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163 ratings, 3.64 average rating, 19 reviews
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published
January 1st 1998
(first published 1978)
by Penguin Classics
binding
Paperback, 272 pages
isbn
0141180374
(isbn13: 9780141180373)
description
Who is Kalki, and why is he planning to destroy the world -- and everything in it? And if Kalki is a mystical legend, then why does his ultimate world...more
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| topics | replies | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laughing (at the inane greatness of Dr. Ashok and Kalki...I mean Vishnu...I mean Kali) | 1 | 4 | 04/18/2008 10:22AM |
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 190)
Read in September, 2008
Somewhat disappointed by the mediocrity of it all. From the start, the narrator, the heroine, an engineer and aviatrix (herself enthralled with Amelia Earhart), sounds like an idealized (feminine) version of Gore himself. The voice, the word choice, the cool, unapologetic disdain for most things not Gore, etc. Which is fine, brilliantly entertaining while I'm reading his memoirs, but not especially effective if I'm to believe in Teddy's 'reality.' Teddy, to be clear, is Theodora Ottinger, the no...more
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Read in January, 2005
recommends it for:
the Universe
I brought "Kalki" along with me to Thailand and Cambodia because it was small and fit into my bag, but I wish I hadn't because once I began reading I wasn't able to put it down until hours later when it was nearly time for the sun to rise.
"Kalki" is yet another foray into South Asian religion for Vidal and again, much like "Creation" (although this book in no way resembles "Creation") he is able to deftly deal with difficult subjects (Vedic apocaly...more
"Kalki" is yet another foray into South Asian religion for Vidal and again, much like "Creation" (although this book in no way resembles "Creation") he is able to deftly deal with difficult subjects (Vedic apocaly...more
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I picked up a leather-bound edition published by Easton Press many years ago from some random book shop in Chicago. I enjoyed reading Vidal's "Palimpsest" so I wanted to try out one of his novels. I remember picking this up one morning and not putting it down until midnight the same day.
Granted, the premise behind the turn of events in the story are a bit silly and dated... however, Vidal rewards the reader with his clever irony.
Granted, the premise behind the turn of events in the story are a bit silly and dated... however, Vidal rewards the reader with his clever irony.
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Read in December, 2007
This was a book club selection. I read the first 100 pages and then skipped to the final 50 pages after Suzanne filled me in on the rest. While the book itself was easy to read, I found myself unable to really relate to the protagonist. The "end of the world" portion of the book was more interesting to me than the lead up part. Maybe because the characters were being described on a more personal level?
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Read in January, 2007
This story had a lot in common with Atwood's Oryx and Crake, I think. Very concerned with the personality types who favor a scorched earth rather than a perfectible utopian vision. Not that those are the only choices available, but they seem the only choices considered by our characters. Still, quite a good read.
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Read in August, 1980
I thought this end-of-the-world scenario was pretty scary, because Vidal made it entirely believable. I still remember the disclaimer he added at the end: organisms do exist that are capable of accomplishing was was done in this novel, but in the interest of good citizenship he wasn't identifying them.
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
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Read in January, 1991
I learned a lot about religion, mythology, politics, and history from reading this entertaining book. Vidal is a genius, no question about it.
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Read in March, 2008
recommended to Taylor by:
tessa!
i admit i was annoyed with it at first, then it grew on me. very enjoyable. human beings suck hard sometimes.
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Aviatrix, what a lovely word.
Gore Vidal is clearly the less clunky Gore.
Gore Vidal is clearly the less clunky Gore.
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Reading this left quite a memorable impression upon my teenaged mind.
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The protaganist is a bisexual feminist aviator and THE BOOK STILL SUCKS.
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i would like to read this book,but i've no chance to read
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Really really palatable by Vidal's overdone standards.
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Read in January, 2004
Wow! This was an interesting read!
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