Fucking Simmons! He is such a pain in the ass for me.

It seems like he is always hit and miss. One moment, he can be really good and do something amazing that makes me think highly of him. But then, the very next moment, he can screw up big time and disappoint me completely.

I just don't understand why he can't be more consistent. It's so frustrating to deal with someone like him.

I hope he can get his act together and start being more reliable. Otherwise, I don't know how much longer I can put up with his antics.

I read it in two days.

It is an excellent horror story, engaging, disturbing, and terrifying.

It has an incredibly atmospheric setting - Simmons, with concise words, describes Kolkata in a way that chokes one with unease. Kolkata is sticky, hot, and stuffy, saturated with the smell of rotting corpses and garbage.

This is a fascinating and brilliant book.

It keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end, with its vivid descriptions and thrilling plot.

The characters are well-developed and the story twists and turns in unexpected ways.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good horror story or a well-written novel.

It is truly a masterpiece that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.

**Thoroughly Researched**

I have a general liking for Simmons. However, when I picked up this book, I did so with a certain degree of trepidation. This was because of the rather tepid response that I had read in the reviews. Overall, I found that I did like the book. But it must be noted that I brought with me an inherent interest in India and the fascinating theological ideas that have emerged from that region.

As I was reading, I would stop occasionally and conduct research on the various groups or concepts that were mentioned. I found this aspect to be quite interesting as well. The book has been labeled as xenophobic. In a way, I can see where that criticism might come from. It does seem to have an anti-attitude towards this particular form of Kali worship. But when one takes into account the first-person perspective from which the story is told and the horror that the narrator is confronted with, one can only ask, "what would one expect?"

I believe that the author does raise some valid points. And the tension builds up nicely within the setting of Calcutta. In that context, all of the events and circumstances described in the book do indeed seem possible, or perhaps even likely. The author has managed to create a vivid and engaging narrative that keeps the reader hooked from start to finish.

Although Dan Simmons delves into numerous ancient Hindu practices that were outlawed due to the imposition of British humanitarian laws, the reach and central theme of this novel extend far beyond that.

From the vantage point of Indian folklore and myths, he expounds on how the “age of Kali” (metaphorically equivalent to “the era of destruction”) has commenced.

Despite the fact that the book contains some dark and disturbing segments, and the protagonist, Luczak's, views are offensive towards the Hindu religion and Indian culture in its entirety, it was still a captivating read.

The primary reason for this lies in the respect the writer demonstrates towards Hindu beliefs by integrating elements of the folklore into his narrative - the main twist remains undisclosed, which could pique the readers' curiosity and prompt them to contemplate the possibility of supernatural interventions.

As a follower of Hinduism and with a locally named “jagrata” temple of Kali adjacent to the front of our village home, I must confess that I could identify with the atmosphere that Dan Simmons crafted and the horror it might convey.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to those of you who have a general affinity for myths and are intrigued by legends from diverse cultures and religions.

Novel of terror and drama... or drama and terror. I wouldn't know how to define which genre ultimately weighs more.

To start, I must say that I love Simmons' style. I loved Hyperion. However, the plot of this novel leaves a lot to be desired.

The novel tells the story of Robert who is hired to go to the city of Calcutta in search of a famous Indian poet. He undertakes this journey with his wife and newborn daughter, and along the way, he also discovers a series of macabre events surrounding the cult of the goddess Kali that will change his life and that of his family forever.

Simmons' pen here, as in most of his novels, is magnificent. He makes superb descriptions of the city of Calcutta to the point that you feel able to smell, feel, see, and hear the same as the protagonist. Not to mention that there are also parts of the first half that keep you quite hooked and invite you to discover what lies behind the mysterious cult of Kali and the murky destiny of the poet.

However, in the third act, everything declines. Through the reading, the author seemed to be leading us towards a supernatural (Lovecraftian) ending on a grand scale, only to finally give us something completely opposite. It wouldn't be so bad if the book had ended at that point. Nevertheless, Simmons prolongs it, giving us a bunch of reflective and self-pitying chapters of the protagonist blaming himself for what happened.

By the end, the novel seems that it will rise again with a dark search for revenge that could clarify the doubts and loose ends that have made us keep reading until that point... but no. The author finally decides that his protagonist returns home, leaving us with all the question of what was hidden behind the whole affair surrounding Kali.

Really a pity. A novel that had all the elements to be a first-class work but that is ruined by its weak and unnecessary third act.

Only for die-hard fans of this author!

From the inside back cover:

"In a few short years, Dan Simmons has skyrocketed to success with outstanding works in several different genres. Since the publication of his first novel, SONG OF KALI, in 1985, he has achieved remarkable feats. He won the World Fantasy Award for Best Novel for that very book. Then, his best-selling thriller CARRION COMFORT earned him the Bram Stoker Award for Best Horror Novel of the Year from the Horror Writers of America. Moreover, HYPERION brought him a Hugo Award for Best Science Fiction Novel of the Year."

