Frank Schätzing

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Frank Schätzing

Frank Schätzing (born 1957 in Cologne), is a German writer, mostly known for his best-selling science fiction novel The Swarm (2004).

1 Life
2 Works
- 2.1 Books
- 2.2 Audiobooks
3 Prizes
4 External links

[edit] Life

Schätzing studied communication studies and ran his own company, an advertising agency named INTEVI, in Cologne. Schätzing became a writer in 1990, and penned several novellas and satires. Schätzing published his first novel Tod und Teufel in 1995, and in 2000 his thriller Lautlos.

Schätzing achieved his greatest success in 2004 with the science fiction thriller The Swarm. It became a notable national bestseller, and was lauded by many critics and readers for containing well-researched information about marine biology, geology, and geophysics. However, some critics have commented that the book is overly long, and that the story has been marred both by poor editing and some factual errors (notably that methane in the book is described as having a strong smell, even though in reality it is an odourless gas).

The novel borrows some ideas from the Gaia Theory. It hits on the notion that mankind's activities have created conditions that begin to affect a delicate equilibrium of biotic and abiotic conditions that have fostered and sustained complex life forms and ecosystems. An unknown intelligence from the oceans, named the Yrr, tries to exterminate man in return for destroying its habitat.

Uma Thurman bought the film rights to The Swarm in May 2006, which is now in development and due for release in 2008.

[edit] Works

[edit] Books

Tod und Teufel (1995), ISBN 3442455316
Mordshunger (1996), ISBN 3924491712
Die dunkle Seite (1997), ISBN 3924491852
Keine Angst (1999), ISBN 3924491887
Lautlos (2000), ISBN 3897052113
Der Schwarm (2004), ISBN 3462033743
Nachrichten aus einem unbekannten Universum (2006), ISBN 3462036904
Die tollkühnen Abenteuer der Ducks auf hoher See (ed.) (2006), ISBN 393638424X