Swan Song by Robert McCammon

[[deleted user]]

I'm just having a little fun, Nick. Sorry if I took the thread off topic. I just come from a region of the country where we spit on the ground and make the sign of the evil eye every time the words "Olive Garden" are spoken. Let's put it behind us and all unite in our agreement that Spaghetti-Ohs are even more vile.

[H]

>(-_-)<

[Nick]

Andy wrote: "I'm just having a little fun, Nick. Sorry if I took the thread off topic. I just come from a region of the country where we spit on the ground and make the sign of the evil eye every time the wor..."

Lotta ground spitting going on here too.

[David]

Hello all, first time chiming in here. I'm a big fan of both King and McCammon and enjoyed both books. For me, The Stand might be one of my favorite books of all time. But I really did enjoy Swan Song and would rate it among some of McCammon's best along with Boys Life, Usher's Passing, and Mine. There are obvious comparisons, but I think both works stand on their own as great works of fiction. I hope everyone who wasn't familiar with McCammon enjoys him.

[Glenda]

I finally reset my password. Swan Song is one of my all-time favorite books, even though Robert McCammon is only an okay writer for me, Swan Song is an amazing book, I love it! And my only comment on Olive Garden is the book is far better than it, lol!

[Nick]

Glenda wrote: "I finally reset my password. Swan Song is one of my all-time favorite books, even though Robert McCammon is only an okay writer for me, Swan Song is an amazing book, I love it! And my only comment ..."

Amen on both counts. (Swan good, Olive Garden Bad) I'm about a quarter into Swan Song and think it's fantastic. But the audio book of Horns by Joe Hill is every bit as gripping. So when I read at night it's Mc Cammon and in the car it's Hill. Quite an experience.

[Alendi]

A friend of mine read it and said that it was too scary.
He urged me to avoid it.
What do you think?
Should I give it a try?

[Becky]

I didn't think it was scary at all... unless you're frightened by repetition, long stretches of boredom, and poor characterization.

[Alendi]

I don't care if it's scary.
I have read lots of horror books.
As I see, there are many positive reviews so I'll give it a try.

[Becky]

There are always going to be mixed reviews on books. Some will love it, and some will hate it, some (like me) don't see what all the fuss was about.

You should read it if you're interested in it. Maybe you'll like it, and maybe you won't. You just have to try and see.

[Alendi]

Ok, thanks a lot.

[David]

I didn't find it particularly scary. Some of McCammon's books are, but this wasn't among the scariest. But, Becky is right, there are always mixed reviews so I usually like to find out for myself.

[Alendi]

Οk.
i'll read it and see how it is.

[Jennifer]

I am almost finished with Swan Song and I have to say, not that impressed. I feel like the plot is pretty obvious and characters are just so-so (but I do really like Sister and Maklin-creep!). Maybe it's just dated (I assume pre fall of Soviet Union?), but I see the Spahgetti-Os comparison. (Very clever, BTW :) I love the idea of a group read because I LOVE discussing what I am reading, wondering if anyone is interested in some kind of timeline so we can discuss what we've read "so far", i.e. chapters 1-8 in week 1, etc. Just a thought. Really enjoying the group, thanks for having me! :)

[Nate]

I read Swan Song for the first time around 1 year ago, and I enjoyed the book immensely. I have since read a few MacCammon books, and I have not been disappointed.

Of course Swan Song must be compared to the Stand, but I first read The Stand 20-25 years ago around age 12-14. I have subsequently reread The Stand many times, and in a way I feel that I've grown up with the story and know it well. As a result, The Stand feels quintessential in a way that books new to me never will. I wish I could have read Swan Song when it came out and see how they compare in the long view.

In the short view, Swan Song was a joy to read, and I really didn't find myself comparing it that much to The Stand. I read a lot of PA fiction, so maybe there's a reason for that. My greatest point of comparison:

When Swan Song ended, I was ready to let the characters go.

When the Stand ended, I wanted to keep right on going with Stu and Franny and see how their lives turned out.

[David]

Nate wrote: "I read Swan Song for the first time around 1 year ago, and I enjoyed the book immensely. I have since read a few MacCammon books, and I have not been disappointed.

Of course Swan Song must be c..."

That's a great description of Swan Song and The Stand. I couldn't agree more!

[Nate]

Thanks, David. One of my college English professors used to pull out this quote that explained bookworms. It went something like: "Bookworms are people who read the Lord of the Rings as children and consequentially spend the rest of their lives reading every book they can in a subconscious attempt to recreate that discovery." I kind of feel that way about The Stand.(And LOTR too, lol.)

[Danell]

Grateful that Swan Song was the book for the month and I had time to read it. I liked the book, although there were parts that disturbed me, I enjoyed the reading it! Looking forward to reading more of MacCammons books!

[Kit★]

I just finished and I really liked it.
Aside from the end of the world type situation, and the good vs evil aspect, this was nothing like The Stand. It was its own strange and good thing. Definitely strange.
I really liked it a lot though, even if to me, The Stand holds a higher place in my affections. Swan Song's going in the keeper box with it though, and I'll read it again someday no doubt.

[Jonathan]

I just picked up this book a week ago! I am very excited to read it!

[Malina]

I just finished this last week and I thought it was fabulous, it does remind me of The Stand in the good vs evil plot as others have commented. Definitely a book I will read again someday.

[Mike]

One of my favourite books.

I've not read it in a long time.

Looking forward to re-reading it.

[Bangkok Shocks, Saigon Shakes, Blastronaut Rocks..]

Long time since I read it but a very good book. Only read two Mccamon books, the other being Mine... no I don't mean 'belonging to me' I mean.... ah never mind! Really can't think why I haven't gone at more of his stuff as I enjoyed both.
Any recs as to next one to try?

[David]

I really like They Thirst and The Fall of the House of Usher.

[Bangkok Shocks, Saigon Shakes, Blastronaut Rocks..]

Could ya give me a brief idea of what they're about? Without giving owt away obviously. Might give me a nudge as to which to go at first.

[David]

They Thirst deals with vampires in Los Angeles. Usher is kind of a follow up to Poe’s Fall of the House of Usher. Actually McCammon’s book is title Usher’s Passing.

[Bangkok Shocks, Saigon Shakes, Blastronaut Rocks..]

Ok cheers dude. Appreciate it. To be honest, I've never been able to get on with vampire stuff when it comes to gothic settings and/or dracula.... kinda bores me a bit. That said... I don't mind modern day tales of vampires which, I assume The Thirst is. Not read many vampire books from what I remember.... apart from our man King's early effort. One by Richard Laymon and maybe one by Graham Masterton and struggling to think of others. Can't remember if James Herbert did one. I did enjoy the first Blade film I gotta say. My top vamp film for sure. That's about as close as I get to any superhero or comic book stuff. 30 Days Of Night's a pretty good watch too. Struggling to think of any more film or books but there'll no doubt be a couple more.
I shall maybe give They Thirst a crack first.

[Kandice]

Bangkok Shocks, Saigon Shakes, Blastronaut Rocks wrote: "Could ya give me a brief idea of what they're about? Without giving owt away obviously. Might give me a nudge as to which to go at first."

You didn't ask for this, but Robert R. McCammon's Boy's Life is phenomenal. It's a coming of age story along the lines of The Body by King, maybe even The Talisman, but a bit more grounded in reality.

[David]

Loved Boy’s Life too!

[Bangkok Shocks, Saigon Shakes, Blastronaut Rocks..]

Kandice wrote: "Bangkok Shocks, Saigon Shakes, Blastronaut Rocks wrote: "Could ya give me a brief idea of what they're about? Without giving owt away obviously. Might give me a nudge as to which to go at first."

..."

Sounds alright to me. Thanks.

[F.C.]

Kandice wrote: "Bangkok Shocks, Saigon Shakes, Blastronaut Rocks wrote: "Could ya give me a brief idea of what they're about? Without giving owt away obviously. Might give me a nudge as to which to go at first."
Robert McCammon is not just a great horror writer, but a great storyteller in general. Too bad he was told by publishers it stop writing horror after the '80s.
..."

[Bangkok Shocks, Saigon Shakes, Blastronaut Rocks..]

F.C. wrote: "Kandice wrote: "Bangkok Shocks, Saigon Shakes, Blastronaut Rocks wrote: "Could ya give me a brief idea of what they're about? Without giving owt away obviously. Might give me a nudge as to which to..."

Really? Please disclose your information... sounds interesting.

[F.C.]

Bangkok Shocks, Saigon Shakes, Blastronaut Rocks wrote: "Ok cheers dude. Appreciate it. To be honest, I've never been able to get on with vampire stuff when it comes to gothic settings and/or dracula.... kinda bores me a bit. That said... I don't mind mo..." I've written a vampire trilogy set in 21st Century America and McCammon's They Thirst was both an inspiration and and a big influence on what I wrote. The book was a great thrill ride.