Does Kalki dream of virtual cows? (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9798319030757)

Welcome to the end of the world!
In a world devastated by virtual warfare, spirituality has been replaced by technology... and a virtual messianic avatar is humanity's last hope.

Perfect for fans of Black Mirror, Philip K. Dick, and stories that blend philosophical science fiction, this work explores themes like mysticism in post-apocalyptic worlds, reimagined Hindu mythology, and transformation and female empowerment in a universe marked by chaos and decay.

While it presents itself as a futuristic dystopia, this story is deeply rooted in the internal journeys of its characters, especially the protagonist, whose process triggers the empowerment of others.

After a virus transformed a holographic virtual reality into a nightmare, a religion based on reimagined Hindu mythology emerged, centered around Kalki, a virtual messianic avatar designed to lead the world toward redemption. But behind Kalki is Barry Bailey, a Bollywood actor trapped between the induced pleasure of connection with his devotees and the emptiness of a solitary existence when it all ends.

As the world collapses, figures like Carmen Padmini, a devadasi who transforms into the fierce goddess Kali, and Astrid Carol, a manipulative android, challenge notions of redemption and transcendence in dystopian worlds. In this cyberpunk mystical thriller, the struggle for identity, technology, and spirituality intertwines, questioning whether humanity can rebuild itself from its ruins.

The actor who pretends to be the divine Avatar embarks on a vivid journey of disillusionment and revelations. His "awakening" gains an authenticity that, paradoxically, dismantles the entire structure of spiritual beliefs and expectations. But this awakening is not limited to his personal experience: it triggers a chain of empowerment, such as that of Carmen Padmini, a devadasi or sacred prostitute, whose transformation into the fierce goddess Kali symbolizes female empowerment.

Carmen does not become an initiator through mystical rituals but through a violent and forceful shootout. Thus, action dominates this story, simultaneously concealing and revealing the mystical and philosophical aspects that underlie the characters' world. Each decision is imbued with a vitalist dynamism, where spirituality connects directly with matter and action.

In this story, androids and artificial intelligences are portrayed as beings who, while not human, appear to be so through the way they manifest in action. Defining this work as philosophical or mystical science fiction requires nuance, as its philosophy is vitalist, and its spirituality is directly connected to matter, technology, and even psychedelia. Here, everything is experience and action, rather than speculation, making it a unique work within the genre.

If you enjoy stories that fuse philosophy in science fiction, mysticism in post-apocalyptic worlds, and symbolism in a nonlinear narrative filled with dark humor and social critique, this will be a read you won't forget.