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.

Phenomenal

This was an outstanding post-apocalypse good vs. evil story! The author, Robert McCammon, developed all of the characters so well that it was easy to start to feel emotions towards them.

The post-nuclear world that he drew was very dismal and detailed. The aftermath of the radiation exposure to the characters in the book were gruesome. The Devil and his followers in the theme are terrifying! Thank goodness there were the characters Swan, Sister Creep, and the professional wrestler named Josh with their power of courage and love.

I think you will enjoy the outstanding characters and the suspense and the terror in this novel. Everything is excellent about it, including the narrator.

Not what I expected... but what a ride!

Wanting to avoid spoilers, I rarely read about a book more than what I have to. I want to be as surprised as I can be.

And boy, was I surprised... I knew this book was a post-apocalyptic story, following a couple of survivors of the nuclear holocaust. But what I didn't know was that the story involved a few supernatural elements. At first, I thought they were meant to be taken figuratively. But I soon realized that they were "real".

And that made me somewhat angry and disappointed. I love science fiction and have no problem with supernatural stuff. But I thought this was unnecessary. I was close to give up my listening a few times.

But I stayed on. Part of me wanted to see how ridiculous things could get with these sudden supernatural elements. And part of me wanted to see what actually happened with the characters. And I'm glad now that I kept listening, because this was a really good adventure! Or "adventure" is perhaps the wrong word. This book is so full of violence, hopelessness and sadness. But also a yearning for light, love and hope.

Some people have criticized it for being overly religious, that it only makes references to the Christian god, but I had no problems with that. First of all, the villain of the book is never said to be the Devil of the Bible. You can say that it is perhaps implied, and that he/it fits our picture of him, but you can also say that he/it is Pure Evil. Second, the reason people in the book talks about God (the Christian one) and about churches and prayers, is because the story takes place in the U.S. There are other religions there too, but most of the people are Christian. (For the record: Myself, I'm an atheist living in Sweden.)

It was a long book, but even if it felt never-ending in the beginning, it really caught on about a third into the book. And the closer I got to the ending, I both wanted to know how it would end and wanted it not to end.

The narration I found to be excellent.

I'm curious about what other books the author has written, but right now I feel I need to clear my head with something a bit shorter and not so gloomy.

McCammon's take on King's The Stand

In some ways superior, in most ways not. A good read, but clocking in at over 34 hours, sometimes a struggle to keep pushing through.

Worth the effort as most consider it a classic of the horror genre. Not especially scary, but engaging.

3.8

classic epic journey / good Vs evil. well done easy to listen to. good character development.

Great Car Trip Book

I loved this book till the last two chapters. then it was just so-so. I felt it jumped the rail a bit

Best Post-Apocalyptic Book Hands Down

This is the best post-apocalyptic book hands down. I've read the book. Listened to it twice and am currently listening for a 3rd time. I've read or listened to most post-apocalypse/apocalyptic novels and series out there. This one has it all, imagination, mystical, suspense, thriller, you name it. Even though it was written over 30 years ago it doesn't appear outdated. It's a great book. I really enjoy it and sure you will too!

A wonderful story of hope, redemption and love.

I first read Swan song in 1988 when I was a freshman in college.I was pleased to note that the story moved me now is much as it did again period especially love the relationship between Josh and Swan. Josh reminded me so much of my own father, a very big and powerful man who was very gentle sweet and kind.

Poor substitute for Stephen King

I have read the Robert McMammon hates being called a "poor man's Stephen King", but I think that is probably the best description. Don't get me wrong, Swan Song is not a terrible use of credits- I like long books, you know, get the most for my money and all. The author's writing style is not terrible, but somewhat "simple" and predictable. If you have not read "The Stand" yet, read this book first, that way you will be less disappointed with Swan Song. If you enjoy post-apocalyptic books and long books, Swan Song is not a terrible use of credits, but far from the best.

Good story even with the gaps.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes! The story was intriguing and well written, but felt like there was something left out in the middle.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Josh, although I feel he could have played alittle stronger character in the ending.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

It was well read, but the narrator got abit monotonal at times.

Favorite

Read this many years ago and loved this audio as much as the first time.