The World Fantasy Award winner by the author of the Hyperion Cantos and Carrion Comfort: An American finds himself encircled by horrors in Calcutta. Praised by Dean Koontz as “the best novel in the genre I can remember,” Song of Kali follows an American magazine editor who journeys to the brutally bleak, poverty-stricken Indian city in search of a manuscript by a mysterious poet—but instead is … manuscript by a mysterious poet—but instead is drawn into an encounter with the cult of Kali, goddess of death.
A chilling voyage into the squalor and violence of the human condition, this novel is considered by many to be the best work by the author of The Terror, who has been showered with accolades, including the Bram Stoker Award, the International Horror Guild Award, and the Hugo Award.
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I enjoyed this glimpse of Calcutta circa 1977. The book paints a grim picture of the city and its denizens, and the tale is quite dark. The path through the story is twisted through dreamscapes, memories, and myth, but it is executed in a way that pulls the reader through–I always wanted to see what would happen next and next and next.
Simmons …
I read this book years ago, but it was really incredible. The atmosphere of dread that built up throughout the story sticks with me still. This is one of the best horror books I’ve ever read and I highly recommend it.
Dan Simmons is one of my favorite authors – loved everything I’ve read by him.
At times read like a text book
It is original, but s-l-o-w. I didn’t finish. When I fall asleep holding a book twice, I figure it isn’t for me. There were a lot of good reviews, but it didn’t hold my attention.
Simply amazing
Tremendous potential, very atmospheric. Held back by unlikable main character and ending is very flat. Could have been amazing.
Song of Kali would get 4 stars for me if it weren’t for the beginning that dragged on and on and on. The first 60% of the book was boring and the pacing was terrible compared to the third act when things finally get good. I came very close to putting the book down and not finishing it, but I am ultimately glad I kept going. One section has a man …
Includes one of the most disturbing concepts for drug smuggling I’ve ever read. Brings ancient evils to life in modern day India!
It was very interesting and painted a very clear picture and I absolutely wanted to know “what’s going to happen next” every step of the way. I did get a tiny bit lost in the names of the side characters and was not entirely sure who was who in a couple of spots, but I think that was my failing, not the author’s.
Very different read for me. I enjoyed the narrative descriptions of Calcutta. The “poetry” was interesting and the twists and turns kept me interested.
I read this book as a result of a review that spoke of how terrifically terrifying this is. This is more of an old school psychological story that builds as the story goes on. Seriously a must read for anyone who wants to understand fear.
I always enjoy his books. This was a good read
Great story weaving! Very dark and haunting, but a very good read!
Very interesting journey. You never know where your going to end up until the end!
I didn’t finish it because it was quite boring.
Interested me enough to find out what happened in the end.
This book had great reviews but I was so bored that I finally just gave up.
Dan Simmons can do no wrong