Song of Kali

After years of hearing about how amazing this book was, I finally got a chance to read it in 2022 and was a bit underwhelmed. On the positive side, it does create a very ominous atmosphere and there is a truly horrific climax that I think still packs a punch. I also liked the "Song of Kali" theme and the ultimate ending (which I don't want to spoil). I also liked the ambiguity of some of the story's elements (I have my own theories, but it's fun to know that other readers will have their own takes). On the negative side, one could argue that the novel is highly xenophobic (everyone in Calcutta ranges from unhelpful to truly evil), and the protagonist himself isn't the most sympathetic person, and doesn't seem to change even after everything that's transpired. Still, it's worth a read as it is a great example of the genre.

Somewhat plodding story with a decent enough story, with characters that you felt you couldn’t invest your time in.Being in India the story is extremely believable…it seems this country has festivals for everything….but it just went on…and on…and on…One of the few books by Dan Simmons that I haven’t given a 5 star.

I liked this book, but I found myself kind of skipping over some of the dark descriptions of Calcutta. I have liked all of Dan Simmon's books that I've read, and this is no exception. I wish people were more careful about what they write in their reviews though, or clearly note that there are spoilers within. I read reviews prior to purchasing a book to get opinions on what others liked or didn't like about a book. One of the reviews on here stated an event that happens toward the end of the book that kind of ruined part of the ending for me. All in all I liked this book, but not as much as some of his previous novels. I really liked The Terror and The Seasons of Horror books, as well as The Fifth Heart. I'm not a big fan of science fiction so I have not ventured down that literary path with Mr. Simmons. Again though folks, please be careful what you write in your reviews or make a clear note that there are spoilers within.

When this book arrived I sat down to read just the first chapter... that quickly turned into reading the whole book in one sitting. It was absolutely thrilling. Even though I could see the event that happens at the end coming from a mile away, the journey to getting there was exciting. The characters were rich - I particularly thought Krishna was a well-written figure - and the mystery was fun.

Solid story which is cementing my love for Simmons as a writer. Requisite horror with a couple of surprises.I disliked two things.1) Gollancz are a huge publisher, but they can't get the formatting right for a major book like this? And punctuation errors everywhere, missing paragraph break, plus a whole chunk of text that seemed to have been transplanted from elsewhere and turned the paragraph it was in to nonsense. Professional publishing?2) Simmons' overuse of the word moist. 26 times. I reckon you get one use of that word in a book. After that it becomes noticeable and uncomfortable.Still. The story held me till the end.

As an avid reader of horror, fantasy and science fiction, I like to think that I'm immune to any lasting effects from the frightening images that emerge from those dark places within the minds of our best contemporary authors. Most of the time my reaction is, "Been there ... done that ... NEXT!". But last night I finished reading SONG OF KALI by Dan Simmons. And I fear that the images he conjures will be with me for a very long time to come.This horrible/delightful/remarkable book works on your psyche on two levels: it attacks your senses by describing, in graphic detail, the mundane, "real world" horrors that exist just beyond the field of awareness for most Westerners living in affluent, post-industrialized "societies"; but worse yet, it open up that dark place so deeply imbedded within our basal ganglia that it can only be assumed to be the most primal and ancient of human nerve centers. It triggers an autonomic recoil from the pure darkness, cold malevolence, and absolute EVIL that surrounds us. We begin, innocently enough on the first level, following our protagonist's journey to solve a mystery ... and then slowly ... methodically ... step by step and with our guard down ... we are led blindly into reeking depths of the primordial abyss. I've never been to Calcutta. But, like many other Americans, I have traveled to a number of other "Third World" settings, both in groups and as a individual. I never cease to be appalled at the the arrogance and materialistic ego-centricity of too many American travelers who fail to respect or even try to fathom other cultures, unfamiliar traditions, and those painful economic realities suffered by much of the REST of the world. Simmons captures the naive, and distinctly American, arrogance of his protagonist (Robert Luczak) remarkably well. But then he takes it one step further. He rolls Luczak's arrogance in broken glass and shoves it right down his throat.I like to think of myself as a savvy reader. Most of the time, I can sense where a story is heading before it actually takes me there. All the way through the first three quarters of SONG OF KALI, I was pretty certain I knew where the author was leading me. I expected the expected. I was anticipating the cliché. But the sheer horror of that final twist of the literary knife-in-the-gut left me utterly speechless, with my heart a-pounding and my mouth hanging open like a drooling simpleton. I simply could not believe that I didn't see this coming! I was caught so completely off guard that I actually had to back up and re-read that section several times, just to be certain that I was really reading what I thought I was reading. What an ending! My congratulations to Dan Simmons for writing such a dark masterpiece. I wonder, what deep, dark recess in your mind did you have to tap to dredge up something so completely unfathomable? What nightmares you must suffer.

