From here she could see a whole teeming mass…running about the city like ants, all dedicated to the same pointless task. She stepped back. It felt good to escape above, free of the noise… “It’s lovely here,” she said.”
Go now. Find your peace… Let your mind wander. Skim like a dragonfly over the pool of your consciousness and let go… you can quiet your mind.
— R.F. Kuang, Katabasis: A Novel (William Morrow, August 26, 2025)
Notes:
- Caution: By no means are these two passages from this book representative of the story line.
- Philosophy, literary references, Greek mythology, magic, descent into the underworld – – “Katabasis” is a dark academia fantasy, not in my top 10 genres, but I loved this book.
- R.F. Kuang is 29 years old! Georgetown (BA), Cambridge (Masters in Philosophy), Oxford (MSC) and Yale. Brilliant and can write.
- Amazon Best Books of of September. NY Times 5 New Books We Love This Week.
- Reviews:
- NY Times: In ‘Katabasis,’ R.F. Kuang Takes Readers to Hell.
- The Guardian: “Katabasis — a descent into the hellscape of academia.“
“Escape above, free of the noise”
I wonder. If you have to escape…. Were you ever in the right place?
Probably not!
Let me know if you find it! LOL!
Could this possibly be referring to your state of mind, rather than your physical location?
(Paul says as he enters day two of practicing meditation for the first time in a few years. I hope I can stick with it as I look for new ways to cope with the current state of the world. I did it pretty consistently for three years straight and did experience some benefit. Can’t even tell you why I stopped, but I’m trying it again because I need some way to stop my mind from exploding!)
PS: Good to see a post from you, Dave!
PPS: IMHO, I don’t believe there is a “right place” in this imperfect journey we call “life”. For me at least, there is only the never-ending search to maximize “the quality of my life”.
Yes! Agree!
1000% state of mind!
Good luck with the meditation Paul!
‘Skim like a dragonfly over the pool of your consciousness and let go… you can quiet your mind….’such imagery! How can one read this and not feel one’s agita ease?
Laughing. I picked two of the most chill lines out of a 500+ page book. This book is the anti-peace book.
Laughing – wouldn’t have picked up on that at all!
I love you Canada🍁 and job my family support
So glad!
and where is that place ?
I’m looking. And looking.
Ants. Watching ants in my garden is so fascinating. They are not pointless. They are great aerators and balm for a sick crow.
They are!!!
I like the reference to ants as they are delightful study. Ever author must have those who get their writing and I think he found one in you.
Well stated Betty! I agree. Thank you!
Nice