Religion

Religion is woven throughout Dan Simmons' horror novel, Song of Kali. As one character says of the majority religion, Hinduism, all things are as aspects of divinity. One cannot separate the sacred from the profane. Everything, even a a relief map meant to teach geography, can turn into an object of cult. The novel describes how sacred cattle routinely cause traffic jams by lying down on main roadways and young girls rush out to anoint themselves with sacred urine, should it become available. Shuddering, Indian-born Amrita Luczak declares this unhygienic and typical of the kinds of things that must change. She is accused of having lost her Indian soul.

Characters belonging to various religions allow narrator Robert C. "Bobby" Luczak to summarize their practices and beliefs. He dwells on colorful and generally well-known aspects, avoiding controversy. Sikhs are known for violence and have done well in police and...