Book Review: SWAN SONG by Robert McCammon

SWAN SONG by Robert McCammon (Gallery Books, November 2009) Paperback, 856 pages. (First published June 1987)

 Synopsis on the Goodreads website . . . . .

“We’re about to cross the point of no return. God help us; we’re flying in the dark and we don’t know where the hell we’re going.”

Facing down an unprecedented malevolent enemy, the government responds with a nuclear attack. America as it was is gone forever, and now every citizen—from the President of the United States to the homeless on the streets of New York City—will fight for survival.

Swan Song is Robert McCammon’s prescient and “shocking” (John Saul) vision of a post- Apocalyptic nation, a grand epic of terror and, ultimately, renewal.

In a wasteland born of rage and fear, populated by monstrous creatures and marauding armies, earth’s last survivors have been drawn into the final battle between good and evil, that will decide the fate of humanity: Sister, who discovers a strange and transformative glass artifact in the destroyed Manhattan streets . . . Joshua Hutchins, the pro wrestler who takes refuge from the nuclear fallout at a Nebraska gas station . . . And Swan, a young girl possessing special powers, who travels alongside Josh to a Missouri town where healing and recovery can begin with Swan’s gifts. But the ancient force behind earth’s devastation is scouring the walking wounded for recruits for its relentless army, beginning with Swan herself. . . .

My Five-Star Review on the Goodreads website . . . . .

    The earmark of a classic lengthy and epic novel is that when you finish you end up disappointed that there isn't more. I don't regret the time it took me to read SWAN SONG, nor can I think of a single chapter or scene that I felt was non-essential to the storyline. I lived with this book and experienced the character development as it progressed. I was touched by this novel. Hats off to McCammon. Much respect and admiration.

     When it comes to post-apocalypse stories there is no shortage of fiction to read. I've read a fair share of them. However, when it comes down to those that stayed with me, moved me, and touched my heart there is a short list. SWAN SONG goes on my short list of epic post-apocalypse novels alongside THE STAND by Stephen King.

NOTES

JANUARY 11: 

     Just started yesterday, and finished Part One. (53 pages in).

Big canvas for McCammon to work with. Sure to be an ensemble piece with fascinating characters. Already enchanted by Swan, with Joshua right behind as my second favorite character.

I've read two works by McCammon before, and both times by the time I reached 25% in I was hooked. As this is an extremely long novel, patience is required. I'm sure it will pay off.

JANUARY 12: 

I've read my share of end-of-the-world,nuclear aftermath novels. But I don't recall this much detail in the descriptions, so much that there are some horrific images planted in my mind now. McCammon doesn't spare anyone. This is graphic and moving.

JANUARY 16:

Now into Part Six. Fascinating characters. This is getting epic. Reminds me of Stephen King's THE STAND in so many ways.

JANUARY 19:

     Sometimes I can't stop reading this. Sometimes I have to step away for a while because the scenes are so intense and dramatic that I need a break/pause. Now reading Part Two at the 57% point in the story. Not sure where this is going or exactly how it will end, but I'm all-in. 

     Many memorable scenes: When Josh and Swan emerge from the cellar beneath the Paw Paw store it's very symbolic of a birth/re-birth scene. Well done. 

     There's also a keen bit of observation and foreshadowing at Page 331, after Josh holds back from squashing a roach:   

   "He listened to the keening of the wind whistling through holes in the walls, and he pondered the thought that there might be something out there in the dark - - God or Devil or something more elemental than either - - that looked at humankind as Josh had viewed the roach - less than intelligent, certainly nasty, but struggling onward on its journey, never giving up, fighting through obstacles or going around them, doing whatever it had to do to survive. . . . And he hoped that if the time ever came for that elemental fist to come crashing down, its wielder might take a moment of pause as well."