Swan Song

The next stop in my end-of-the-world reading marathon was Robert McCammon's post-apocalyptic epic Swan Song. Published in 1987, nine years after Stephen King's The Stand, the story follows two bands of survivors. One represents good, the other evil, as they make their way across what used to be America. Meanwhile, a supernatural being, no less than Old Scratch himself, seeks to undermine the good souls and shift the battle onto the side of evil. Yes, kids, eerily similar to The Stand. More on that later.

The tale begins on July 16 with the President of the United States, a former astronaut, facing a world in crisis. Eight months ago, the Soviet Union unleashed nuclear and chemical strikes on Afghanistan. A twelve-and-a-half kiloton nuclear device has leveled half of Beirut, with dozens of terrorist groups claiming responsibility. India and Pakistan have exchanged nuclear and chemical strikes, and Iraq and Iran follow suit. American and Soviet naval and air forces shadow each other over the Persian Gulf, while off Key West, a trigger happy U.S. fighter jet sends a missile into a crippled Russian sub. The U.S.S.R. responds by blinding American satellites. The President is adamant that he will not start World War III but his advisers remark that the world is already at war. In a game of brinkmanship, he reluctantly gives the A-OK to intercept Soviet submarines on the seas.

Meanwhile, several Americans go about the last day of their lives. In Manhattan, bag lady Sister Creep, whose regular life ended with drunk driving and its aftermath, opens up a razorblade on two men who assault her. She uses her last bit of change to enter the subway, where she seeks shelter in a tunnel, plagued by bad memories. In Concordia, Kansas, professional wrestler "Black Frankenstein", alias Josh Hutchins, resorts to some stagecraft when his opponent injures himself. In Wichita, Sue Wanda Prescott, known as Swan, tends to a garden she's planted outside the mobile home she shares with her stripper mom Darleen and "uncle". Swan has a gift for growing things and seeing into people, which unnerves her mom's latest boyfriend. After he slaps Darleen, mother and daughter hit the road. In Idaho, the Croninger family wind their RV up Blue Dome Mountain, where they've bought a two-week time share in Earth House, an underground compound managed by Vietnam veteran Colonel James Macklin. The young Roland Croninger, a geek for computers and strategy games, is not impressed with the middle-aged war hero, while his mother observes numerous drainage problems in the mountain fortress.

These are the unlucky ones who survive the global thermonuclear war that begins at 10:16 a.m. EST. Sister Creep emerges from the subway to find her favorite spot in the city, a glassworks shop, destroyed. Amid the ruins, she discovers a ring of glass forged by the nuclear fire into a priceless jewel. The ring seems to enable the bearer to "dreamwalk" great distances and see fantastic things. The ring gives hope to each of the shellshocked survivors Sister reluctantly gathers up to lead through the flooding Holland Tunnel to safety. Josh meets Swan & Doreen at a gas station near a cornfield in Kansas where the locusts seem to sense something headed their way. Swan feels it next but is unable to alert the grownups before missile silos in the cornfield open and fire ICBMs into the atmosphere. In the retaliatory strike that follows, Josh, Swan & Doreen are buried in a fallout shelter under the gas station. Colonel Macklin and the staff of Earth House track World War III in real time and seal the mountain as they've drilled for countless times. However, a U.S. missile headed for Russia malfunctions and explodes close enough to hit the compound with a shockwave. The faulty drainage system turns the mountain into a tomb, separating Roland from his parents. The boy loses his mind but finds a new patron in Colonel Macklin, whom he rescues from the rubble and helps escape to the surface.
In New Jersey, Sister Creep encounters a survivor who gives the name of Doyle Halland and claims to be a priest. Something about the man makes Sister uneasy. He becomes fixated on the ring she's carrying after seeing its effect on other survivors. Halland reveals himself to be something less than human and far worse, a creature of many different faces and names (The Man With the Scarlet Eye among them) who's taken a front row seat to every genocide in history. Sister manages to escape and using the ring, begins to experience visions of a special girl in Kansas.
This takes us through page 267 of 956 or roughly one third of the book. By the conclusion, I kept hoping it would never end. In Stephen King's anthology Four Past Midnight, the story The Library Policeman features an exchange between librarian Mrs. Lortz and a realtor named Sam Peebles. Mrs. Lortz mentions that the kids' favorite novel is Swan Song by Robert McCammon. She says they can't keep it in stock as they read each new copy to rags in weeks. I first read Swan Song in high school and revisiting it 25 years later, I was even more enthralled. Once I stopped comparing it to The Stand and simply submitted to McCammon's fits of imagination and gift of majestic storytelling, I never looked back. With The Stand, King's characters seemed like they could be found in the same hardware store in Maine. While King knows those characters well, McCammon jets the reader out of the hardware store and scatters us to four corners of the country, introducing more diverse and compelling characters. The Man with the Scarlet Eye, alias Doyle Halland, alias Friend, is as close as I've seen an author get to using "Sympathy For the Devil" by The Rolling Stones to bring a character to life. He's introduced in a sleazy theater in Times Square, laughing at the carnage and giving the employees the creeps. Strangely, none of the staff members can agree on what he looks like and are reminded of painful memories in his presence. One aspect of Swan Song I found novel was the introduction of a skin condition among some of the survivors called Job's Mask. It starts off as facial warts that connect through tendrils and eventually wrap the sufferer's entire face in a thick mask. Those afflicted suffer great pain as their facial structure is altered. My only complaint about Swan Song is the awful art on the paperback covers. The covers look like something a demon, alien or werewolf coughed up. Any illustrator could do a better job of capturing the majesty and scope of the storytelling. When reading a McCammon book in public, I turn the cover over so nobody will see. Swan Song is not for the faint of heart. McCammon goes to great lengths to render the country barren. The United States is cloaked in nuclear winter. The earth and water are polluted. Rats are a good meal and melted snow often makes those who drink it ill. At night, wolves and other strange creatures come out. Sunlight has vanished and along with it, hope. What happens when the characters come together in Missouri and build a community is remarkable. I was invested in their transformation of the wasteland into a home and when it comes under attack, I was hooked into seeing it protected. I haven't come this close to talking to a book in some time.

