Swan Song by Robert McCammon buddy read (Spoiler Warnings.)

[Latasha]

Idk what mine would be. I usually don't watch them, it's just not my cup of tea. And I'll just tell you right now, when/if we (humanity) are ever in that suituation, I'll kill myself. There is no way in hell I want to live in that setting- example- when Shelia enters the scene.

[Latasha]

ok, I'm up to chapter 47 and I really like this book. damn, it gets intense! it will be soup weather soon so the next time I make beef stew, I'm going to tell my family it's asshole stew. actually, I think that's what I will call beef stew from now on. these are my notes I jotted down so I'm gonna be all over the place. listening to this book makes me want to pack some type of survivor kit with water, canned food & meats, waterproof matches, etc. my notes up to chapter 47...
(view spoiler)[ I have no idea how Roland did not see that one coming!- when the fat man wanted to make a deal. I had his name wrote down but I lost that note. I wonder how young exactly did he like his boys? well, he was taken care of. I hated to see Lorona go. but I was hoping those crazies would run off and they could keep k-mart :( I think that's all of my notes. (hide spoiler)]
like I said earlier, I'm not much for this kind of read, setting, etc. but I'm glad I joined this buddy read.

[Jonathan]

I am glad you joined this buddy read too Latasha. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the book.

[[deleted user]]

Up to chapter 7 (view spoiler)[ Does anyone else see a similarity to the stand? Already I can tell who will be good, & who will be bad (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Ange]

I recently watched the post apocalyptic movie Snowpiercer with Chris Evans. Was really weird but I kinda liked it. Loved Mad Max Fury and the Matrix was my fav movies for a long time.

Walking dead is my favourite TV show Im up to vol 23 on the comics and havent started Fear the Walking Dead yet, stoked a fellow kiwi has a big role in it Cliff Curtis.

Im up to chapter 13 and am loving it, all the characters are interesting and I stayed up to 2am reading last night! Agree D.M. definately can see who the good guys and bad guys are

[Charles]

MAD MAX BEYOND THUNDERDOME is not just action but philosophical. It dares to throw out ideas for viewers with brains as well as those seeking fast-moving thrills.

In my view, this is the best one by far.

A good one from the 1950s is WORLD WITHOUT END. THE TIME TRAVELERS from the 1960s is not bad.

[Mehmet]

Chapter 11 (view spoiler)[this chapter with the president in the plane was brilliant, I was literally riveted to my seat while reading. The description of the nuclear attack was vividly described. I found it amazing.<\spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

[Michael]

I loved this book. I read it just after it came out and it's scary how long ago that was!

[Randy]

Ange wrote: "I recently watched the post apocalyptic movie Snowpiercer..."

Visually and emotionally, a stunning movie. But far removed from any kind of reality.

[Latasha]

I'm on chapter 64. I've been listening at work but now I'm off til Tuesday and I'm really thinking about buying the e-book. I gotta be doing something while listening to an audiobook. damn, this book is intense! I like it so much more than I thought I would. the only other Robert mccammon book I've listened to was Speaks the Nightbird but I like this one way more.

[Jason]

****SPOILER ALERT**** BOOK 2

Was anyone else frustrated by the time jump? I personally felt robbed of the span of time. That does not mean that what is going on is not interesting but maybe I was just used to following the initial adventures of these characters.


I also wanted to note that I found the whole cold war quite relevant to our current situation with Russia. Experts are actually calling it Cold War 2.0 and the situation with Russia and the Ukraine is only adding to that. While there is a definite 80's tone to the beginning of the book I think it has some interesting parallels to today.

[Latasha]

No, the time jump didn't bother me.

[Jeff]

Finished the book last night. I loved it the first time I read it, and it holds up on a re-read. My one-line impression of the book as a whole: Robert R. McCammon is not at all subtle.

Responses:

My two favorite movies are Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead, so my favorite post-apocalypse movie is Dawn of the Dead by default.

