Carrion Comfort Summary & Key Insights

Dan Simmons's Carrion Comfort follows the horrifying saga of three powerful, ancient beings – Howard, Aubrey, and George – who are essentially immortal and manipulate events across millennia to maintain their existence and power. Their "comfort," the title suggests, is derived from consuming the life force of others, a parasitic relationship that fuels their longevity. The novel unfolds primarily through the perspective of several secondary characters caught in their web.

The narrative centers on the three main antagonists, each possessing terrifying psychic abilities. Howard, the oldest and most powerful, acts as a manipulative, almost paternal figure, guiding and controlling the others. Aubrey, a seductive and cunning woman, uses charm and manipulation to achieve their goals. George, the youngest and most volatile, is prone to fits of rage and acts as their enforcer, inflicting brutal violence. Their connection is deeply disturbing, a perverse familial bond rooted in shared immortality and mutual dependence.

Their plans are disrupted by the emergence of a new generation of "sensitives"—individuals with developing psychic abilities—potentially threatening the ancient trio's power. These sensitives become central to the plot, primarily focusing on young Boyd Rice, who discovers his abilities and the terrifying truth about the three elders. Other key characters include his father, who is inexplicably connected to the trio, and various individuals who act as unwitting pawns or unwitting opponents to the entities.

The plot involves intricate schemes spanning decades, with the trio manipulating individuals and events to achieve their aims. The trio’s activities involve manipulating the political landscape, causing accidents, and orchestrating murders—all subtle and effective in maintaining their power and influence. The story unfolds through flashbacks and present-day narratives, revealing the history of the three and their centuries-long scheme.

Carrion Comfort explores several overarching themes. The most prominent is the nature of power and its corrupting influence. The trio’s immense power corrupts their morality entirely, leaving them utterly devoid of empathy or remorse. The novel also tackles the terrifying potential of human psychic abilities and the existential dread of confronting one's own mortality. The inherent conflict between the seemingly unstoppable power of the elders and the emerging resistance of the sensitives highlights the ongoing struggle between good and evil, albeit within a context of deeply unsettling and disturbing supernatural forces. The book ends on a somewhat ambiguous note, leaving the reader to ponder the lasting consequences of the battle and the true extent of the ancient trio's influence.