How do you review such a massive book with a wide breadth of themes and plot elements? I know, how about a quick, tidy, tried-and-true Alphabet review? Because, let’s be honest, nobody wants to read a fifteen-page review of my rambling thoughts. This format has a clear beginning and end.

So, hold your magical glass crystals close and your tarot cards even closer, because here we go!

**Quick synopsis**: America is in dire straits after a nuclear war. A vicious creature named the Man with the Scarlet Eye is after Swan, a special child who might just hold the key to saving the world.

**A** is for **Atmosphere** – Oh! A great one to kick it off with. This book has it in spades! Prepare yourself for obliterated cityscapes, abandoned grocery stores, old, rickety gas stations, magical farms, mountainsides, and so much more! The author does an excellent job of painting a vivid picture of a post-apocalyptic world that is both terrifying and captivating.

**B** is for **Beauty** – The transformation of Swan is just perfection. It is a story about destiny that is filled with an incredible number of twists and turns. One of the most interesting character arcs. You can't help but root for Swan as she discovers her true potential and battles against the forces of evil.

**C** is for **Creativity** – It is refreshing to go into a book thinking it is going to be straight horror, but find out it tackles quite a few other emotional issues such as loss, hope, freedom, comradery, resourcefulness, etc. The author's imagination runs wild in this book, creating a world that is both unique and believable.

**D** is for **Disfigurement** – Outward-facing appearances play a large role in this story. If you do not look a certain way, you are an outcast, and some military factions will take action against you. The way in which this idea is presented and where it ends up is ultimately fascinating and unique. Curveballs abound!

This was far more engaging than The Stand and better written. That is my honest opinion.

From the very first chapter, I was completely engaged. In fact, I might have even shed a few tears at the end of the book.

The beginning of the novel, with its vivid description of a nuclear holocaust, had my heart in my throat. There is no war as such, it is just the end of everything as we know it.

The various stories of survival of our characters, both the so-called "good" and "bad", kept me turning the pages. It even touched on my claustrophobia in a way that I had to stop reading for a few minutes here and there.

I really liked the supernatural elements in the story. They did not detract from the overall narrative or make the story seem silly or over the top.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in reading about the end of the world. I am truly glad that I finally got around to reading it.

It has been a captivating and thought-provoking read that I will not soon forget.

Once upon a time, a man made a decision that would change his reading experience forever. He decided to pick up Robert McCammon's book, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions he had ever made.

“I used to be an optimist, a long time ago. I used to believe in miracles. But do you know what happened? I got older. And the world got meaner.”

