The novel is a fictional exploration of the concept of life after death. Its main character vividly remembers the end of one life and the beginning of another. The novelist reinforces the other-worldly dimension of the novel by drawing liberally from the writings of religious scholars of different persuasions.
It is replete with tragic characters. Indeed, it is as though a set of tragic characters had set out in search of an author, and they found Punathil Kunhabdulla, who agreed to tell their story in the form of a novel.
In his narration, the story, which spans a century or more, occasionally acquires the quality of a delightful fable. Many developments from the pre-World War migration to Myanmar in search of fortune to the current globalisation process come up for mention in the book. However, the author does not quite succeed in the attempt to relate the story to the social and economic changes of the time.
Kunhabdulla's skill as a novelist comes into full play in the delineation of Moosamen, the most colourful and longest running character. He is a man with incredible zest for life, and the author traces his life from womb to tomb. While in his mother's womb he engages her in a conversation on momentous issues of life and death.
The devout mother tells him that God is love. Growing up in affluent circumstances, he has innumerable opportunities to lead an indulgent life. But he is able to come to terms with himself only when he withdraws into a shell in the company of an unsophisticated woman.