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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 Songis Robert McCammon’s prescient and “shocking” (John Saul) 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: 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. . . .(Goodreads)
Swan song is a book that keeps you thinking and especially reading. I never even made up my mind if I actually liked the book or not. It made me think of The Stand, even the battle between good and evil made its way into this novel.
At first I found it difficult to find the right pace for this novel. I couldn't identify with the characters, only Swan herself seemed to me a plausible human being, the others felt rather empty. As the story continued I bonded with Sister and her quest to find Swan and eventually her task of keeping her safe.
Also Josh made it to the end with feeling. He must be the most lovingly giant this post-apocalyptic world has to offer.
The story made a lot of sense. A world being destroyed because people in high positions don't understand they're playing a game with real lives at stake. Something that back in de seventies and eighties wasn't merely in people's imagination. The aftermath shows signs of good battling bad, but I think when writing such novels you're kind of obligated to add this pinch of supernatural power because otherwise you're just writing a novel about people dying. There isn't a way people would survive such a holocaust.
I would recommend this novel to anyone who loves to read about the life or death struggles of mankind and how we always overcome evil. And just about anyone who loves a lengthy story about a world that could've happened.
Personal score: Between 3,5 and 4 stars
