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Swan Songs
An experimental and humorous modern satire about Leonard Swanson, a hip-hop visionary from the north-west of England, as he works in factories and tries to make the greatest rap album of all time.
"Unfortunately making the greatest rap album of all time was to be put on hold as the insidious Job Centre advisors had finally had enough of my shit. I would be forced to sign up to one of the town's two recruitment agencies, or I would be starved of weed money."
Leonard Swanson lives in an obscure north-western town -- the kind that "has a knack for swallowing you whole". He is supposed to be making the greatest rap album of all time, Swan Songs, but instead is forced to work in one of the town's factories, "picking things up and putting them down for twelve hours in a giant white room".
Swan Songs follows Leonard as he works, quits, signs on, and travels the country, playing in small capacity venues for even smaller capacity audiences, for which he gets "paid in booze, drugs and a night on a bed bug-ridden mattress somebody dragged in from the street", all the while making the album he thinks will change hip-hop forever.
Part Alan Sillitoe and part William Burroughs, UK rapper Lee Scott's debut novel, partially based on his own experiences of becoming a rapper in Runcorn, is an experimental and humorous modern satire about the perils of being a hip-hop visionary far from the beaten track...
"Unfortunately making the greatest rap album of all time was to be put on hold as the insidious Job Centre advisors had finally had enough of my shit. I would be forced to sign up to one of the town's two recruitment agencies, or I would be starved of weed money."
Leonard Swanson lives in an obscure north-western town -- the kind that "has a knack for swallowing you whole". He is supposed to be making the greatest rap album of all time, Swan Songs, but instead is forced to work in one of the town's factories, "picking things up and putting them down for twelve hours in a giant white room".
Swan Songs follows Leonard as he works, quits, signs on, and travels the country, playing in small capacity venues for even smaller capacity audiences, for which he gets "paid in booze, drugs and a night on a bed bug-ridden mattress somebody dragged in from the street", all the while making the album he thinks will change hip-hop forever.
Part Alan Sillitoe and part William Burroughs, UK rapper Lee Scott's debut novel, partially based on his own experiences of becoming a rapper in Runcorn, is an experimental and humorous modern satire about the perils of being a hip-hop visionary far from the beaten track...
270 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 14, 2021
9 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 8, 2022
I often struggle with surreal fiction because I’m unable to work out if I ‘get’ it, whether there is anything to ‘get’ or whether the whole thing is just a bit emperor’s new clothes. But this struck a solid balance between surrealism, satire and story telling.
It’s a good, possibly great book and well worth a read. The writing is solid, witty and clear. Naturally, comparisons are drawn with Boroughs, but Swan Song also reminded me of Will Self and Magnus Mills.
The only thing that I was a bit unsatisfied with was the different versions of people ideas explored in ‘The Last Tamara’ and another earlier chapter. It felt like it should have been better developed or perhaps it was, but bits were edited out for the final draft.
Then again, perhaps this is just one of those things I don’t get…
4/5
It’s a good, possibly great book and well worth a read. The writing is solid, witty and clear. Naturally, comparisons are drawn with Boroughs, but Swan Song also reminded me of Will Self and Magnus Mills.
The only thing that I was a bit unsatisfied with was the different versions of people ideas explored in ‘The Last Tamara’ and another earlier chapter. It felt like it should have been better developed or perhaps it was, but bits were edited out for the final draft.
Then again, perhaps this is just one of those things I don’t get…
4/5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2022
A bit of a unique read- both the writing and story are completely bizarre and unpredictable. Refreshing, both easy to get through but also overwhelmingly complex. Casts a light onto the system of british poverty and how easy it is to be stuck within it. Lee Scott definitely has a pretty genius imagination. Would definitely reccomend to others. Does get rather confusing however-unable to tell if the character is going through a full blown psychosis, that what's happening IS just part of the plot, or if hes just making it up for fun. The ending is a bit of an anti climax and leaves you kinda frustrated, but I feel probably fits well with the point of the story.
