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The Bridge Builders
Rudyard Kipling
Book Overview:
A tale of the revenge of the earth, in this case, specifically, Mother Gunga, Goddess of the River Ganga, against the men who confine her power, The Bridge Builders is also a tale of the death of the Gods as their place in the earth is taken by the things of science. A close description of the building of a bridge across the River Ganges, the tale also tells of a vision of the Gods in an opium dream like a dream in the mind of Brahma; and when Brahma wakes, the Gods die. Or do they?
A tale of the revenge of the earth, in this case, specifically, Mother Gunga, Goddess of the River Ganga, against the men who confine her power, The Bridge Builders is also a tale of the death of the Gods as their place in the earth is taken by the things of science. A close description of the building of a bridge across the River Ganges, the tale also tells of a vision of the Gods in an opium dream like a dream in the mind of Brahma; and when Brahma wakes, the Gods die. Or do they?
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"No matter, Peroo. Another year thou wilt be able to build a bridge in thine own fashion."
The Lascar grinned. "Then it will not be in this way—with stonework sunk under water, as the Qyetta was sunk. I like sus-sus-pen-sheen bridges that fly from bank to bank with one big step, like a gang-plank. Then no water can hurt. When does the Lord Sahib come to open the bridge?"
"In three months, when the weather is cooler."
"Ho! ho! He is like the Burra Malum. He sleeps below while the work is being done. Then he comes upon the quarter-deck and touches with his finger, and says: 'This is not clean! Dam jibboonwallah!'"
"But the Lord Sahib does not call me a dam jibboonwallah, Peroo."
"No, Sahib; but he does not come on deck till the work . . . Read More
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Community Reviews
Bastante aburrido
“I was troubled for my boats and sheers before the flood came. Now we are in the hands of the Gods."
The story begins by a construction of a bridge. It was rather beautifully written and described. The story morphs into Indian Mythology. It was kind of hard to follow in parts.
Brilliant!!
It is not so common to find stories with the participation of Indian mythology. At least the most popular literature emphasizes the Norse myths, Greeks and long-bearded magicians holding a staff of power.
The tales of the 19th century several times have a different approach: many of them
Well-written, atmospheric story about bridge engineers in India. Towards the end, it becomes rather crazy when the main character (and Kipling too?) takes an opium trip into Indian mythology, which unfortunately spoiled a promising story for me. Traces of Jungle Book are quite prevalent throughout.
An opium dream?
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This review is from: The Bridge Builders (Kindle Edition)
An excellent metaphor for the British colonization of India. If it was an opium dream, then both men had the same dream of the gods of India.
This is a beautifully written story. It starts out with a technical account of the building of a bridge, then evocatively describes the coming of a terrible flood, and ends with a fever dream marked by vivid imagery and sophisticated debate. Read it on a rainy night.
His technical knowledge and descriptions were pretty amazing. I just got lost toward the end and wondered what it meant at the very end. I looked it up, I was very very close. But, all of the Indian religion references were trying (and somewhat confusing)to me.