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.
Sam Rogers No I don’t think so. He wasn’t talking about India as a whole just that region. Artistic license to describe a place as pure evil so it would work for…moreNo I don’t think so. He wasn’t talking about India as a whole just that region. Artistic license to describe a place as pure evil so it would work for the story. It’s similar to a folk horror story where all the residents of a town or city are “in on it” or in this case at least know about what’s going on behind the scenes. Also in the 70s when this was based on he wasn’t too far off the mark when describing how bad of shape Calcutta was. (less)
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