December 3, 2021
Swan Songs is a novel about a man from a town in the north west of England trying to make the greatest rap album of all time, but finding strange things keep getting in his way. Leonard Swanson lives in a dead end town trying to write his rap album, but instead ends up having to work at the local factory. When he quits and leaves the town, searching for fame and fortune (at least more than the nothing he currently has), it turns out things are a bit stranger than expected, but that won't stop him trying to find money and make the greatest rap album of all time.
An experimental novel that combines satire with surreal elements and the struggles of trying to create whilst still needing money to live, Swan Songs is split into chapters that function like episodes, occasionally disorientating, but following Leonard through his adventures in drink, drugs, and finding somewhere to stay. Without wanting to give away any of the plot, which takes an unexpected turn later on, I will say that there is some good satire of class and the mega rich wanting to know what it is like to be poor in a kind of poverty tourism way, even though the concept behind this is similar to other things, particularly a fairly recent horror film. I liked the meandering anecdotes and episodic nature of the novel, though I did sometimes lose track of what was going on.
This is a witty and weird book that satirises class, place, and trying to make it in the early 2000s, with a dash of surreal sci-fi. If you like strange, experimental British novels, it's worth a read.
An experimental novel that combines satire with surreal elements and the struggles of trying to create whilst still needing money to live, Swan Songs is split into chapters that function like episodes, occasionally disorientating, but following Leonard through his adventures in drink, drugs, and finding somewhere to stay. Without wanting to give away any of the plot, which takes an unexpected turn later on, I will say that there is some good satire of class and the mega rich wanting to know what it is like to be poor in a kind of poverty tourism way, even though the concept behind this is similar to other things, particularly a fairly recent horror film. I liked the meandering anecdotes and episodic nature of the novel, though I did sometimes lose track of what was going on.
This is a witty and weird book that satirises class, place, and trying to make it in the early 2000s, with a dash of surreal sci-fi. If you like strange, experimental British novels, it's worth a read.
September 28, 2022
I met Josh Herdman (a/k/a Gregory Goyle from the Harry Potter movies) while he was visiting OKC as part of Horror Con. A friend of mine dragged me to the local Holiday Inn for what was promised to be “bar trivia” but was actually a bunch of little kids asking Herdman questions about Harry Potter. I followed him out for a smoke break and asked my own question (“Can I buy you a drink?”), which led to a lovely conversation about….. everything, including "Swan Songs."
Herdman said "Swan Songs" captured his attention in the first 20 pages. He is ALONE in that sentiment. It took me 3 days to read the first 20 pages. In fact, I HATED the first half of this book. Herdman also told he has a "bad habit" of starting books but not finishing them - though he did finish this one. I have a "bad habit" of finishing every book I start, so I slogged through - and the second half did read much faster, and even evoked a couple of giggles. For example, I found this nugget toward the end: "If I had to describe myself in two words..... I wouldn't." Ha!
If you are looking for VERY experimental literature, "Swan Songs" is it! And, who knows? If you have a better understanding and/or appreciation of (1) rap music, (2) British slang, and (3) drug-induced hallucinations (???) than I do, and (4) have a high tolerance for sentence fragments, you just might like it. But if you are only inclined to read this book because you (like me) think Josh Herdman is kinda sexy..... just don't.
Herdman said "Swan Songs" captured his attention in the first 20 pages. He is ALONE in that sentiment. It took me 3 days to read the first 20 pages. In fact, I HATED the first half of this book. Herdman also told he has a "bad habit" of starting books but not finishing them - though he did finish this one. I have a "bad habit" of finishing every book I start, so I slogged through - and the second half did read much faster, and even evoked a couple of giggles. For example, I found this nugget toward the end: "If I had to describe myself in two words..... I wouldn't." Ha!
If you are looking for VERY experimental literature, "Swan Songs" is it! And, who knows? If you have a better understanding and/or appreciation of (1) rap music, (2) British slang, and (3) drug-induced hallucinations (???) than I do, and (4) have a high tolerance for sentence fragments, you just might like it. But if you are only inclined to read this book because you (like me) think Josh Herdman is kinda sexy..... just don't.