Latasha: (view spoiler)[ I chalk Roland's cluelessness about the fat guy up to being a 14 year old boy in the 80's before the internet. I think people are a lot more conscious of that kind of thing now. (hide spoiler)]

D.M.: (view spoiler)[ There are definitely shades of The Stand towards the beginning of the book, but I felt like it started to differentiate itself more the longer it went along. (hide spoiler)]

Mehmet: (view spoiler)[ The image of Air Force One getting knocked out of the sky by a flaming Greyhound bus full of burning skeletons is one of the images the stuck with me most vividly for the 20 years since I first read this. (hide spoiler)]

Jason: (view spoiler)[ Time jumps usually bother me in books, but it didn't bother me at all in this one. Not sure why. Maybe because there's basically a book's worth of stuff that goes on before the the jump. (hide spoiler)]

[Pamellia]

You guys are intense!! Love it. I was able to start a few hours ago. After some cooking and cleaning duties I am now starting the chapter after the introduction of Swan. Yes indeed, Jeff, RRMcC is not subtle. I live his writing and am looking forward to reading all the spoilera and adding a few of my own.

[Pamellia]

*~Lan Lan~* wrote: "The Stand was original published back in 1978 and Swan Song was published 1987. Kind of weird how one was '78 and the other '87 haha."

That is an interesting fact, Lan Lan. Thanks for calling it to our attention.

[Kaisersoze]

I'm lagging badly it would seem on Chapter 17. Not bad so far, and I'm being carried along well enough.

[[deleted user]]

Jeff wrote: "Finished the book last night. I loved it the first time I read it, and it holds up on a re-read. My one-line impression of the book as a whole: Robert R. McCammon is not at all subtle.

Responses:..."

Cool, thanks Jeff :)

[Latasha]

concerning Mary's Rest
(view spoiler)[ why are they not eating the bobcats they are bringing down? it couldn't be no worse than melting the snow for water. (hide spoiler)]

and omg what is going on with The Savior?!?!

[Latasha]

Jeff wrote: "Finished the book last night. I loved it the first time I read it, and it holds up on a re-read. My one-line impression of the book as a whole: Robert R. McCammon is not at all subtle.

Responses:..."

yeah, I would agree. i gotta remember this was the 80's

[[deleted user]]

*~Lan Lan~* wrote: "I am not an expert in post-apocalyptic movies but Mad Max: Fury Road was a delightful surprise. I went to see it in the theaters with my friend without any expectations other than my dad hated the ..."

Glad you enjoyed it, but I didn't. I don't even know why, it just wasn't mad Max to me. Watched San Andrea's last night, and that it now one of my all time least favourite films! (view spoiler)[ Dwayne Johnson's character survives and overcomes so many impossible obstacles I just wanted him to fail. Does that make me a horrible person? (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

I'm up to chapter 29, the story is OK, but I don't seem to be loving it as much as everyone else. Beginning to think I'm hard to please (maybe it's an age thing and I'm turning into a grumpy old woman).

[Jonathan]

@Kaisersoze

I am at the same spot too! We might finish at the same time.

;-)

[Kaisersoze]

Good to know there's someone reading along at my pace, Jonathan! Some of the others here read at a seemingly demonic pace ;-p

[Latasha]

I've been listening to the audiobook.

[Terry]

I'm at about ch23 right now, too

[Jeff]

Yeah, I also listened to the audiobook, and I had five or six hours a night to listen to it at work.

[Latasha]

Yeah, that's about how long I have too.

[Latasha]

Yeah, that's about how long I have too.

[Nickronomicon]

I hate to say it but I'm bored with it. I'm at the part of Mary's Rest and I'm just ready for it to be over. I'll definitely read more McCammon but I'm thinking the post-apocalyptic world stuff is not for me.

[Jonathan]

@Kaisersoze

Thank goodness someone is at the same part as me! ;-)

I am loving the book so far! My girlfriend and I have been busy but are both glad to be part of this buddy read. We love post apocalyptic fiction.

A big thank you to everyone who is participating in this buddy read!!

[Mehmet]

I am on chapter 33 and must say I am enjoying the book a lot

[Terry]

Even with it being a little slow, I'm still enjoying it. (view spoiler)[ I think the part with Roland in the mountain compound is pretty suspenseful. A scary thought to be trapped like they are where everyone is turning on each other. (hide spoiler)]

[Latasha]

Nick, I just finished Dead Sea and that's exactly how I felt with that one. I'm so glad it's over.

[Pamellia]

51% and starting in book two. So pleased to be part of this read. McCammon's characters are so real to me. I can see them all in my mind's eye and hear there personalities in the voices. Another outstanding read! Love being reminded of my love for Robert's writing by reading one of his classics for the first time.

Question...what race is Sister? Somehow I missed that
Usually I would go back in the book and find missed information, but I feel the need to press on forward...one step (or word in this case) at a time.

