Song of Kali
Chapter Two
Dan Simmons • Song of Kali
A quiet scene on the porch of Amrita and Bobby's home, discussing the trip ahead, on the night before it begins. We get a better sense of Amrita's calm confidence and her history. Ends with a session of them making love. References: * oil sketch by Jamie Wyeth, owned by Amrita. First of nin paintings purchased using her dowryCharacters:* Bobby - 35* Amrita - 31* Amrita's father - owner of angineering firm who moved his company from Delhi to London when Amrita was 7, evidently a prosperous move.* Victoria - named for one of Amrita's earliest memories, of arriving by train to Victoria Station in Bombay
"I decided then that I wanted to live in a country where I would see no ghosts." "I hate to break it to you, kiddo," I said, "but Great Britain and New England are famous for having their share of ghosts." "Perhaps," said Amrita and rose with Victoria secure in her arms. "But I can't see them."
Dan Simmons • Song of Kali
Mr. Chatterjee and Mr. Gupta emerged from the black council room. Flames reflected on Mr. Chatterjee's glasses. Mr. Gupta took a step forward into my pulsing circle of light. His smile was eager and his teeth were long and yellow. "It is settled," he said. "You will receive the manuscript tomorrow. You will be contacted about arrangements."
Dan Simmons • Song of Kali
Chapter Eleven
Dan Simmons • Song of Kali
Amrita never argued with me—although with her training in formal logic I suspect that she could have laid waste to all of my arguments in two minutes—but sometime in early 1976, about the time of our state's primary, Amrita unilaterally went off the pill. It was on January 22, 1977, two days after Jimmy Carter walked back to the White House from
... See moreDan Simmons • Song of Kali
I noticed movement in the shadows. Something was moving stealthily just out of the circle of light. I lifted the candle and watched as a rat the size of a small terrier froze into immobility. Pausing at the edge of the landing, its long tail flicked wetly back and forth across the boards. Feral eyes gleamed at me from the borders of the light. It
... See moreDan Simmons • Song of Kali
I wonder if there is anything to the re-appearance of rats throughout the story? Surely?
"Sets and number theories overlap," said Amrita. I suddenly realized by the tension in her voice that she was very serious. "Geometries don't. Different geometries are based on different theorems, postulate different axioms, and give rise to different realities." "Different realities?" I repeated. "How can you have different realities?" "Perhaps
... See moreDan Simmons • Song of Kali
I read to Victoria every evening, alternating Mother Goose with Wordsworth, Keats, and carefully chosen excerpts from Pound's "Cantos." She showed a preference for Pound.
Dan Simmons • Song of Kali
I need to start reading more challenging fare to my kids!
"There are a lot of children," I said. "And almost none," said Amrita so softly that it was almost a whisper. It took me only a few seconds to realize that she was correct. For most of the youngsters we saw, their childhood was already past them. They faced a future of rearing younger siblings, heavy labor, early marriage, and rearing their own
... See more