Swan Song

Rating:
Summary: Best Book I Ever Read
Review: This was probably the best book I ever read. Robert McCammon's post apoycolyptic world is not only vividly painted by the way he writes, it's a nightmarish ride through a hell that could one day exist. I had a real hard time putting it down. For those wondering about the 900+ pages hitting any dead spots the answer is no. This was the first book by Robert McCammon that I read and I have read everything else since. I wish there was A sequal.
[e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: First Rate ~ Highly Recommended
Review: My husband and I are huge fans of the horror and thriller genre and I read this book on his recommendation. I was not disappointed. Swan Song has the most evocative descriptions of the horrors of nuclear war and the nightmarish aftermath I have ever read. The incredible imagery carries the story over the few rough spots where the dialogue gets a little forced and thin. The story sweeps you along from beginning to bizarre ending and leaves you wanting more.

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining Page Turner
Review: I wanted to give this book a 3 and a half star rating but there wasn't one. I would consider this book leaning a little more toward fantasy than horror. If I wanted to read a great piece of literature this wouldn't be the book. However, as a suspenseful sci-fi novel (which is what it is) well, it's really not too bad. It's an easy read that you can take on an airplane to quickly pass the time. Of course, there are many aspects of this novel that are outrageous and unbelievable, but that is what makes Swan Song a fun read.

Rating:
Summary: What a surprise!
Review: I've never written a review in Amazon - but I bought this book on the recommendation of other buyers/reviewers on this site, and I'm so grateful! What a neat book... so much better than The Stand, absolutely able to hold its own in any book category - great writing. Why did The Stand get so much press, and Swan Song, far superior, get so little? (rhetorical question - already know the answer!!) Also - does anyone other than me think that this should be classified under something rather than "horror"? Yes, there are horrible scenes, but this book is NOT about that.

Get this book - it will stick with you!!

Rating:
Summary: Beauty and the Beast
Review: A mesmerizing, dizzying tale of nuclear holocaust and the aftermath. The plot concerns a band of stragglers and their travails. There are tales of good and evil but the star of the story is Swan, a young girl who undergoes a metamorphosis into something wondrous and magical.

She enlists on the side of good as they battle the remaining evil in the world. The ending with the President and the doomsday machine was a tour-de-force. As other readers have said this is one book that is hard to put down once you start.

Rating:
Summary: Going out on a limb here
Review: I went through the reviews just to look at the two- and three-star comments. They all say the same thing: Rip off of "The Stand." This is not a rip-off, but an improvement of "The Stand." It goes places that King's novel doesn't, and is much more believable and frightening (this from a self-proclaimed King-nut). Certain scenes from "Swan" stay with you...the tunnel scene, the escape from K-Mart, PawPaw's message, the escape from the highway in the truck, the attack on Mary's Rest. Not only will you love this novel, you will be ready to read it over and over...something I can't say about "The Stand." The characters are much more believable and visceral. I can't say enough about this book. One of the best I've read...period.

Rating:
Summary: Never a more detailed story full of lively characters
Review: I read this book back in 1988 while still a teenager, fearing nuclear holocaust, no less. Although the perceived fear is gone (or not as seemingly eminent) the memory of this books lessons and characters is not. I don't know why, but I still remember nearly every detail of this book. I accredite it to a good read from a great writer.

Rating:
Summary: Have I got a book for you!!
Review: I read this book years ago, as a Stephen King fanatic who thought it did not get any better than "The Stand." My apologies to Mr. McCammon, who I am sure is sick of hearing the comparison's, but with the good vs evil at the end of the world theme, it's unavoidable. However, having read both, more than once, I can say that the characters in Swan Song have remained with me as intimate friends who I recall not only by name, but by face. Sister Creep, Sue Wanda (better known as Swan) Josh, Roland, the Colonal, Alvin (Who can forget Alvin? BLUE LIGHT SPECIAL!! RUN!!!!), they all remain long after the book has been shelved. If you like epic stories, believe in good vs. evil (the scene in the burning theater still gives me chills when I recall it) and dont mind sleeping with the lights on, this book is for you! I HIGHLY reccomend it. Bob McCammon is a wonderful storyteller, and his character developement is nothing short of spectacular. ENJOY!

Rating:
Summary: Epic Horror!!!
Review: I have read and heard so many comparisons between this novel and Stephen King's "The Stand," that I simply had to put my 2 cents in. This book completely destroys "The Stand," which is the most overrated King novel out there. King's best work is "It" or "Pet Semetary," not the pro-American/pro-Christian commercialized slop that is "The Stand." "Swan Song" is loaded with memorable characters, quotable dialogue (my friends who have read this book would agree, quoting verbatim), and an episodic tale of good versus evil. This book was, at the time, the longest read of my life, but I blazed through it absolutely enthralled. It does seem a bit out of place these days without the Cold War tension of the 1980s; but besides that minor, dated feel, this novel shines.

Rating:
Summary: The best book I have ever read
Review: Most of the United States is wiped out after a nucleur holocaust. The Devil aka "Man With The Scarlet Eye" sees this as his opportunity to take over the world. However, there is a special girl named Swan with extraordinary powers that is standing in his way. "Swan Song" takes the reader on a ten year journey that follows the war of Swan and others around her, fighting against the Devil and his followers.

The first thing that I would like to get out of the way is that I absolutely hate to read. However, a friend of mine told me how great this book was, so I decided to come on Amazon to check out what others thought of it. I was amazed when I discovered that it received nothing but 5 star reviews. To put all that positive feedback to the test, I decided to give in and read the book. The book is over 950 pages long and I read it in just over two days. I was spellbound with just how great this book was. "Swan Song" is the only book that I have ever read, that I wanted to read more than once. The different settings, the outstanding characters, and the overall suspense and terror make it an epic masterpiece. The book reads at an extremely fast pace and the 956 pages fly by. This is one of the rare occasions that you end up begging for more after a novel of that size. The different settings that McCammon illustrates are incredible. All add a background of suspense, courage, love, and terror. The size of the story is great because it spawns over 10 years, and you get to see the characters develop not only in age, but in personality as well.

McCammon has the story unfold like a chess match between The Devil and God. They each have their respective pieces, and the board is the United States. God's main pieces are Swan, a courageous bag lady named Sister Creep, and a professional wrestler named Josh. Swan is amazing with her display of power and love. Sister Creep is the story's main hero with her courage and determination to never give up. Josh survives with Swan and becomes her guardian. The love that he shows for Swan never dies, and he posseses super human strength and a big heart. The Devil's main pieces are - the psychotic Army Col Macklin and his protege' Roland Kroniger. Macklin and Roland are the two lone survivors of an underground army camp. Macklin takes Roland under his wing, and the two fight to build an army based society with them giving the orders. The Devil himself is a great character who will terrify you with his actions and array of different powers. The book offers many other memorable characters that all possess cetain strengths and different personalities that make them all enjoyable.

So take it from a guy who hates to read. If I was able to make my way through this book and love every minute of it, anyone can. Many readers become hesitant to take on a book of this size or magnitude. Don't be, because it will be the best time that you ever spend on a novel.