The man's journey with McCammon's books didn't start here. Four years ago, he read a book that depicted the coming-of-age story of a boy in Zephyr, Alabama. It was like stumbling upon a gold mine. The book, Boy’s Life, called out to him, and he couldn't resist. Somehow, it became one of his all-time favorite books.

The man's reading taste typically leans towards epic fantasy, science fiction, and historical fiction. He rarely strays outside these genres, not because he avoids others, but because there are so many books in his favorite genres that he still wants to read. However, he enjoys the occasional foray outside his comfort zone, which usually leads him to literary fiction or horror novels.

“How many could possibly be still alive in that holocaust, he wondered. No. A better question was: How many would want to be alive? Because in his briefings and research on nuclear warfare, one thing was very clear to him: The hundreds of millions who perished in the first few hours would be the lucky ones. It was the survivors who would endure a thousand forms of damnation.”

Swan Song is arguably McCammon's most famous book. Similar to Stephen King's The Stand, it is a highly-praised post-apocalyptic classic. The man will add his own resounding praises to it. While The Stand focused on the terrifying effects of a deadly plague, Swan Song explored the devastating results of World War III, specifically a nuclear war. America, as it was, is gone forever, and the survivors must do everything in their power to stay alive in a brutal wasteland filled with rage, fear, radiation, monstrous creatures, and marauding armies.

“Everybody’s got two faces, child—the outside face and the inside face. The outside face is how the world sees you, but the inside face is what you really look like. It’s your true face, and if it was flipped to the outside you’d show the world what kind of person you are.”

The man thoroughly loved McCammon's prose. He had already expressed this when he read Boy’s Life, and even though Swan Song has a different tone and narration style, it was still excellent. McCammon used a third-person omniscient narration style, which is common in novels from the 80s and early 90s. While this is usually a pet peeve for the man, it didn't bother him in Swan Song. He was incredibly invested in all the main characters, both the protagonists and the antagonists. The narrative felt engaging and intimate, and McCammon nailed the voice of each character so distinctly.

“She knew also that he’d almost taken the apple, but at the last second his unthinking rage and pride had won. And she’d seen that he hated her and hated himself for wanting to take a step beyond what he was; but he’d been afraid of her, too, and as she’d watched him stagger away Swan had realized that forgiveness crippled evil, drew the poison from it like lancing a boil.”

Every character in Swan Song had a crucial role to play. Swan, Josh, Sister, Paul, Mule, Killer, Robin, and the despicable Roland and Macklin. If the man were to discuss the magnificence of each character, this review would go on forever. Instead, he would say that Swan, Josh, and Sister were his favorite characters. The duo of Swan and Josh embodied some of his favorite tropes, such as found family and the badass and child duo. Their relationship and how they endured, persevered, fought, and cared for each other in the apocalypse was truly inspirational.

“Even the most worthless thing in the world can be beautiful… it just takes the right touch.”

Swan Song is one of the best post-apocalyptic stories the man has ever read, and it is also one of the best standalone novels of all time. It is dark, violent, engaging, filled with profound hope and beauty, and extremely worthwhile. It has rightfully earned its legendary status. The man has only read Boy’s Life and Swan Song from McCammon's long bibliography, but both are on his list of favorite books and standalone novels. He already considers McCammon one of his favorite authors, and if he reads one more favorite book from him, McCammon will surely be on his list of favorite authors of all time. The man still has many more of McCammon's books to read, and now he is faced with a dilemma. What should he read next? After doing research and hearing many great things, he thinks his next venture with McCammon's books will be a series called Matthew Corbett. He can't predict when he will start reading the series, as it depends on his reading mood, but he knows there is only one book left in the series. So, it's likely that he will begin his journey when he hears news about the approximate or final publication date of the last volume.

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Note to self: Reading about a nuclear shit storm during the unfolding of WWIII isn't your greatest idea


Grab a drink. Get a snack. Brace yourself. This will be long.


Tensions between the US and Russia escalate, leading to a dangerous dick measuring contest where the dicks are nuclear missiles and the prize is TOTAL ANNIHILATION. We are introduced to the pre-apocalyptic lives of four main character groups. Sister discovers a mysterious glass piece in the fallout in NYC, and visions drive her towards Kansas. Swan, an innocent child with a green thumb, crosses paths with Josh, an old, worn-down professional athlete. Colonel Macklin is in his under-mountain fortress, Earth House, where he finds Ronald, a teenage psychopath, and starts the Army of Excellence. The Man with the Scarlet Eye, the evil force trying to undo all of humanity, watches a movie.


