Cythera may refer to:
Kythira (/kᵻˈθɪrə/; Greek: Κύθηρα, also transliterated as Cythera, Kythera and Kithira) is an island in Greece lying opposite the south-eastern tip of the Peloponnese peninsula. It is traditionally listed as one of the seven main Ionian Islands, although it is distant from the main group. Administratively, it belongs to the Islands regional unit, which is part of the Attica region (although at large distance from Attica itself).
For many centuries, while naval travel was the only means for transportation, the island possessed a strategic location. From ancient times until the mid 19th century, Kythira was a crossroads of merchants, sailors, and conquerors. As such, it has had a long and varied history and has been influenced by many civilisations and cultures. This is reflected in its architecture (a blend of traditional, Aegean and Venetian elements), as well as the traditions and customs, influenced by centuries of coexistence of the Greek, Venetian, and Ottoman cultures.
Cythera is the fourth novel by British science fiction author Richard Calder, and was first published in 1998. While it is not explicitly advertised as a continuation of Calder's previous novels it does appear to be set in the same universe as his 'Dead...' trilogy, as it references some of the background of the earlier novels and features two supporting characters - Kito and Mosquito - who were introduced in Dead Girls, though knowledge of these novels is not required to understand this stand-alone novel. Due to the timeline given the events of Cythera appear to take place before those of Dead Girls, making this a prequel of sorts.
Richard Calder has said that the inspiration for the novel came from a series of news reports that he heard on the BBC World Service whilst living in Thailand which suggested that England was gripped by hysterical fear that bands of children were committing crime and mayhem and threatening to destroy society as we know it.
Cythera is set in a near future Earth following an unsuccessful Third World Children's Crusade against the West, with children being subject to increasing levels of censorship. Film-maker Flynn has been imprisoned for making the subversive Dahlia Chan films, along with his leading lady Jaruwan. Thanks to the increasing power of the Net sentient 'ghosts' of media images have crossed from Earth 2 to Earth 1, and the novel follows the affair between human Tarquin and Dahlia Chan, their efforts to rescue Jaruwan and their ultimate quest for the freedom of mythical Cythera.
Now I'll take the blame
So forget my name
Just close the blinds
So I can come down
I'm naked and shamed
Moth to the flame
Just take my hand
So we can both drown
I'll never believe in you again
I'll never forgive those things you said
My only relief is gone and dead
I'll never forsake myself again
The same sweet game
Your halo is aflame
Feel my heart race
And breathe a sad sight
Let me wash away
And let go of the pain
Just look away
And turn a blind eye
I'll never believe in you again
I'll never forgive those things you said
My only relief is gone and dead
I'll never forsake myself again
I'll never believe in you again
I'll never forgive those things you said
My only relief is gone and dead
I'll never forsake myself again (again)
So hold me down
If I feed I'm stronger
I don't feel no longer
So hold me down
If I feed I'm stronger
I don't feel no longer
So hold me down
If I feed I'm stronger
I don't feel no longer
I'll never believe in you again
I'll never forgive those things you said
My only relief is gone and dead
I'll never forsake myself again
I'll never believe in you again
I'll never forgive those things you said
My only relief is gone and dead
I'll never forsake myself again(again)
I'll never believe in you again
I'll never forgive those things you said
My only relief is gone and dead