Dan Simmons is truly one of my favorite authors. He is an extraordinary talent. His works span across different genres, each one demonstrating his unique writing style and creative vision. Whether it's the horror in CARRION COMFORT, the science fiction of HYPERION, or the fantasy of SONG OF KALI, he always manages to captivate the readers. I would rate his works with four solid stars, as they have provided me with countless hours of entertainment and literary enjoyment.

Dan Simmons is indeed one of the most talented and accomplished writers of science fiction in the contemporary literary landscape. His Hyperion series is widely regarded as a classic, ingeniously transporting Chaucer's Canterbury Tales into the era of space exploration. Similarly, his Ilium and Olympos stand out as the most captivating portrayal of a post-singular society, intertwined with a retelling of Homer's epic and a tribute to Shakespeare.

With great anticipation, I delved into Simmons' 1985 foray into the horror genre, Song of Kali. The year of its publication is significant as it reveals that the book is a product of its time. On the surface, it seems to have all the elements that would typically pique my interest: a trusted author, a setting in India, a resurrected poet (the allure of zombie poetry!), a healthy dose of gothic dread, a secret death cult, and of course, the backdrop of India. It appeared to be a surefire winner.

However, despite its promising ingredients, I found myself not fully engaging with the book. The main issue, I believe, lies with the narrator. He is presented as a renowned critic of Indian poetry, yet he demonstrates a profound ignorance of the country's customs, culture, language, and history. When in India, he is simply appalled by the foreignness and inscrutability of the locals' actions. Moreover, his attitude towards his wife, Amrita, is deeply concerning. He begs her to accompany him to Calcutta, but once there, he spends the majority of the time trying to force her to leave. She is supposed to be his interpreter, yet is constantly left behind at the hotel. While she has one moment of self-reflection on her dual status as an alien in both the US and her homeland, it is far from enough. By the end of the book, I was left hoping that she would leave the narrator.

In conclusion, I should have loved this book, but unfortunately, I didn't. It didn't quite reach the level of hatred, but it's not a work that will linger in my memory for long. It feels like a tired rehashing of familiar tropes. The discovery of the secret cult of Kali by the American critic, Robert, reminds me of the absurd scene in Indiana Jones & The Temple of Doom. The xenophobic undertones are off-putting and grated on my nerves. Nevertheless, I still hold Simmons in high regard for his contributions to the science fiction genre, but I think I'll steer clear of his older works for the time being.

This is truly one of the most auspicious debuts of any author. Simmons' style was, in fact, largely developed from this very first novel that was published in 1985.

He has continued to hold the title of the best horror writer alive whenever he chooses to pen horror. However, the really horrific aspect about Song of Kali lies in Simmons' devastating descriptions of Calcutta.

It is highly recommended that you approach this novel with little or no prior information about it. This way, you can truly experience its best impact.

By going in blind, you allow the story to unfold and surprise you, drawing you into the terrifying world that Simmons has created.

The lack of preconceived notions will enhance your ability to be fully immersed in the novel and feel the full force of its horror and atmosphere.

So, do yourself a favor and pick up Song of Kali without knowing too much, and prepare to be scared out of your wits.

The Touching Book. Beyond the darkness and horrors of Kolkata, in fact, Kali's song speaks to us. It speaks to us, the people, about the darkness within our souls and the era in which we have been living for a known time.

An era of cruelty, destruction - moral, spiritual, and social, of violence and corruption. Just like Kolkata. Just like every single violent person in the world, with a soul as dreadful as the streets described in this book.

Read it, there is also beauty between its pages. Especially at the end <3.

This book offers a profound exploration of the human condition. It delves into the depths of our inner turmoil and the harsh realities of the world we inhabit. Through the vivid描绘 of Kolkata's streets and the experiences of its people, the author manages to capture the essence of our times.

Despite the darkness and despair that pervade the story, there are glimmers of hope and moments of beauty that shine through. These moments serve as a reminder that even in the midst of chaos and destruction, there is still room for love, kindness, and redemption.

The book challenges us to confront our own demons and to look within ourselves for the strength to overcome them. It encourages us to strive for a better world, a world free from violence and corruption, a world where love and compassion prevail.

In conclusion, this touching book is not just a story about Kolkata or the people who live there. It is a story about us, about our shared humanity, and about the choices we make that shape our lives and the world around us.

Well, this is rather embarrassing. I completed the book just this morning and now I'm feeling completely clueless. I'm not at all certain that I truly 'understood' it.

