Up to the Valley and Beyond is a gripping exploration of the depths of human emotion, capturing the complexities of the human psyche within a crime-thriller framework. This novel takes readers on an intense journey through the landscapes of India, shedding light on how its cultural, religious, and caste systems continue to
shape the mindset of its people, despite the rapid passage of time. The narrative unfolds in a world where shadows hold secrets and dreams blur with reality-offering a story waiting to be discovered. Through Its intricately developed characters, tightly woven plot, and a unique storytelling approach, Up to the Valley and Beyond aims to engage readers on both an emotional and intellectual level.
The novel explores what lies within life and its meanings, symbolized by the valley. and what lies beyond it-the peace that follows death, encapsulating its own profound significance. At its core, Up to the Valley and Beyond is not just a tale of life and death, but of passion, love, intrigue, and the timeless quest for truth and Justice.
The novel is divided into 22 meticulously crafted chapters and spans 561 pages. Set against the backdrop of the contemporary global threat of terrorism, the story draws readers Into a world where every moment holds immense weight. Themes of terrorism, love, insecurity, and the quest for justice are seamlessly woven into the narrative, offering a thought-provoking exploration of life’s complexities.
The protagonist, Ijas Muhammed Isham, is born into poverty in a Kerala-Muslim family from Ladheeha, Southern Dharmadam, Kannur District. His character arc follows his transformation from a meek, innocent boy into a petty thief, then a murderer, and ultimately a heartless terrorist. A pivotal element of the story is his relationship with Tharuni, a girl from a well-off Brahmin family who has been his childhood sweetheart. Tharuni’s life, marked by her physical disability, is entwined with Ijas’s journey, and her family’s well-to-do status provides a stark contrast to his own impoverished background.
Ijas’s early years are spent with three close friends-Muzaffar, Hussain, and Lal Munir. Together, they wander the town In search of odd jobs and, at times, resort to stealing food to stave off hunger. Their lives take a dramatic turn when they are noticed by agents of a terrorist group, who force them to join the cause with the promise of financial support for their families. The boys undergo intense training in terrorist camps, where they are groomed to kill for a cause they scarcely understand. Despite the brutality of their training, Ijas is haunted by memories of Tharuni, knowing she is waiting for him, even as he is certain of his own death in pursuit of his objectives.

In a moment of desperation, while at a final camp in Wayanad, Ijas flees the camp and returns to his hometown, where he kills Tharuni, believing her life will be wasted waiting for him. In a burst of rage and resentment, he also murders his father, who had betrayed his family by marrying a second time. After these acts, ljas returns to the camp to complete his mission, which culminates in a terrorist attack. He is later apprehended by the police and imprisoned in the Thalassery Special Central Jail.
As the novel draws to its conclusion, Ijas experiences a moment of strange solace. In prison, he unexpectedly finds solace in the form of affection from the police officer Rakesh Gowda-an experience that offers him a fleeting sense of the lost love of a father. The novel ends poignantly with Ijas’s final days in prison, as he faces the inevitable consequences of his actions. Ultimately, he is executed by hanging at the Kannur Central Jail. In his last moments, as he faces death, he closes his eyes, feeling as though he is once again lying on his mother’s lap, embracing the calmness of a final, peaceful sleep.