Currently reading
March 18, 2022---Just started this book, am 50 pages in and had to put it down I got so giddy reading it-- it feels like one of Mr. Lee's rap songs coming off of the pages, and reading his writing after so many years of listening to his lyrics is completely astounding --- he is a genius on all things word related--- a stunning start to what I know will be a perfect read --- proud to own a copy, know of two others that have read it--- rap gang bookclub worthy--- sweg
June 8, 2022
On paper, this is totally my sort of book. But then, it took my apprehension and then took it in all sorts of ways and threw it at the wall. It's a great angst-ridden, modern day beat poet masterpiece that all major publishers are looking for (and clearly passed on) but I think is a contender. It just wasn't for me.
I dunno, it was a bit too weird for Farley.
I dunno, it was a bit too weird for Farley.
July 18, 2023
Feels like it’s a required experience to consume this as an audiobook. As a first novel, solid writing in general with any clunkiness easily forgivable as the whole style is unconventional anyway. Probably would be less enjoyable without a certain level of interest / appreciation of rap, psychedelic episodes and northern English working class struggles.
January 11, 2022
Never read anything like this before. Absolutely taken with it. Brilliant weird and wonderful storyline. The mind of a genius fabulous imagination. I was engrossed from beginning to end. Wish there was a sequel.
December 1, 2022
It's a bit like if the beat generation were working class English geezers and not rich Americans. If you've experienced signing on, horrific psychedelic trips and drinking all the free beers in a damp venue green room it will likely do more for you
January 15, 2022
Weird and wonderful. Like a modern hip hop They Live meets Naked Lunch. I adored every page.
August 3, 2022
God awful. If you are a fan or Lee Scott's music and have never read a book in your life - you might like it.. I guess.
July 25, 2023
i’ve no idea what i just read but i kind of liked it?
January 21, 2024
loved it !!
July 20, 2025
So much fun to read, being a fan of his music for years I had to buy it. Full of madness but also makes so much sense.
January 8, 2026
the original concept, an average brit working on the greatest rap album of all time while working at a draining job was comforting... and then the whole plot changed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2026
enjoyable, ending strange
February 11, 2026
how could i forget my bubba, read ages ago
March 30, 2022
Swan Songs is an experimental, surreal novel about a man from the North East named Leonard Swanson. His mission: to create greatest rap album of all time. This story is given to us in contained snippets that meander from start to finish with some unexpected stops along the way. Swan Songs is a satirical commentary on class in the UK , with much of the story following Leonard Swanson finding ways to trick the benefit system, as well as the rich paying to inhabit the bodies of the poor. It explores what it means to have a dream, and what it takes to follow one.
As is often the case with more surreal and experimental work, it's quite easy to lose the thread of the narrative but if you stick with it, you will find they create a bow. Having read another book by a rapper - Supermarket by Bobby Hall - there are surprising comparisons, both in terms of narrative styles and plot twists. Also, whilst both narrators break the fourth wall, Scott does in a more mocking style creating some lightness to this surreal novel.
This is definitely not your every day novel. The publisher, Repeater Books, is dedicated to giving voices to more off-beat artworks of which this is one. If you don't mind a slow burner and you're looking for something surreal and satirical, this may be the book for you.
As is often the case with more surreal and experimental work, it's quite easy to lose the thread of the narrative but if you stick with it, you will find they create a bow. Having read another book by a rapper - Supermarket by Bobby Hall - there are surprising comparisons, both in terms of narrative styles and plot twists. Also, whilst both narrators break the fourth wall, Scott does in a more mocking style creating some lightness to this surreal novel.
This is definitely not your every day novel. The publisher, Repeater Books, is dedicated to giving voices to more off-beat artworks of which this is one. If you don't mind a slow burner and you're looking for something surreal and satirical, this may be the book for you.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews