights from Ethiopia to India and back, the novel brings out certain tragic realities to remind the readers about the very delicate issues akin to successful family life. Alexander Raju’s novel When Babel Tower Is Falling Down is a valuable contribution to Indian English Diasporic Literature.

"Upon This Bank and Shoal," from the author of the much-discussed novel "The Haunted Man" (1997), deals with the perennial theme of the man-woman relationship in a unique manner. Even in the twenty first century one finds the dreamy man in his desperate quest for lost Paradise and the practical woman in her fight against the inevitable smites of fate. From birth to death, every individual passes through the four stages of childhood, youth, middle age and old age, too anxiously trying to find out the mystery of existence before one s birth and after one s death. Being motivated by sexual instinct, man searches for the meaning of immortality and seeks many ways to attain it. Through a number of allegorical events and episodes, the philosophy behind the Biblical story of Adam and Eve is brought to life; and the word Adam is turned into an equivalent for the Indian theological concept of OM, the omnipotent, the omnipresent and the omniscient sound. The fate of man is seriously discussed giving much food for thought, and the underlying dry humor makes this novel an extraordinary experience for every reader. About the Author: Born on April 1st, 1952, Alexander Raju began his career as a freelance journalist as early as 1974, after completing his higher studies in the Universities of Kerala and Saugar, Madhya Pradesh. Touring almost every nook and corner of India, he acquired a firsthand knowledge of the Indian ways of life among various ethnic groups who differed totally in their culture, religion and language. When Sikkim became the twenty-second State of India, he joined the staff of "Sikkim Express" as one of its sub-editors and later became the editor of "Bullet," a newsweekly published from Gangtok. A decade of my wanderings through the length and breadth of India and my not too brief sojourn in the Himalayan Valley gave me an everlasting mine of ideas and a continuous source of inspiration that would last a whole lifespan of a creative writer, says the author. Returning to his native state of Kerala, he worked as a lawyer for a short while. In 1981, he joined the faculty of English at Baselius College, Kottayam, his own alma mater, as a lecturer. Currently he is Professor of English in Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia. Alexander Raju, an Indian English critic, poet, novelist, short story writer and columnist, has many books to his credit. "Ripples and Pebbles" (1989), "Sprouts of Indignation" (2003) and "Magic Chasm" (2007) are collections of his poems. His first novel "The Haunted Man" came out in 1997. "Candles on the Altar" (1985), "Many Faces of Adam" (1991) and "The Sobbing Guitar and Other Stories" (2007) are collections of his short stories. "The Psycho-Social Interface in British Fiction" (2000) is a critical work.

And Still Plays the Abyssinian Damsel on Her Dulcimer is a novel based on Ethiopian history and legends. The story has thirteen chapters representing the thirteen months in the Ethiopian calendar. The narrator, a professor at an Ethiopian University, flies from Mumbai to Addis Ababa, and then to his destination. He is haunted by the Abyssinian damsel whom the English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge saw in a dream and described in his poem “Kubla Khan.” The Abyssinian damsel tells the story of Ethiopia from prehistoric to modern times, revealing herself as one who visited King Solomon together with the Queen of Sheba. The Rift Valley of Ethiopia, where three-million-year-old human fossils have been discovered, is considered the birthplace of Homo sapiens. A myriad of legends like the Serpent Kings and Queen Gudit intertwine with Ethiopia’s history. Reviewing the novel, Barbara Biehler wrote, “A fine writing style and tells a great story.”

Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely; this is true under dictatorship, totalitarianism and fundamentalism, and democracy as well. Slavery, bondage, suppression and discrimination follow when absolute power corrupts. Perhaps, an Abraham Lincoln could legally put an end to the physical slavery, but its manifestation in various other forms related to race, including color and caste, culture, language, religion, nationality and political system remains a threat to man's spirit of freedom. The nineteen month-long Emergency declared in India in 1975 would be relatively an insignificant event in the political history of the world's largest democracy. But, when "The Haunted Man," allegorically presents the agony of the people, gasping for breath under its heavy yoke, the subject gains universality. Through dozens of symbolic episodes and references picked up from the world of literature-scape, Alexander Raju's novel unravels the severity of such physical and psychological suppressions of the helpless masses and, thereby, not only creates awareness among freedom-loving peoples but also tenders a warning to the whole world. About the Author: Born on April 1st, 1952, in Kerala State of India, Alexander Raju studied in St. Peter's Primary School, Vazhoor, St. Paul's High School, Vazhoor, St. Dominic's College, Kanjirappally and Baselius College, Kottayam. He began his career as a freelance journalist as early as 1974, after completing his higher studies in the Universities of Kerala and Saugar, Madhya Pradesh. Touring almost every nook and corner of India, he acquired a firsthand knowledge of the Indian ways of life among various ethnic groups who differed totally in their culture, religion and language. When Sikkim became the twenty-second State of India, he joined the staff of "Sikkim Express" as one of its sub-editors and later became the editor of "Bullet," a newsweekly published from Gangtok. He was one among the three-member team that launched "Dainik Aawaz," the first Nepali News-daily of India. Returning to his native state of Kerala, he worked as a lawyer for a short while. In 1981, he joined the faculty of English at Baselius College, Kottayam, his own alma mater, as a lecturer. Since 1990, he has been serving as a registered Research Guide in Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India. Currently he is Professor of English in Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia. Alexander Raju, an Indian English critic, poet, novelist and short story writer, has many books to his credit. "Ripples and Pebbles" (1989), "Sprouts of Indignation" (2003) and "Magic Chasm" (2007) are collections of his poems. His first novel "The Haunted Man" came out in 1997. "Candles on the Altar" (1985) and "Many Faces of Adam" (1991) are collections of his short stories. "The Psycho-Social Interface in British Fiction" (2000) is a critical work.

ÿWriters Editors Critics (WEC) An International Biannual Refereed Journal of English Languageÿand Literature Volume 7 Number 1 (March 2017) ISSN: 2231 ? 198X RESEARCH PAPERS The Confessional Voice and Rebellious Cry of Kamala Das as Visualized in her Poetical Works: A Brief Analysis - S. Chelliah The Philosopher-Scientist A. P. J. Abdul Kalam and his World View: A Study - J. Pamela Artificial Intelligence and the Instrumental Marvellous in Isaac Asimov?s Foundation Novels - Lekshmi R. Nair Return to Wholeness: The Landscape of Willa Cather?s O Pioneers! - Vikas Bhardwaj Nation and Identity Defined through Bodies: A Study of Bapsi Sidhwa?s Ice Candy Man - Sonia Soni Ramesh K. Srivastava?s ?Under the Lamp?: A Study - Shipra G. Vashishtha Reinventing Roots in Esther David?s Book of Rachel - Giftsy Dorcas E. A Critical Reading of Authentic Existence in Claude Mckay?s Banana Bottom - S. Khethzi Kerena ?Write My Son, Write?: An Aesthetic and Spiritual Reflection of World by K V Dominic - Laxmi R. Chaughaan Nandini?s Sita: A Deep Dive to Every Woman?s Journey - Arti Chandel Lives on Pyre: A Socio-realistic Portrayal in D.C. Chambial?s The Cargoes of the Bleeding Hearts - Parthajit Ghosh& Dr. Madhu Kamra An Evolution of His Demography: A Socio-cultural Flow in the Fictional World of Manoj Das - Suresh Bera & Somali Gupta Maya Angelou?s Shaker, Why Don?t You Sing?: a Paroxysm of Confession - Ishita Pramanik & Dr. Shukla Banerjee REVIEW ARTICLES Eco-critical Perspectives in K. V. Dominic & Pamela Jeyaraju?s (eds.) Environmental Literature: Research Papers and Poems - S. Barathi T. V. Reddy?s Melting Melodies: An Analysis - P. Bayapa Reddy Critical Evaluation of T. V. Reddy?s Melting Melodies - Dwarakanath H. Kabadi BOOK REVIEWS T. V. Reddy?s Golden Veil: A Collection of Poems - Patricia Prime Ramesh K. Srivastava?s My Father?s Bad Boy?An Autobiography - Smita Das O. P. Arora?s Whispers in the Wilderness: A Collection of Poems - Patricia Prime Vijay Kumar Roy?s Realm of Beauty and Truth: A Collection of Poems - Sugandha Agarwal GENERAL ESSAYSÿ Regional Integration in South Asia: A Nepalese Perspective - Shreedhar Gautam Role of Information Library Network (INFLIBNET) in Checking Plagiarism in Indian Universities - P. K. Suresh Kumar Sojourn in Forests - Ramesh Chandra Mukhopadhyaya The Commonplace Economic Thoughts of a Seventy Five Years Old Lady - Mousumi Ghosh INTERVIEW Conversation with Subodh Sarkar - Jaydeep Sarangi SHORT STORIES Perils of Simplicity - Ramesh K. Srivastava The Melody Queen - Jayanti M. Dalal (Trans. Dr. Rajshree Parthivv Trivedi) A Strange Reunion ?- Chandramoni Narayanaswamy Is Human Life Precious than Animal?s? - K. V. Dominic Psychological Effect - Manas Bakshi POEMS Regain the Vision - T. V. Reddy Down the Memory Lane - T. V. Reddy Memories - T. V. Reddy Patiently I Saw - D. C. Chambia