Husband: Well, did you have a liking for it or not?
Me: I really did like it.
Husband: So, what was the reason for your liking?
Me: I'm not sure.
Husband: What was the book about?
Me: Ummm, it was about evil. And India. There was crime...I think. It also dealt with cultural differences. But there were also likenesses. It's a horror story but, well, not really in the traditional sense.
Husband (with a somewhat sarcastic tone): Well, I'm really looking forward to reading it.

The funny thing is, despite my confusion, I still recommend this book...highly. I think it has a certain allure that makes it worth reading, even if one doesn't fully grasp all of its aspects right away. Maybe upon a second or third reading, more of its depth and meaning will become clear.

"Song of Kali" was an extremely interesting book. Set in the late 1970s in Calcutta, it is a captivating horror story that revolves around the Hindu goddess Kali.

Robert Luczack, who works for Harpers, is dispatched to India to track down the works of a poet who has long been believed to be dead. Luczack and his Indian-born wife journey to Calcutta and encounter far more than they had anticipated. The poet, Das, was thought to have perished over 8 years ago in a mysterious accident. Luczack discovers that the papers are actually the newer works of this supposedly dead poet. This enigma leads him into the darkest recesses of Calcutta as he intersects with a shadowy cult that venerates Kali.

What renders this an interesting tale is that, even after reading it, I remain uncertain whether the events were supernatural or the result of a confluence of circumstances that made them appear so. The rather ambiguous ending didn't entirely satisfy me.

By no means is this a bad story. It is, in fact, a quite good horror story. It is left to the reader to decide whether this is psychological horror or supernatural horror. I liked this book, but not as much as some of his other works. It's not a bad read, especially with Halloween in mind.

After delving into all of Robert McCammon's works, I found myself at a loss for what to read next. Then I thought, why not start exploring the works of another of my favorite authors, Dan Simmons? Having read Summer of Night, The Terror, and Hyperion, I was already a huge fan. In fact, Hyperion alone was enough to make me a die-hard supporter. It's undoubtedly one of the best books I've ever read. If you can handle hard sci-fi, give it a try. And even if you're not sure, still give it a shot.

Now, let's talk about Simmons' debut novel, Song of Kali. Coincidentally, since it's October, I was in the mood for a spooky read, and this book fit the bill perfectly. Despite winning the 1985 World Fantasy Award for best novel, it's well-known as a grisly horror tale. Just what I was looking for!

The story follows the protagonist, Robert Luczak, as he travels to Calcutta, India, to obtain a manuscript and solve a mystery surrounding Bengali Poet M. Das. Rumored to be dead for over a decade, Das has recently resurfaced with a new body of work. Luczak's magazine is eager to get the inside scoop. But from the moment he arrives in Calcutta, something feels off. Everyone he meets behaves strangely, and the closer he gets to the truth, the darker and stranger things become. And bringing his wife and six-month-old child along doesn't help matters. Dark forces seem to be at play, and Robert and his family are in for a hellish time as events spiral out of control.

The writing in Song of Kali is excellent. Simmons has a smooth and highly literate style that really engages the imagination. He effectively builds suspense and tension, which is no easy feat. The atmosphere and sense of dread are palpable, and there are some truly shocking scenes that will make you feel like the walls are closing in. What's also impressive is how Simmons manages to question reality without relying too much on supernatural elements. Whether it's the result of trauma or hardcore drugs, the horror in this book feels real.

The character development in Song of Kali is also good. Each character is realistic and has depth, which adds a sense of authenticity to the narrative. Robert Luczak, the chief protagonist, is an interesting choice. He's far from perfect, often rash, naive, and arrogant. His point of view clouds and misinterprets events, making him an unreliable narrator. But having a main character I didn't necessarily like or agree with was a fascinating experience, especially as the story gets nastier. My favorite character was Krishna, Luczak's guide. He's rough around the edges and mysterious, and the clash of cultures between him and Luczak is really engaging.

Finally, let's talk about the ending. I won't spoil it, but I will say that it left me completely shocked. It's bleak and compelling, and it really sticks with you. I was so impressed with this book that I was tempted to give it five stars. But then I remembered The Terror and Hyperion, which are even better. Still, 4.5 stars rounded up to five is nothing to sneeze at. This is old school horror written by a talented author, and it's a must-read for any fan of the genre. It's also a great gateway into Simmons' work. So, if you're looking for a spooky and engaging read, give Song of Kali a try.

  " I think that there are black holes in reality. Black holes in the human spirit. And actual places where, because of density or misery or sheer human perversity, the fabric of things comes apart and that black core in us swallows all the rest."




4.5⭐'s




  Initial Thoughts





  The Story





  The Writing





  The Characters





   "Are we all illusions? Brief shadows thrown on a white wall for the shallow amusement of bored gods? Is this all?"





  Final Thoughts





   "A man cannot fully live unless he has died at least once."