The City of Dreadful Night: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The City of Dreadful Night: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

The City of Dreadful Night is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Kipling, Rudyard (1865–1936).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The City of Dreadful Night" by Rudyard Kipling is a novel written in the late 19th century." The work focuses on the complex and often grim realities of Calcutta, inviting readers to explore its various layers, from its bustling life to its darker undercurrents. Through the eyes of an unnamed protagonist, Kipling offers a vivid commentary on the social dynamics, cultural clashes, and moral ambiguities of the city, aimed at both its colonial overseers and the local populace. "The opening of the work sets the scene in Calcutta, capturing the character's arrival and initial impressions as he reflects on the city's contrasting beauty and pervasive despair." The protagonist conveys a sense of lost heritage and isolation, reminiscing about the vibrancy and opportunities of London while acknowledging the grim realities of Calcutta, including its infamous odors and societal tensions. He grapples with the chaotic amalgamation of life and decay that defines the city, highlighting how the harsh environment influences both residency and the actions of its inhabitants. The sense of disillusionment is strong as the protagonist voices a desire for a more profound connection with Calcutta, even as the city's complexities serve as a backdrop rife with challenges.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The City of Dreadful Night
- Author credits: Kipling, Rudyard (1865–1936)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Kolkata (India) -- Social life and customs
Gutenberg collections
- Category: British Literature
- Category: Novels
- Nobel Prizes in Literature
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.


