From the Bookshelf of Apocalypse Whenever…

Swan Song

Robert McCammon

Start date: August 1, 2011

Finish date: September 19, 2011

Discussion: AW BOOK CLUB (spoilers)

Discussion leader: Gertie

Why we're reading this: This is an epic book for fans of apocalyptic fiction. The story is very much about Good versus Evil, with…more
[close] This is an epic book for fans of apocalyptic fiction. The story is very much about Good versus Evil, with the occasional mysterious supernatural element, and full of interesting, often eccentric characters - all attempting to survive in the aftermath of a nuclear holocaust.

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What Members Thought

Mar 15, 2010 Kandice rated it liked it

I enjoyed this, and I feel almost bad giving it three stars instead of two, but there were a few things that bugged me enough that I just had to. There has been a nuclear holocaust (seems to be the theme of my reading lately) and we see the aftermath through the eyes of what eventually become two main groups. Simply put, the good guys and the bad guys.

Almost every review I've seen compares this to The Stand by Stephen King and there's a good reason for that. In The Stand it's a disease that brin I enjoyed this, and I feel almost bad giving it three stars instead of two, but there were a few things that bugged me enough that I just had to. There has been a nuclear holocaust (seems to be the theme of my reading lately) and we see the aftermath through the eyes of what eventually become two main groups. Simply put, the good guys and the bad guys.

Almost every review I've seen compares this to The Stand by Stephen King and there's a good reason for that. In The Stand it's a disease that brings about the end of civilization as we know it, but really that's the main difference. I know a lot of fans of this book say the similarities end there because in this the world is decimated. There is little life, no sun, little freshwater, etc. but that isn't belabored. McCammon dwells on these things so little that when the sun comes out at the end I wondered why it was such a big deal until I remembered it had been pretty dark all along.

One of the issues I had with this is just how bad the bad guys are. I mean bat shit crazy, wackadoodle nut jobs. The bad guys almost always are, but there were almost ridiculously so here. In the end, when given a chance to leave, only three men leave the evil camp for the good. Three out of thousands. We're talking universally bad, not just following a leader for food, security, and some semblance of a tribe. Just evil.

Very near the beginning two "magical" pieces are introduced as plot anchors, but by the time the story is finished one is gone with little fanfare and the other has done very little except look pretty and give a few dreams. There is a hint of more power in this particular talisman, but McCammon doesn't explore this. I felt almost as if he were setting the stage for a sequel or follow-up novel.

After griping for the last few paragraphs I feel I need to say I did actually enjoy the novel. It felt clumsy at times and very far-fetched, but it was compelling. I generally have no problem suspending disbelief, but when characters developed growths on their faces I could see where it was going because of the broad brush strokes he used to paint the two opposing sides. When it finally happens it felt almost cheezy, but again, it was still a compelling read.

I think this book was a bit like Hamburger Helper. Is it gourmet or refined? Hell no, but it fills you up and you eat it guiltily despite how bad it is. It eventually satisfies and sometimes that's all we need. Satisfaction. ...more

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Sep 23, 2014 Carl Alves rated it liked it

Swan Song is an epic post-apocalyptic novel similar in certain ways to Stephen King’s The Stand, but certainly not at the same level of awesomeness. The novel starts off with a nuclear holocaust, which wipes everything out. A group of characters who survive the bombings work toward each other all with the purpose of saving a mystical young girl called Swan, protecting her from the Man of Many Faces. McCammon assembles an excellent cast of characters, my favorite being the former professional wre ...more

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Oct 27, 2008 Cameron rated it really liked it

Shelves: post-apocalypse

This is a well-known post apocalypse book that has many similarities to Stephen King's The Stand. After a world-wide nuclear holocaust, good and evil are personified and fight over the fate of the souls of the remaining survivors. You can call them God and the Devil if you want, but McCammon wisely does not make the distinction. It isn't necessary and leaving the line a little blurry makes the book more accessible to a wider group of readers. The book is a large scale epic, not a more focused ch ...more

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Aug 04, 2011 Marian rated it liked it

Shelves: post-apocalypse

A story straight out of the 80's cold war era of the nuclear destruction of earth. Those left alive struggle to remain so and face the age old, "Good vs. Evil" scenarios. Do you choose to help your neighbors or horde your food and clean water. Do you choose love or power? This novel takes you on the long journey with these survivors. Will they live long enough to see the sun again and when the sun rises, what will be revealed? A good read and definitely worth the commitment to get through it. I ...more

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