Review: Swan Song

5 stars. Can't give it anything less, can I? Swan Song is a masterpiece, through-and-through, and it continues to live up to the hype as a "modern classic." The length is justified, there is no better example of a large cast of characters, and it contains moments that are genuinely the stuff of nightmares. Of course it shows its age, of course it slides into cheesy 80s action sequences (especially at the climax), but all of those things are part of what makes it so... amazing, and such a delight. I’m going to miss this found family and the hope they managed to carve out for themselves in a cruel, dark world.

A broad summary, because a detailed one would take ages to outline: the nuclear apocalypse has arrived. The world spins on, flattened under the weight of its human-borne, human-bred trauma. Cities demolished, scorched, the sun blocked by clouds and a cold, permanent winter. Those who survive do so barely, and under the darkest of circumstances. But humans are resilient, and relentless, and our characters wield each of these traits in different ways - revealing, in the wasteland of the end of the world, their true faces, for better or worse. 

I absolutely loved the first 25% of this especially. The level of horror depicted is completely unhinged, and unmatched. The imagery - McCammon's writing is destructive, vivid, and beautiful, and horrifying. The burns, the heaving earth, the screams, the insanity, the smells, the pain, the shock and awe of it all. Truly something, and like nothing I've read before. And the way the rest of it all unfolded... I could've read about these characters circling each other for years and years - though it was great to watch them clash eventually. The scenes in Kmart, by the way… holy shit.

So, my complaints. There's almost no use anymore - this book has been picked apart so much. But look, you know I'm going to point out the incredibly upsetting animal deaths. My spidey senses started tingling when I was about 40% of the way in, and I almost put it down for good. But I didn't. If there's an author out there who can be trusted to utilize these types of plot devices wisely, it's Robert McCammon. I survived. I also have some questions around certain aspects that were maybe left open to interpretation... 

Oh, and I have to say it: it is kind of fun to pit this book against The Stand - what's wrong with a fun little competition, even when they aren't really that similar at all? I'd choose Swan Song every time - it's tighter, way less meandering, kinder to women and nastier in a good way - but that aside, I'd love to battle someone on this over a bottle of something. Go ahead, convince me I'm wrong! Makes me so happy that people have read both!

I would end maybe, with this: while Swan Song isn't perfect - what book is? - I can't think of, or recommend, a better way to spend your time than reading through its pages. It should sit on everyone's bookshelf, a hefty escape window; a reminder of the power of story, and the relief of a happy ending (fictional as it may be)... the way that tropes and cliches can still come together in fresh and compelling ways and teach us wonderful lessons. Swan Song held an extremely noisy darkness at bay for me, maybe it will for you too. 

Swan Song on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads