Song of Kali by Dan Simmons Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Song of Kali
Book Review: Good, but overhyped.
Summary: 3 Stars
I'll get to the point: the book is good, but not a masterpiece (understandably).
Regardless of what the hype on the back cover claims, this is not the scariest book out there. It's not the goriest, not the most depraved, not the most chilling. It's a fascinating view of a city that the book claims is rotten to the core accompanied by a mildly compelling storyline.
However, the story resolves itself suddenly without a satisfying conclusion or any real explanation of the book's events. It's an entertaining read, but not the 'masterwork' worthy of many re-reads like the 'Hyperion' books (by this author) are.
If you're looking for a horror novel, check out an early-mid Stephen King work. If you're looking for a fantasy (or sci-fi) novel, check Tad Williams, Terry Goodkind, J.R.R. Tolkien, or Ursula K. Leguin.
Book Review: Gosh! The things you have to do to become the poet laureate of the local Kali cult!
Summary: 1 Stars
Working off the sensation fiction tradition exoticized by the likes of Rudyard Kipling (a much greater writer than Dan Simmons), Dan Simmons' novel Song of Kali follows a married couple- the Luczaks- and their infant to Calcutta where they experience a modern version of such tales. The object of the trip is to obtain a new manuscript of an Indian poet named M. Das. The complication is that the poet has long been considered dead- for eight years no less!
The couple arrives in Calcutta and immediately shudders at the horror of it. Their horror doesn't stop at the poverty which surrounds them. Soon they shudder with horror at every Indian they meet. They are introduced to the local Calcutta Writers Union President, Mr. Chatterjee, and Mr. Luczak takes an immediate dislike to him. The Calcutta Writers Union happens to be in possession of the new Das manuscript. They however refuse to allow Mr. Luczak to meet with the author. Naturally Mr. Laczak would wish to do so in order to authenticate the poem.
Frustrated Mr. Luczak, goes back to his hotel, but later that evening, Mr. Luczak is treated to a story about how the poet M. Das has been resurrected by members of the local Kali cult. As the story progresses, the nature of this cult becomes more apparent. This cult is one part Indian, one part Vodoo, and one part followers of Nietzsche. Mr. Simmons concocts this cult by stringing together these different philosophies and appears satisfied with this Frankenstein creation. Unfortunately, much of the horror dissipates because of this creation; it lacks any coherency and consequently plausibility, and will lead any thinking individual to spend more time scratching their head. Furthermore, the cult, which Mr. Simmons uses as a sit in for Indian culture, doesn't seem very Indian at all in the end except in imagery.
After the revelation of the M. Das resurrection twist, which probably should have been saved for later in the narrative (also the only good part of the story), the story treats us to more lengthy images of poverty of Calcutta in case you have missed the point. This is then followed by a conversation where Mr. Simmons establishes that Indian culture is different in kind and not degree from western culture ( the `East is East and West is West' sentiment of Kipling), thus establishing that poverty and suffering has more to do with what one believes than circumstance. Then we get more filler scenes of Indian poverty. And then there are other filler scenes where all that happens in the chapter is that Mr. Luczak walks to M. Das' secret temporary house (in which we are treated to more depictions of poverty). And thus the feeling of horror ceases after the M. Das resurrection twist is revealed as it is followed by long boring descriptive passages. (In my opinion, all of these long passages ought to have been cut out. Having established the idea that where there is poverty there is great Evil, Mr. Simmons is less accomplished in maintaining it (the books prose deteriorates as it goes on). But then if he had cut it out, he would be removing eighty percent of the book!)
All of this then leads to a completely nonsensical ending that gives the book its sensational ending (this is sensation fiction after all), but if the reader really thinks about why any criminal group would use the Luczaks for their purposes when they could use someone with a lower profile than affluent westerners, the reader will immediately see that the ending is unlikely (in fact, it feels unearned). Then the book just sort of shuts down and the last 75 pages are so excruciating, that I had to fight an urge to quit. All of the mysteries remain mysteries- which is o.k. by me. After all, I had long since ceased to care.
All together, I think the book would have been good if it were better developed. I mean if you are going to claim that strange cultures cause evil in the world, why not really dig into it. Why invent a Kali cult. Kali is widely worshipped in Bengal, where the story takes place. Do some research (by the way the Kali in Kali yuga and Kali mata (the goddess) are two different words; also no Indian woman buys saris by the bolt, so a bolt of cloth wouldn't be delivered- more like a bag or if she went nuts in the store a parcel). Look at how they worship her and then draw the connection between culture and poverty (that is if you can). In the end, the novel left me mostly with the impression that it was just a short story stretched with filler images- which is another way to say that the book suffers from poor plotting and development.
Note: this book came out in 1985, a year after the mucho racist film Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. One wonders if this book was inspired by the film?
Book Review: Great atmospheric horror
Summary: 5 Stars
This book takes you on a trip straight into the hellhole that is Calcutta. Although the book has some great supernatural elements (quite reminiscent of Lovecraft), it is the real life occurrences that are most creepy. Simmons depicts the utter depravity and morbidity of Calcutta with such verve, such immediacy, that you feel as if you are with him in the dark alleys and crowded plazas, surround by scarred and diseased beggars and knowing that one more murder in this city wouldn't make one hell of a difference. If you like quick, intense horror then give this book a read.Book Review: Great read, but somewhat disappointing
Summary: 3 Stars
As a huge fan of Dan Simmons, I expected more from this novel. Song Of Kali is definitely a page-turner, but it does not live up to the comments written on the jacket. It's definitely not the scariest book I've ever read. Not even close. "Disturbing" and "depressing" would be better words. It is masterly written and is fascinating from a cultural point of view and for its brave ventures into the human nature and situations few writers dare touch. But, unfortunately, the last 1/4 is a huge disappointment. You keep turning the pages and wondering, "Where is he going with this?" You are eager and impatient to find out what the whole thing was about... but you never do. The author does not reveal some of the most mysterious characters' identities or their motives. Why not, that escapes me. We're simply left with completely wasted 4 final chapters.
If you're a Dan Simmons fan, you have greater chances of enjoying this book. If you aren't, I suggest reading his Hyperion series and Carrion Comfort for starters.
Book Review: Great setting, shaky plot
Summary: 2 Stars
The strength of this book is its stunning power of setting: the misery and festering evil that is this version of Calcutta. The scenes live and breathe and are vicarious fun to drift through - just like a movie.
However, the hero is extremely unlikable, constantly exploding like a five year-old prone to tantrums and impulsive behavior. Also, the plot has real credibility problems. Why did the hero take his wife and baby to such an awful place as Calcutta? He knew he was inconveniencing his wife (a math professor who had work to do), and he also knew that she, while Indian, was not steeped in the right culture to serve as an effective interpreter and guide for him.
Why? Well, obviously to put them in danger as a clumsy plot device. Ultimately, the plot problems capsize the interest of the setting. I wouldn't recommend this one unless you want to try a library copy first.