On Swift Wings: The Travails of Cygnus is a work of literary fiction based around the world of Gulliver’s Travels, and was penned by author Brett M. Wiens. Taking the tradition of satire and humor from the original world and work of Jonathan Swift, this modern and amusing parody drama gives us a fresh and often scathing perspective on the current state of the world. Our central character Cygnus is a modern-day hero weary of the world, but when he survives a plane crash and finds himself in an as-yet-undiscovered society where incredulous feats are at play, the reflections that he learns in his experience teach him much about life, truth, and hope.
There are many fantastic inventions and adaptations in this intelligent work by author Brett M. Wiens, which intermingles some of Swift’s original ideas with plenty of new ones and puts a modern social twist on those that remain. The anti-intellectuals were a particular favorite and are sure to be a sore spot for certain political believers in our current climate. For those who really enjoy sardonic humor, fantastic satire and a little dose of farce, there’s much to enjoy in chapter after chapter of this odyssey of poignant images and conversations. Wiens’s dialogue lends fresh sharpness to the tale, yet there are plenty of homages to give a nostalgic nod back to Gulliver and his similar voyage of discovery. Overall, On Swift Wings: The Travails of Cygnus is sure to be a hit with literary fiction fans of all ages.
Brett Wiens 