The Swarm: A Novel [Hardcover]

Frank Schatzing (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 23, 2006

For more than two years, one book has taken over Germany's hardcover and paperback bestseller lists, reaching number one in Der Spiegel and setting off a frenzy in bookstores: The Swarm.

Whales begin sinking ships. Toxic, eyeless crabs poison Long Island's water supply. The North Sea shelf collapses, killing thousands in Europe. Around the world, countries are beginning to feel the effects of the ocean's revenge as the seas and their inhabi-tants begin a violent revolution against mankind. In this riveting novel, full of twists, turns, and cliffhangers, a team of scientists discovers a strange, intelligent life force called the Yrr that takes form in marine animals, using them to wreak havoc on humanity for our ecological abuses. Soon a struggle between good and evil is in full swing, with both human and suboceanic forces battling for control of the waters. At stake is the survival of the Earth's fragile ecology -- and ultimately, the survival of the human race itself.

The apocalyptic catastrophes of The Day After Tomorrow meet the watery menace of The Abyss in this gripping, scientifically realistic, and utterly imaginative thriller. With 1.5 million copies sold in Germany -- where it has been on the bestseller list without fail since its debut -- and the author's skillfully executed blend of compelling story, vivid characters, and eerie locales, Frank Schatzing's The Swarm will keep you in tense anticipation until the last suspenseful page is turned.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“With The Swarm, Frank Schatzing competes with the likes of Michael Crichton.” (Brigitte )

“At once intellectual and intoxicating, this novel is alarming, unnerving, and overwhelming in every respect.” (Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger )

“... a mind-bending, Crichton-esque fate-of-the-planet thriller ... enormously entertaining ... I recommend you dive right in.” (Fangoria )

“The outside world could disintegrate and the reader wouldn’t notice because of the spellbinding power of ... Frank Schatzing’s apocalyptic thriller. (Die Tageszeitung )

“With The Swarm, Frank Schatzing lifts the German suspense novel up to the international level.” (Süddeutsche Zeitung )

“Whoever read[s] Frank Schatzing’s novel will be thankful for every inch of dry land and will certainly avoid waterbeds.” (Die Zeit )

“An effervescent cocktail of adventure.” (Der Spiegel )

“A gripping thriller starring nature unleashed. A monster of science-fiction, rich in facts.” (Stern )

“The world could collapse around you [while reading The Swarm], and you wouldn’t notice.” (Die Welt )

“After these 1,000 breathtaking pages you see the sea with different eyes.” (Focus )

“A gripping novel with fast-paced action, interesting and believable characters ... Enthralling. I was engrossed and on tenterhooks throughout.” (Peter Constantine, award-winning translator of Thomas Mann's Six Early Stories )

“It’s doubtful you’ll ever come up for air ... this ultimate summer read that recalls the best of Crichton and King.” (Contra Costa Times )

About the Author

In addition to the international bestseller Der Schwarm, Frank Schatzing is also the author of several novels, including the recent political and historical thrillers Lautlos and Keine Angst. Before becoming Germany's most successful thriller writer in decades, Schatzing was an advertising executive. He lives in Cologne, Germany.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 896 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow (May 23, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060813261
• ISBN-13: 978-0060813260
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.2 x 2.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (94 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #815,571 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good book., February 14, 2007

By 

Juddman (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Swarm: A Novel (Hardcover)

I really enjoyed reading The Swarm. It kept me engrossed from start to finish with only one or two slow bits that I still found interesting. The characters are very well written so you can get into their heads. I thought there was plenty of action interspersed throughout the story, but the non-action was just as good. Excellent explanation of the problem at hand and how it was discovered etc.

I will admit this book is quite preachy and bashes America a little bit. Mostly though it slams all of the non-3rd world countries and their populations for what they (we) have done to the planet. However, while I'm sure the author was getting a point across with this, the book is a work of fiction (science fiction at that). He succeeds in making it sound plausible for our destruction to be carried out by our own actions. He obviously writes the president to be George Jr. and writes it like a cartoon version which I can't really object to as the real Bush is a joke.

I'm not personally a tree hugger and am a proud American. I also was not offended by this book in the least. Maybe it hit too close to home for some of the negative reviewers. I would recommend it to anyone.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining and thought provoking, July 31, 2006

By 

P. Germroth (Seffner, FL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Swarm: A Novel (Hardcover)

Frank Schaetzing's "Der Schwarm" has been so immensely popular in Europe because it combines technological (science) fiction with characters who think (and don't constantly just act) and thought provoking passages between the action pages. If you forgive me this comparison, this novel is not for the fast food pizza consumer, but a delicate feast that requires deliberate tasting and chewing.
I was disappointed, yet not suprised by some reviews that complain about volume, style and scarcity of heavy action. Sorry my friends, this ain't AVP or StarWars. I recommend this novel only for the ones amoung you who still like to use the brain they have. You'll love it.

28 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The penultimate summer beach book, August 4, 2006

By 

Pegleg (North Carolina USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Swarm: A Novel (Hardcover)

This is the best beach book to come along in a while; if you dare to read it on the beach. It concerns deep ocean threats, but is much more than a common eco-disaster thriller. There are elements of horror, science fiction and thrillers/political intrigue, all mixed together in a briny stew.

I love environmental disaster books, and The Swarm is one of the best. The translation is, for the most part, excellent, and the "Britishisms" are easy to understand. Unfortunately, some typos exist (not very many for an 880 p. novel), in addition to some "unusual phrasings" that show mistranslations. For example, remember the scene in Die Hard 3 when the guy gives himself away by saying "it's raining dogs and cats"? That sort of thing occurs 3-4 times, and should have been caught by the American proofers. There is also some "eco-propaganda", including one 3 p. "insert" that should have been omitted. But this is not the overwhelming kind, and the story flows, at breakneck pace, with only a couple of small bumps.

All-in-all, this was one pleasurable read, and my only regret is that there aren't another 15-20 novels by Schatzing. Maybe this will open the door to translating some of the new German horror writers (hint hint).

Pegleg