[Pamellia]

I just started Book Two. When I read comments about book two and the skipping of time, I thought we were talking chapter one and two. LOL.I didn't see why skipping a few hours was a problem. Duh!!! Sometimes I do get a bit confused. But now between book one and two. I like the skip. It gives Robert an opportunity to write in a different way and break up the flow, which could get boring with 800 plus pages.

Was this orignally sold as two books when first ?

[Latasha]

I finished it up today. I loved it! 5 stars!

[Kenneth]

Pamellia wrote: "I just started Book Two. When I read comments about book two and the skipping of time, I thought we were talking chapter one and two. LOL.I didn't see why skipping a few hours was a problem. Duh!!!..."

No, this was originally sold as one novel. I've read this book 3 times and I absolutely love it. The characters, landscape, and storytelling are so vibrant. It feels as if you're in the story.

[Kaisersoze]

Amid all the love here, I'm kind of loathe to admit, Swan Song is losing me. There are some quality bits, but there are so many long passages in between where not much of anything happens. McCammon seems to belabour the same plot point over and over.

A lot of this reaction may be my fault though. Life is so busy I'm beginning to resent the time it's taking me to wade through one 950 page tome. I think my days of epic reads are over. At least until things settle down and my attention span lengthens again.

[Jonathan]

@Kaisersoze

I am the same way with Stephen Kings the Dark Tower, if I force myself my opinion of the series goes way way down. I have to really be in the mood to read ginormous books.

Hope the book redeems itself for you!

[Char]

I hope it redeems itself too, Kaiser.

[[deleted user]]

Kaisersoze wrote: "Amid all the love here, I'm kind of loathe to admit, Swan Song is losing me. There are some quality buts, but there are so many long passages in between where not much of anything happens. McCammon..."

My life is currently hectic too and reading this monster is going to take me a while. I am so far behind but I am not going to rush myself because, like you, I will just dislike the book.

So far though (at chapter 11) I like the book but still find myself a little bored. I think it is because I have been into the nuclear apocalypse mood for a while and now it is coming to an end... until Fallout 4 comes out and I will be obsessed.


Also that moment in the theater creeped me right out. (view spoiler)[WHAT THE HELL WAS HAPPENING TO HIS FACE?!?!?! *shudder* Is he liked the Horseman of War or something? Will his character come up later or was that only time he will show his grotesque face(s)? (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

Kaisersoze wrote: "Amid all the love here, I'm kind of loathe to admit, Swan Song is losing me. There are some quality buts, but there are so many long passages in between where not much of anything happens. McCammon..."

Im still thinking its okay, but not loving it, and like you getting a bit bored with the long drawn out bits. :(

[Ken]

I think the book is ok. Not great but I still want to keep reading it. I just hit chapter 57. I think the big time jump makes no sense mostly because it's just too big and doesn't fit with the changes otherwise too the characters and the groups they are in. Maybe it will make more sense after I finish.

[Jonathan]

I haven't read as many different authors as the rest of you, however in my opinion this book is a lot different from the usual post apocalyptic fiction I have been exposed to. I feel like a lot of thought went into this world and I am enjoying the hell out of it. I haven't reached the time jump yet, hopefully I am still loving it when I reach that part.

I am a slow reader so I will probably be the last one to finish the book. ;-)

[Randy]

Jonathan wrote: "I am a slow reader so I will probably be the last one to finish the book. ;-) "

We can have a contest.

I just re-borrowed the Kindle book from the library, as my original 2-week loan had ended.

[[deleted user]]

Jonathan wrote: "I haven't read as many different authors as the rest of you, however in my opinion this book is a lot different from the usual post apocalyptic fiction I have been exposed to. I feel like a lot of ..."

Haha no think the last person to finish it will be me!

[Jonathan]

Bah! I am as slow as a snail riding a tortoise on four broken legs! You can definitely beat me to the finishing line! Just wait a long time to see!

;-)

[Ange]

Im also slow going but then it is a big ass book.

[Terry]

Jonathan wrote: "I haven't read as many different authors as the rest of you, however in my opinion this book is a lot different from the usual post apocalyptic fiction I have been exposed to. I feel like a lot of ..."

I agree, Jonathan. I'm enjoying it for the same reasons.

[Kaisersoze]

Thanks for not roasting me over the first semi-negative opinion, everyone!

I've reached the time jump, and have just decided to plow on, because if I stop, I many never come back to it.

Chapter 53 ... (view spoiler)[The growths over the faces of most of the main characters is interesting. Looking forward to seeing where that goes (hide spoiler)]