Swan Song

By: Robert R. McCammon

Narrated by: Tom Stechschulte

Length: 34 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

"We're about to cross the point of no return. God help us; we're flying in the dark, and we don't know where the hell we're going."

Facing down an unprecedented malevolent enemy, the government responds with a nuclear attack. America as it was is gone forever, and now every citizen - from the president of the United States to the homeless on the streets of New York City - will fight for survival.

Swan Song is Robert McCammon's prescient and shocking vision of a post-apocalyptic nation, a grand epic of terror and, ultimately, renewal.

In a wasteland born of rage and fear, populated by monstrous creatures and marauding armies, earth's last survivors have been drawn into the final battle between good and evil, that will decide the fate of humanity. They include Sister, who discovers a strange and transformative glass artifact in the destroyed Manhattan streets... Joshua Hutchins, the pro wrestler who takes refuge from the nuclear fallout at a Nebraska gas station... and Swan, a young girl possessing special powers, who travels alongside Josh to a Missouri town where healing and recovery can begin with Swan's gifts. But the ancient force behind earth's devastation is scouring the walking wounded for recruits for its relentless army, beginning with Swan herself.

Please note: Two chapters were originally missing from Part 2 of this book. We were alerted to the problem on 11/21/11 and have corrected it. We're very sorry for any inconvenience. If you had already downloaded the book, don’t worry - your library has automatically updated with the corrected version. Simply re-download from your library, at no additional cost, to get the complete book.

©2009 Robert McCammon (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

forced plot

many of the the big plot movements seemed too forced. I found it very difficult to immerse myself in the story because of it.

Prefer his historical fiction

Would you try another book from Robert McCammon and/or Tom Stechschulte?

Yes

What was most disappointing about Robert McCammon’s story?

Too long, not well edited. Not much depth in characters. It came down to a conflict between good and evil.

Have you listened to any of Tom Stechschulte’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Do you think Swan Song needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No. But I'd love to see McCammon write more in his 'Matthew Shardlake' series.

Ok ideas, long execution, terrible end

a lot of imagination and build up completely wasted in the last couple chapters. I don't see how people love it. The performance was fantastic.

Great book and even better narration

This was my first time listening to/reading this book and I thought it was absolutely perfect for a what it is. It’s not *super* deep and profound, but it’s not trying to be. It is at its core a pulpy page-turner, but it is exceptional because it still manages to be relevant, profound, and very well written at the same time.

Not quite as broad-sweeping as The Stand, but McCammon uses that to his advantage. While I will always love The Stand and it’s honestly a little unfair to compare the two since they’re so different, Swan Song is front-to-back a much more rounded book. It’s brutal, violent, realistic, fantastical, and beautiful all at once.

On top of all that, the narration is the BEST I’ve ever experienced in an audiobook. This man absolutely crushed it. I have never had the experience listening to one person switch voices and emote so well and have such great timing as I did with this audiobook. I want to recommend this book to everyone I know, but I almost want to exclusively recommend they first listen to the audiobook.

wow

Wow. What a book! up there with the Stand if you're into post apocalyptic stories

Best book I have ever read/listened to!!!

I first read "Swan Song" many many years ago and immediately became a Robert McCammon fan. This book took me to places that I never imagined I could go. Each character - whether it be a "good guy" or a "bad guy" was mesmerizing and the detail Mr. McCammon provided to each was so real that I actually thought I knew these individuals personally. The story takes place right before and after the bombs flew (from the USSR to the USA and from USA to USSR) and the world becomes a wasteland. This book is the story of hope, teamwork, love, devotion, hatred, desperation, anger, trust, and loyalty. I have read this book a dozen times and it never disappoints.

The narrator - Tom Stechschulte is also quite excellent. His cadence and rhythm are memorizing and his tone is spot on. In fact, I searched for other books he has narrated and bought several of those as well.

All in all, you cannot go wrong with this book. If you like biographies or romance novels, find something else to read but if you like adventure, horror, action or anything post-apocalyptic, this is your book.

Good read but a bit of a disappointment in the ending.

Overall good read. A bit repetitive at times but then fast paced at other times. Balanced it out. The only reason it's not a 5 is because I was personally disappointed in the ending. I don't want to give too much away and it DID wrap things up for the most part but I really would have liked to see more done with the little treasure in the bag at the end especially since the first 50 chapters were about it.... And I like to see ALL bad guys get what's due. But otherwise it was good. At least it wrapped up the ending.

Crazy, violent, warm, weird and good

Very long, but you certainly get your money's worth. Violent to the extreme but a lot of love too. I quit a few times but went back and it finally grabbed me. The story is sometimes too out there to handle but if you like apocalypse tales, this one beats them all. In the end - I really liked it.

Horrifying and uplifting - this really moved me

Would you consider the audio edition of Swan Song to be better than the print version?

I did not read the print version.

What did you like best about this story?

Mixing a bit of fantasy with real-life possibilities. The events are realistic and scary. The good characters kreep into your heart as you follow them on their journeys from despair through perseverance and to glory.

Have you listened to any of Tom Stechschulte’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

After a nuclear holocaust, who would win the final battle for the human soul - good or evil?

Any additional comments?

At first I was not convinced that mixing fantasy with a nuclear holocaust novel is a good idea, but it worked out well in the end.

loved it!!!

One of the best novels in this genre i have read since the Stand. I loved the characters and felt their struggles and joys.