Questions About Katabasis

by R.F. Kuang (Goodreads Author)

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Katabasis, please sign up.

Answered Questions (8)

Who was Gradus supposed to be? Alice was interested in learning his true identity and what she saw when he exited the story apparently helped her figure it out, but I as a reader couldn't make any connections.

Emily Brown John Gradus is a character in Pale Fire by Vladimir Nabokov. He shot a character (no spoilers!) in the book; he is also a professional assassin. The p…moreJohn Gradus is a character in Pale Fire by Vladimir Nabokov. He shot a character (no spoilers!) in the book; he is also a professional assassin. The protagonists are named Shade, like the characters in Katabasis. Pale Fire is a puzzle itself, with references like Katabasis. Nabakov graduated from Cambridge, which is another reason Gradus could refer to a character from Pale Fire. The narrator of Pale Fire is unreliable and theories that John Shade or his wife or daughter may be the real narrator. This is like Katabasis in that most of the characters, in Hell at least, are fictional.(less)

flag

Do I need prior knowledge to be able to read this book?

Denise Not really. Like you don't have to have in-depth knowledge of the classics or philosophy, but a bit would help I suppose. …moreNot really. Like you don't have to have in-depth knowledge of the classics or philosophy, but a bit would help I suppose. (less)

flag

What was the magic.. pardon "magick" even usefull for in this world? It seems like an obtuse study subject for sounding extremely clever and superior, while the real appication of it is second thought? We get a few things like the endless flask, and a few mentions of Grimes being so great in the War, but other than that it seems like such a waste....

Flighty_Z Yeah, true! Rather than typical fantasy worlds where the world hinges on the magic system, here it seemed similar to people who study Latin or classic…moreYeah, true! Rather than typical fantasy worlds where the world hinges on the magic system, here it seemed similar to people who study Latin or classical studies. I.e. a lot of prestige and renown in certain circles, but not necessarily super practical or utilised fully. I was thinking thats ultimately how it was supposed to come across? I feel it was even eluded to at one point, though I can't recall the quote! Like they weren't harnessing it's true capability or something.(less)

flag

This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)

Monya I think it’s maybe the very essence of Magick and therefore Peter’s spell that made it possible. It’s the very fact of believing in it that makes Magi…moreI think it’s maybe the very essence of Magick and therefore Peter’s spell that made it possible. It’s the very fact of believing in it that makes Magick even possible (that’s how i understood it at least). So maybe Alice managed to scrounge up enough trust and belief in the Paradox the spell is based on in order for it to work?

Also more importantly, a soul isn’t made of our conception of regular physical matter or of a random compilation of atoms stuck together, like the body. I think it probably doesn’t adhere to our understanding of something “ceasing to exist” because we usually refer to or think about matter that’s actually physical and therefore actually able to be reduced down to atoms. However, souls are spiritual. So maybe, it’s impossible for them to actually completely cease to exist. Maybe for souls perished in hell, “ceasing to exist” is simply a transfer to a realm beyond the reach of the regular intended divine intervention and rule. Because if we think about it, how would something that is immaterial even be able to be destroyed? Therefore, how could it just simply stop existing altogether? I’m obviously not sure either and I don’t have enough time right now to properly articulate my answer but I think my point is kinda clear?

So maybe Peter’s soul still existed somewhere on some obscure plain, behind a barrier of what’s known and what’s not, and the spell used by Alice managed to pull it back to hell, exchanging the other soul matter of Grimes for it. The spell didn’t open or portal or something like that, it just exchanged matter for matter.
(less)

flag

Swearing or open door spice?

Brittany There is some swearing. No spice at all, though the occasional lewd joke or comment is made.

flag

Load 3 more questions

Unanswered Questions

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more