The Story:
The story is about, Teddy Ottinger, an aviatrix-cum-reporter who is assigned to interview a self-hyped spiritual Hindu leader, Kelly. Kelly happens to be an American ex-army man who ends up becoming a drug dealer before he finally realizes that he is Vishnu’s last avatar, Kalki. After his realization, Kelly settles down in Nepal and proclaims his own arrival to end the current cycle of Existence.
American bureaucrats and politicians are jealous over Kalki’s growing popularity. Since his fan-following spread across the globe like an epidemic he has become a topic of their interest. Politicians and CIA want to tear him down and are trying to unearth his vested interest in playing Kalki. Even the News Channels are after Kalki. In their bid to cash in on Kalki mania, spreading across the globe, they want to interview him and know from him, exactly how and when he plans to end the world.
Teddy is hired to interview Kalki before the next best channels gets him. Apart from it, she is also expected to investigate by herself about the true motive of Kalki.
The story is narrated from Teddy’s perspective – her experience with Kalki, Hindu Religion and End of World act.
The Author:
Gore Vidal, (born October 3, 1925) is a well-known American writer of novels, plays and essays.
My Humble Opinion:
Every book subtly portrays the very nature of the author who has penned it. I have always believed this and that is why I feel Gore Vidal is one of the rare few enlightened authors who truly have the power to bless the millions with their wisdom.
Kalki – The Novel is Vidal’s way of sharing his view on topics such as global politics, overpopulation, birth control, and feminism and above all, Hindu Wisdom.
Vidal weaves s story in a very unconventional pattern. His narration is satirical on purpose, to make you feel at ease while you are reading a book that speaks about the Dooms Day.
Vidal has a knack to say everything without making a statement. That’s the beauty of this novel. Whatever your point of view, the novel won’t entirely contradict it. If you believe in the Hindu Religion, you will find this novel full of wisdom from the Vedas. If you don’t believe, yet the novel gives your view point a justifiable confirmation.
Vidal is not promoting anything to a non-believer. For such a person this is just a work of fiction, a very ingenious one. For a believer, though, this work of fiction can very well compete with the best non-fiction self realization books one can get.