I've just recently heard of Robert McCammon, so can anyone recommend any of his good books for someone who has never read anything by him?

Good timing, as I'm reading my first McCammon right now, Gone South. It's about a Vietnam vet on the run from the law for accidentally killing a man. Not bad so far, but it's taken a strange twist with two bounty hunters on his trail, an Elvis impersonator and a main with his underformed brother attached to his side.

Honk!

Required McCammon readings:

Swan Song - this one easily rivals The Stand in tone and scope

Boy's Life - a beautifully, weird Bradbury/Straub like novel


and stick with Gone South - it's a good time, as well

Swan Song is awesome.

Stinger was good too, but just doesn't stand up to Swan Song. I especially liked it because it took place in Texas.

As for his latest published work, Speaks the Nightbird, it is a wonderful read. Very unlike his other books, there is virtually no supernatural element, but there is enough suspense and apprehension to go around. It's about a witch trial in colonial America. Seriously, it's a damn good read.

My fav is Boy's Life

The only one I've read so far is Boy's Life, and it was excellent. I want to read Swan Song next.

The only one I didn't like too much was Baal.

Hard to tell a favorite: Horror would be Bethany's Sin and non Horror Boy's Life

Will start reading Speaks the Nightbird today, yay
Didn't know he finished that until a few weeks ago

Quapil, good to hear someone likes Bethany's Sin... most pan it pretty bad. I plan on reading all of McCammon's books, but Bethany, as well as Baal, have been pretty much relegated to the end of the line. Maybe Bethany will move up a notch now.

And enjoy Nightbird! It's a treat! I might be biased though, since I've been getting into colonial/revolutionary biographies lately, which may have 'put me in the mood' for the book, but I just thought it was a great read.

My favorite of his is The Wolf's Hour.

I also loved Swan Song, A Boy's Life, They Thirst, and Speaks the Nightbird.

I agree that Baal is his weakest book (it was his first to be published), it's still better than a lot that is out there.

I have read Swan Song and Stinger, and greatly enjoyed both of them.

That's my favorite too. Interesting take on

A great writer, but some of his stuff was obvious copies of Stephen King's books (They Thirst is a good example of 'Salem's Lot moved to LA and Swan Song's Theme is very similar to The Stand). I highly recommend his short story anthology "Blue World". Some very good horror stories mixed in with others less easily defined. The story "Blue World" (from which the book takes its name) is one of my favorite stories of all time.

Hm, maybe it's because it was the first McCammon book i read
I always wanted to read them all again, but I don't find the time lately.

Didn't make it past page 40 of Nightbird so far. Damn, i need more time.

I quite enjoyed the Wolf's Hour too but not too much.
Maybe because it was the first of his books I read in english language (wasn't translated into German) and when I read it a few years ago I wasn't that used to watch movies/read book in their original language

But now they mainly translate King, Koontz, Saul and Herbert so I had to improve my english skills, hehe


Anyway, McCammon sure is a great writer!

Had to bump this and let y'all know I just got an advance reading copy of MINE today in the mail from an eBay auction... for ten bucks!

And I'm currently reading They Thirst for the first time.

Swan Song and Boy's Life are my favorites as well.

I recommend Boy's Life and Blue World.

tasha