Song of Kali by Dan Simmons Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Song of Kali
Book Review: Everyday horror resonant with our own times
Summary: 4 Stars
While there are many insightful criticisms for this book I am stunned by the number of dismissive reviews for this powerful book. It's boring? Hardly. Nothing happens? A lie. No one has even mentioned the cultural aspects of this novel which for me, along with tidbits of Indian history and Indian arts, were the most compelling features of the story. No one has mentioned that although originally published in 1985 the book is set in 1977 which is key to the story and provides a explanation of the mindset (and naiveté as some called it) of the protagonist. I find it alarming that people dismiss this book as "not horror." It is a story that has genuine supernatural elements and has more than a fair share of gore for the readers that crave that kind of thing. So what's the problem? It's not scary enough? A childish complaint. The book is primarily an effectively told and intelligently written story of EVERYDAY horror ACCEPTED AS THE NORM in a culture that is as corrupt as our own United States. I guess most horror readers want only witches, demons, vampires, and all the other derivative clichés of folklore and legend. I think those books need to stop. Who cares? That stuff has all been told a thousand fold. This is a modern day horror novel of a kind of horror that is IGNORED by most people. The negative reviews prove that this book's content is as easily dismissed as an Untouchable is ignored as a non-entity by an Indian Brahman. That's the horror Simmons is telling us about.Book Review: Exceptional supernatural thriller by Dan Simmons
Summary: 4 Stars
Dan Simmons presents Calcutta as a city haunted by its past and present in Song of Kali. Writer Robert Luczak goes to Calcutta on an assignment to retrieve the manuscript of a massive poem written by the legendary Das. Das disappeared nearly a decade ago yet suddenly new works that appear to be his surface. Luczak is also supposed to try and interview the reclusive author while and takes his Indian born wife Amrita as interpreter and their baby Victoria. Luczak discovers that the poem that Das has written is designed for some evil purpose and suddenly finds his family in peril as he tries to uncover the truth of what really happened to Das and what sinister purpose lies beneath the surface of Das' new epic poem.
One of author Dan Simmons' earliest published novels, Song of Kali won the World Fantasy Award when it was published back in 1985. Simmons is an accomplished prose stylist and has written a riveting supernatural thriller. The minor flaw in the book also manages to be a strength as well because the main character of Luczak often has to play the role of idiot when it comes to the mythology that provides the backbone of the novel. Luczak should be better informed about Indian mythology and religious cults and yet has to have things explained to him. As aresult we discover much of what is happening just as Luczak does. This narrative device works pretty well overall increasing our identification with Luczak although there are times when it does stretch credibility.
Unlike some reviewers, I don't feel that the ending is forced at all, overly sentimental or optimistic. It provides a coda that rounds off the story while still keeping the door open about what could happen. There's a sense of unfinished business and doubt about the future of humanity even as Luczak finally finds himself able to live again.
Song of Kali still demonstrates that Simmons is a master of storytelling. It's pretty clear that his skills were continuing to develop with Kali. Kali clearly set the stage for later more masterful works such as his horror thriller Carrion Comfort and even his science fiction masterpiece Hyperion Cantos.
Book Review: Extraordinary Writing.
Summary: 4 Stars
While I cannot say that this was the best book I ever read - I can say that it was very well written, and one of the best. Mr. Simmons had me hooked from the moment I opened the book. As a matter of fact, I stopped reading two other books I was reading to read this book in its entirety. I'm definitely a loyol fan after reading this book. The writing was very unique. I didn't stop reading until the book was over. I will not compare Mr. Simmons with Stephen King. The two writers are stylistically different. Mr. Simmons has earned his Kudo's independently of Stephen King. Mr. Simmons, you are one of the best.
Book Review: Fascinating and repulsive - genuine horror!
Summary: 5 Stars
The author does not only play with his characters but the readers are caught in this sinister atmosphere and the books enigmatic plot as well. There is no dramatic irony, no distance, we have to endure everything just like the protagonist. And we become aware of the terrible fact: it is true - Kali is everywhere, Kali is always. The book is about the immanent desire of man to destroy his own kind, and this is done in most horrorful ways. Repulsive - fascinating - a must!Book Review: Frightening atmosphere
Summary: 4 Stars
Although award-winning, Song of Kali is definitely a B-grade Dan Simmons novel. It does not share the high quality of the Hyperion Cantos or Summer of Night/A Winter Haunting. However, it is still an excellent -- and frightening -- novel. Simmons's outstanding use of a first-person voice and rich and varied description of Calcutta's oppressive climate and population density combine to create a powerful horror story.