Goldin

To be an impartial adviser, Goldin must sacrifice that which he loves most. The spiritual crisis that this provokes brings him into contact with Mataji, an ancient woman who has incarnated the goddess many times. Mataji's story, a narrative of yearning, desire, sex and bliss which spans 150 years, reveals that she and Goldin are caught up in the same problem. Her gods are Indian, rather than Greco-Roman, but they are equally disturbed by the impact of modernity.

"Goldin" repeatedly explores the granting and choosing of wishes and desires. As one character puts it, ""mortals have built a wish-granting machine of fabulous power, and can force the poor world to yield up whatever they like. But they have not wished well.""