I came across this novel while browsing the Horror section on Amazon. This is something I do from time to time: I want a new novel, so I just wander aimlessly through genres until something catches my eye. Swan Song was on sale, and even at 99 cents, I was still a bit skeptical. I hadn't heard of the author, the plot sounded a bit The Stand-y, and mentions of a "psychic girl" (which is actually fairly inaccurate) made me rather skeptical. But I bought it anyway.
And oh, wow. I read all 900 pages of this novel in two days. I read a lot of fiction, both as part of my profession and in my personal life. I can't recall the last time I was so engrossed in a novel that I stayed up well past my bedtime just to see what happens next. And when I shambled into work the next day, I immediately (and discreetly) pulled up my Kindle to eagerly finish the book. It is just that good, that engrossing, and that amazing.
And I can't recall ever, in my adult life, being so struck by the horror elements of a novel like this one. From the tense discussions of nuclear war to the failed state scenery of a shambolic NYC, and all throughout McCammon's excellent portrayal of post-nuke America, there are myriad moments of brutality, gore, violence, degradation, and tension. This book does not pull punches; it earns its horror novel categorization, and it does so without being overly gratuitous or a simple bloodbath. The madness and inhumanity portrayed feels and seems real in a horrible way.
Likewise, the moments of hope, optimism, and redemption complement the destruction, and are a bit folksy, but not hokey in the least. The characters are more black and-white than gray in terms of morality and actions, which could be considered a fault of the novel, but this works very well for post-apocalyptic fiction, especially in the hands of a capable author like McCammon. Speaking of his skill as a writer, the prose makes you realize why the man decided his aspirations lay beyond the horror genre, which is often looked down upon as being the purview of "hack" authors. McCammon writes very well, with appropriate metaphors and flourishes to add color, and very clear and creative diction for descriptions and actions.
Dialogue, too, is a strength of his. I've often found Stephen King to be a bit too homespun with some of his characters' words; McCammon knows how to create distinct voices for his characters without going into the realm of cliched archetype. I bring up this King comparison because Swan Song is, obviously, quite similar to The Stand in some ways. I very much enjoyed The Stand, and though I enjoyed Swan Song much more (granted, it's been nearly ten years since I read The Stand), I wouldn't fault anyone for saying they enjoyed the earlier novel more. Reading both is a good use of your time.
Again, I do have to emphasize that this is a true horror novel. There are gruesome deaths, disturbing imageries, painful flashbacks, and hard journeys in store for all of the characters. Nuclear winter is not a hospitable environment; McCannon even goes so far as to (light spoiler) kill some animals whom we all become attached to. I mention all this for two reasons. One: if you're looking for a truly horrifying novel, this is it. Two: A recent review said this is for "all ages." I'd have nightmares for weeks if I read this as a child.
There are two major criticisms I've heard about this novel. One is that the characterizations are a bit too sketchy. I can understand a reader finding fault with some of the rushed love subplots, but since Swan Song is already 900 pages long, I definitely prefer a bit of instalove to a romance novella's worth of lovey dovey. The other criticism revolves around the supernatural elements that go unexplained. Not to be too much of an apologist, but, without giving too much away, this just wasn't on my mind when I was reading. The plot and characters more than compensate for any faults you might with the celestial tinges.
Having read reviews and scoured the internet for more information, I feel like Swan Song is a bit of a cult novel. There are mentions, on Amazon and elsewhere, of people getting tattoos of the books cover, of fan adaptations using characters names, and of top-10 lists with this at the top.
It doesn't make sense to rank a novel like Swan Song against, say, Gatsby or Middlemarch, or Twilight or Harry Potter for that matter, but I will say this. Among post-apocalyptic fiction, Swan Song deserves a place at the top. And among horror novels - which is a much broader and larger category - I really do think it is a top 5. Maybe it hasn't been as influential or well-known as some of the others, but it's definitely an accomplishment of a book. This is everything and more that I could hope for from genre fiction. And had someone told me I was about to take a wicked trip to the dark side, I would have gladly paid full price for this book. So I'm writing this review for you, ambivalent book-lover. Check this one out - then let me know what McCannon novel I should check out next. I just got Boy's Life, which I heard was his best. In any case, Swan Song will stick with me for a long, long time.
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Reviews with images
A Phenomenal Novel!!
This marks my initiation into the realm of Robert McCammon's literary creations. His name and books, Swan Song and Boy's Life, had repeatedly cropped up on Brian Lee Durfee's YouTube channel, which piqued my curiosity. I don't typically gravitate toward post-apocalyptic fantasy novels, but the critical acclaim surrounding Swan Song compelled me to dive in.Undoubtedly, Swan Song is one of those novels that lingers in your thoughts long after you've closed its pages, beckoning you to steal moments for another encounter with its world. The narratives pacing was flawlessly orchestrated, each twist and turn propelling me inexorably forward. The characters, brilliantly conceived and masterfully developed, breathed life into the story, making it an absolute pleasure to traverse their journey!Without question, I wholeheartedly endorse this book to anyone seeking a compelling and thought provoking read. It's easily in my top 10 books read so far in 40+ years.
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