Song of Kali
"You know nothing. Evil. There is no evil. There is no violence. There is only power. Power is the single, great organizing principle of the universe, Mr. Luczak. Power is the only a priori reality. All violence is an attempt to exercise power. Violence is power. Everything we fear, we fear because some force exerts its power over us. All of us
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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 Seven
Dan Simmons • Song of Kali
Body hunting with Sanjay
Chapter One
Dan Simmons • Song of Kali
Robert “Bobby” C. Luczak meets with Abe (in the “Other Voices” office, a literary specialty magazine), who attempts to dissuade him from a “Harper’s” writing assignment in Calcutta. Abe calls Calcultta a "miasma" and tells Bobby of a bridge dedication with a sacrificed youth impaled on iron reinforcement rods. Bobby ignores the advice.References: * Kipling's "The Bridge Builders" storyCharacters: * Robert C. Luczak - writer going on assignment to Calcutta for Harper's magazine. Has written a novel "Winter Spirits."Amrita - Robert's wife, mathematicianVictoria - their 7-month old daughter* M. Das - a celebrated Bangalore poet/writer who has disappeared, expected murdered, 8 years ago (in July '69). Famous for a Mother Theresa epic. Appears to have resurfaced in Calcultta with some new vulgar lines published ("dame screwing doggie-style while drinking the blood of a headless man" - Abe's retelling). Bobby's assignment is to look for him in Calcultta and ideally bring back more new words.* Chet Morrow - temporary assistant editor at "Harper's" sending Bobby on assignment* Abe Bronstein - cigar chewing owner/editor of "Other Voices." Close friend of Bobby. Live with mom in Bronxtown. Completely dedicated to "Other Voices."
Instead of the usual geometries of electric lights, Calcutta at midnight was ablaze with countless lanterns, open fires, and a strange, soft glow—an almost fungal phosphorescence—that oozed from a thousand unseen sources. Instead of the predictable urban progression of straight lines—streets, highways, parking lots—Calcutta's myriad of fires seemed
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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!
"I agree it's not a very frightening ghost story," she said. "But it frightened me for years. You see, in that second before the moon was obscured, I looked right into the woman's face and I knew very well who she was." Amrita patted the baby's back and looked at me. "It was me."
Dan Simmons • Song of Kali
This would seem to have some forward-leaning import.
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
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I wonder if there is anything to the re-appearance of rats throughout the story? Surely?
Chapter Eight
Dan Simmons • Song of Kali
The sacrifice of M. Das.