There may be spoilers after this point.


This book is lengthy and divided into 2 parts. The first part focuses on the initial period after the 17th of July Holocaust. During this time, Swan and Josh's bond deepens, Roland becomes a killer, and Sister travels west with a partner. In book two, seven years have passed. Sister has journeyed far and wide, following her visions. Swan has grown into a young woman. Ronald has killed more people. And the Man with the Scarlet Eye has been patiently combing the States for settlements, draining the hope from everything.


The story is told from multiple points of view, which helps keep the plot lines clear. Just when you think McCammon has dropped a thread, he ties it all up neatly in the end. The pace is slower, but for a book of this size, that is necessary. I enjoyed McCammon's style and plan to read more of his work soon.


Now, let's compare Swan Song to one of my all-time favorite books, The Stand.


The Similarities:

* Both have a significant reduction in the human population

* Both have an oracle lady with visions

* Both have a stupid, vile boy with serious issues

* Both have a chaotic evil force in human form


The Differences:

* Swan Song focuses on rebuilding all of civilization, emphasizing hope and the possibility of life returning better than before. It's about thinking globally and acting locally. The world-building is more intense, given that the world has been devastated.


* The Stand focuses on a single settlement, its delicate structure, and its growth. World-building is minimal since the physical world didn't change much during the plague.


I won't say which is better. I can't do that to these masterpieces. I will say that the ending of each leaves a very different feeling about the future of their respective worlds.


⭐⭐⭐ for being entertaining, well-written, with developed characters and a happy ending

⭐⭐ for world-building and creating a despicable villain

Eха. The song of Lebedova is a true masterpiece. It is extremely well-written, with impressive heroes. The novel, although a fictional creation, makes me stop and think about the implications of what would happen if...

This story has a certain charm that draws the reader in and makes them eager to know more. The characters are vividly portrayed, and their actions and decisions keep the plot moving forward. The author's use of language is also very skillful, creating a vivid and immersive world.

Overall, this is a novel that is well worth reading. It not only provides entertainment but also makes the reader reflect on some important issues. Whether you are a fan of fiction or not, I believe you will find something to enjoy in this story.

In this epic novel, the world has been devastated by a nuclear apocalypse. A group of survivors embarks on a journey to find a town in Missouri that they hope will offer a new beginning. Among them is a young girl named Swan, who might hold the key to mankind's salvation.

This is an exciting and addictive book. It features great characters that are well-developed and engaging. The action is fast-moving, yet it never feels rushed. The plot is incredibly detailed, with many twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat. McCammon's prose is excellent, making the long page-count seem to zip by.

However, the sad thing is that it will always be compared to Stephen King's superior novel, The Stand. Anyone who says that this novel isn't uncomfortably similar is in serious denial. Swan Song does have its own merits, but there are still too many close similarities to ignore. For example, the harrowing trip through the Holland Tunnel out of New York is extremely similar to Larry's trip through the Lincoln Tunnel in Stephen King's book, just with more water.

Nevertheless, aside from that, the book is still great. This was my first read from Robert McCammon, and it got me very excited to read more of his work. Now, he's one of my favorite authors. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys post-apocalyptic fiction or well-written novels in general.

This is an extremely remarkable book!

I have come across numerous reviews where individuals compare Swan Song to The Stand. While both are outstanding in their own unique ways, I will refrain from making such comparisons here.

The narrative of this book progresses at a rather brisk pace. Despite its length of over 900 pages, I never had the impression that any segments were sluggish or拖沓. There is an abundance of action and suspense throughout, which makes it an absolute delight to read. I relished experiencing the story from the diverse perspectives of the different characters. It truly compelled me to keep turning the pages.

The author has done an excellent job of constructing a desolate, post-apocalyptic world, and it was effortless to envision what the characters were witnessing.

I felt that the majority of the characters were very well-developed. Naturally, I fell in love with Swan right away. Sister and Josh were also extremely awesome! The villains were truly fascinating, and there were even a couple of instances in the story where I was almost rooting for them.

There were a few minor magical elements in the story, and they were enjoyable to read as well. I was content with how everything culminated. I felt that the ending was refreshing and positive.

Overall, this book was incredibly excellent from beginning to end and would be relished by anyone seeking a captivating and lengthy dystopian tale.