Matthew Taylor answers “Does anyone else think Mr. Simmons...”

Gordon Grant asked this question about Song of Kali:

Does anyone else think Mr. Simmons demonstrates a streak of racism in this book? The uniformly vile description of India and all the people he encounters there in contrast to the idyllic visions of Vermont, Colorado and his lovable, New Yorker friend Abe leaves a sour, xenophobic taste in my mouth.

Matthew Taylor It would be similarly presumptive to call Bret Easton Ellis a misogynist on account of American Psycho, which would be to entirely miss the point as a…moreIt would be similarly presumptive to call Bret Easton Ellis a misogynist on account of American Psycho, which would be to entirely miss the point as a critique of misogyny.

The CHARACTER in Song of Kali is presented as xenophobic, he is blunt and caustic towards foreigners, is lost and afraid as a fish out of water. As much as he is revolted by the filth and poverty and maze of back alleys, he is also saved by the same things. A lesson in hubris, and no more racist than say Dickens descriptions of Victorian London.

His publisher also remarks that your own perception of a place can be tainted by associating it with a bad experience. You see it all the time not just with countries …”ill never drive that make of car again after the crash” “i cant drink tequila again after i threw up” “i hate those flowers because they were my ex partners favourite before we seperated” etc..

The message is more that trauma pollutes the mind and the memory.(less)

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