Why do people become divided? What steps can we all take to reduce hostility and bring about understanding? Poles Apart has the answers. In Poles Apart, an expert on polarisation, a behavioural scientist and a professional communicator explain why we are so prone to be drawn into rival, often deeply antagonistic factions. They explore the shaping force of our genetic make-up on our fundamental views and the nature of the influences that family, friends and peers exert. They pinpoint the economic and political triggers that tip people from healthy disagreement to dangerous hostility, and the part played by social media in spreading entrenched opinions. And they help us to understand why outlooks that can seem so bizarre and extreme to us seem so eminently sensible to those who hold them. Above all, they show what practical and effective steps we can all take to narrow divisions, build respect for others, and create a greater degree of common understanding. ____________________________________________________ 'Poles Apart is an extraordinary achievement: fresh, deeply authoritative, and entertaining on every page. Everyone talks about polarisation, but no one does it like Goldsworthy, Osborne, and Chesterfield. You'll finish this book wiser, kinder, and more hopeful than when you started it.' Jamie Susskind, author of Future Politics 'A fascinating and thought-provoking analysis of the divisions between us, how we bridge them, how we reshape the world - and ourselves too. Essential reading.' Cathy Newman, presenter of Channel 4 News and author 'Asks the best question I have ever heard. And, critically, offers solutions. A must read.' Rory Sutherland, Vice Chairman of Ogilvy UK, and author of Alchemy 'Technology may have connected the world, but it's now being exploited to divide and polarise us. This is a pivotal moment for this book to be written, read and understood.' Peter Gabriel, musician

Meera It all started with a kiss,a ferocious kiss that was meant to showcase the upper hand on him but that one kiss changed everything. And just like that I was in love with him. I thought I knew all of him but he proved me wrong. I despise him for his lies and betrayal and for what I had to endure because of him. But I hate myself more for still caring for him, still loving him. Carlino I myself was not proud of what my reality was. I really despise and envied myself for everything I did except for one thing and I would never like to change that. Because of that one particular incident, I was able to cherish the wonderful feeling of falling in love with the most amazing girl I ever met. I don’t blame her for hating me when she found out my facade and now she was gone. But I’ll get her back at any cost and never to lose her.

"You're lucky, being a girl. You can always get au pair work. Or a job in a Polish bakery - apparently they're springing up all over London". Marta grits her teeth and nods. She is used to this now: the assumption that she has come to England to abandon her career and make a fortune changing nappies and cleaning floors. It couldn't be further from the truth. Poles Apart tells the story of an ambitious young graduate from the outskirts of Warsaw who moves to London in search of fresh challenges and the opportunity to make a name for herself. But it's harder than she had anticipated. Her qualifications are unpronounceable - let alone recognisable - and the workplace isn't the only area riddled with prejudice. Marta's new set of 'friends' are quick to turn their backs on the newcomer, as are the men in her life - of which there are many. Based on a true story, Poles Apart is an insightful, funny, cynical look at London life through the eyes of a young migrant. It is a book for anyone who has ever encountered preconceptions or prejudice.