This book is probably on the banned list with the India Tourist Board. It paints a shocking picture of the city as hell on earth.The story of an innocent and idealistic American abroad getting embroiled with savage evil foreigners when all he’s trying to do is help them has been a mainstay of US literature for decades. At least the Brits’ motives for getting involved in India were genuine greed and bullying.This one has some gruesome twists and is engaging if rather silly in places. For some reason the millennial couple at the centre of the story have been transported back to the 1970s where the action takes place. Is this because cellphones destroy 90% of all great mystery/suspense/thriller storylines?It rather puts me off reading any of the author’s historical novels, but I’ll certainly read more of the horror mysteries. Great monster!

What a load of &£#@. The story starts off quite intriguing and builds some tension around the idea of a cult trying to ressurect a goddess and then quickly changes to a kidnapping mystery involving smuggled goods. You never find out who certain characters are or if the goddess exists and you are left extremely disappointed. It's almost like the author got bored and just came up with an ending to finish the book off.Don 't waste your time with this, it's not scary, it's not very interesting, and the ending makes no sense. Very boring

Song of Kali works on many levels. As a horror tale, the story has several jolting and claustrophobic scenes that rank amongst the most powerful moments of drama I have read. There are few traditionally scary moments, rather the power of the book lies in its heavy sense of dread. As a study of place, the setting of a grim version of Calcutta (as was) is perfectly rendered. The characters too are exceptionally well drawn through their dialogue, and every one of them seems all too real. As a work of literary horror it's hard to find fault. Maybe it could have lost some of the build up and chasing scenes which lessened the impact just a little, but that's a minor criticism.

Originally published in 1985, winner of the 1986 World Fantasy Award, and the only Dan Simmons novel I hadn't read.This is old style horror written with literary skill and a great sense of plotting. It's slow to build and fascinating to read. Robert Luzcak, writer/journalist, is driven to the point of insanity as he becomes involved with the darkly beating heart of the mysterious Calcutta. On his journey to discover the works of a dead poet, M. Das, Luzcak becomes embroiled in a series of twists and turns forcing him deeper into a mysterious journey involving the Goddess Kali, ancient ritual, the living dead, disease and esoteric writings. Calcutta is the monster at the heart of the story. Everything springs from her and she's in no rush to forgive. Add the collision of two very different cultures, a great sense of insanity v reality played out against a beautifully drawn background - you're in for a treat.Because 'Song of Kali' hails from the 1980s, and Calcutta lies mostly hidden under modern development, there are times when some themes and attitudes become old fashioned. Don't let that put you off. Be prepared to let go and go with it. I'd recommend this novel to any fan of horror fiction looking for something outside of the current crop of contemporary writers. Well worth a download.

When published American poet Robert Luczack accepts an assignment from Tattler magazine to travel to Calcutta to investigate the authenticity of poems by an Indian poet, M Das, thought deceased eight years ago, he doesn't realise how he is being drawn close to a dangerous and horrifying cult sect of worshippers of the goddess Kali.Simmons uses the intimidating aspects of the busy city of Calcutta in the mid 70s to give this book a malevolent air and is not original in the use of Kali as an evil entity (think Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom).I think he may have alienated many Calcuttians after he executed this horror read in his portrayal of the city and its inhabitants. However, you have to bear in mind he wrote this in 1985 about being in Calcutta in 1977. Things change and with time more is understood and accepted about other cultures on the whole.As a horror read though, this one will definitely give you nightmares as the perceived terrible goddess seeps into your subconscious.