Leo Frankowski (1943 - 2008)

[james_davis_nicoll]

editrx has relayed the news that she was informed that Leo Frankowski died yesterday.

Comments

[tavella.livejournal.com]

Can't say I regard this as much of a loss to either life or literature.

I'll Give Him This Much

[tandw.livejournal.com]

"Any man's death diminishes me, for I am involved in mankind...."--John Donne, Meditation 17

[xiphias.livejournal.com]

Man, that's young.

To my shame, I actually kinda like the cross-time engineer books.

[patchwork-prose.livejournal.com]

I read all of his cross-time engineer books as they came out and quite enjoyed them. So sorry to hear of his death.

[grimjim.livejournal.com]

His web site has been updated with a brief obituary.
http://www.leofrankowski.com/content/

[nihilistic-kid.livejournal.com]

It's sad, but of course my second thought was "Did his wife finally kill him?"

Ah, the obit says: "After marrying and subsequently divorcing a Russian"...an odd way to put it. I guess Russian women aren't as submissive as he had hoped?

[carloshasanax.livejournal.com]

The poor man.

nil nisi bonum

[jonquil.livejournal.com]

I shall be busy mourning Eartha Kitt.

Leo will be missed.

[(Anonymous)]

I must say I am dismayed that people would use a memorial page to spew venom against an author who they have not even read. I read most of his work and I am proud to say that I enjoyed it and I do consider myself a liberal. If you believe Leo was a racist or a sexist without reading and prejudging his work it then you are no better than the people who did the same thing to Mark Twain. Leo you wrote excellent science fiction. You did not get as much recognition as you deserved. You will be missed.

Sad

[(Anonymous)]

I'm so sorry Leo.
You brought me a lot of happiness with your writing.
I wish your final years were happier.
Thank you for all of your books.

Leo Frankowski- remembered

[(Anonymous)]

I've read everything Leo Frankowski ever wrote. I loved the Conrad series. Coopernicks rebellion was a blast and still holds up well 25 years later. A Boy and His Tank was a great read and very clever and visionary. I am saddened that the series it started will never be completed. I've been waiting and watching for the next book to appear but today found out that Leo died last year. His work lives and I will never stop recommending it.

Marty Lowell

R.I.P.

[(Anonymous)]

A nod to Leo for his fun writing. I thoroughly enjoyed his books, in particular, the Cross Time Engineer series.

And for those that criticize his honest view on life (according to him), shame... it's his opinion... if you don't like it, don't read it... I'm sure there are those out there that do not agree with your opinions either.

Your books will live fondly in my memory. :)

If you're so proud of your opinions on

[emt-hawk.livejournal.com]

Frankowski's writing, feel free to login for your posts.

Posting anonymously annoys me more than what you said. Everybody's entitled to an opinion. Hiding behind the anonymous means you aren't willing to stand behind your opinion. That you're somehow ashamed of it.

I happened to like his books, but then I was a twenty-thirty-something male, where fantasies of having a harem amuse me. Apparently, they amused John Ringo, too.

--Hawk

Leo Leo leo

[daniel wallace macmullin (from livejournal.com)]

well.
I've read all the Posts...and most of you are Morons. But I live and work among Morons, so i am used to it.

Leo was a magnificent individual, and I respected all his work and fond NONE of them wanting. I find my life wanting. I find my friends wanting. Hell, I find everything wanting. But Leo's work was great. Rape scene was offensive? Fuck you. I've studied History, thank you very much, and I know the world was a very ugly place for a long time. I can't stand Americans, so I can pretty much place most of the stupid comments on this page in my waste paper bin of the mind...
Most men will never accomplish a tenth of what Leo accomplished, and I have discovered most of Leo's opinions have proven accurate. I for one feel blessed to have found his work early in life, and consider his first editions on my shelf one of my finest treasures. i am proud to have introduced him to many many people, and if there is a bomb (I can only hope) or an environmental disaster that destroys most of the world, and I somehow survive...his books will be priceless. Not like most of the people blogging here...you can be my workers...

Leo Leo leo

[daniel wallace macmullin (from livejournal.com)]

well.
I've read all the Posts...and most of you are Morons. But I live and work among Morons, so i am used to it.

Leo was a magnificent individual, and I respected all his work and fond NONE of them wanting. I find my life wanting. I find my friends wanting. Hell, I find everything wanting. But Leo's work was great. Rape scene was offensive? Fuck you. I've studied History, thank you very much, and I know the world was a very ugly place for a long time. I can't stand Americans, so I can pretty much place most of the stupid comments on this page in my waste paper bin of the mind...
Most men will never accomplish a tenth of what Leo accomplished, and I have discovered most of Leo's opinions have proven accurate. I for one feel blessed to have found his work early in life, and consider his first editions on my shelf one of my finest treasures. i am proud to have introduced him to many many people, and if there is a bomb (I can only hope) or an environmental disaster that destroys most of the world, and I somehow survive...his books will be priceless. Not like most of the people blogging here...you can be my workers...
Dan MacMullin
Canada

Leo, women, etc.

[(Anonymous)]

I was Leo's editor at Del Rey for many of his books. He was a nice but complex fellow. I corresponded with him from time to time after I left Del Rey in '99. I think I can say that the characters in Leo's books do not necessarily reflect Leo's views. Much of the material about female characters that is thought to be objectionable was written by Leo to annoy people who annoy easily. I know this because we discussed it fairly often.

From my dealings with Leo, it was clear that he respected women as individuals, never had anything derogatory to say about a woman unless she had for some reason merited it.

As far as his time in Russia is concerned, I think he was a bit naive. Leo was not a small man, nor handsome, and he was surprised that in Russia he could date women who, in the States, would not have stopped to call for help if he'd fallen over in the street and been struck by a car. He liked the fact that in Russia he could date women who were independent, well educated, and good looking. And he loved the fact that they stood up to him. It did not seem to have occurred to him that the fact that he was considered a catch in Russia might have had something to do with the Russian economy and a population of women who'd grown tired of infantile Russian men. And of living poor.

I have no idea what killed his marriage: whether it was Leo's running short of money, a wife who despaired over Leo's apparent inability to learn Russian or to lose weight or who just decided she couldn't handle his personality any longer. Or something more sinister.

But I miss him. He was funny and very smart. And a real bastard to negotiate with.

Owen Lock

R.I.P Leo F

[(Anonymous)]

You were a great writer.Thank you for what you left behind.

A Brilliant Storyteller...

[(Anonymous)]

Not going to comment on the other posters here but did want to say that Mr. Frankowski was a brilliant storyteller and I greatly enjoyed his writings. I also enjoyed his postings about his castle and wish he had been able to finish it. I'll miss his work and wish I had had the opportunity to meet him. Therman Campbell.

My favorite author

[(Anonymous)]

Even though I know there will never be another, I still always look for a Leo Franowski book when in the book store. Thanks Leo, you're missed.

A fan

[(Anonymous)]

I read the Conrad series in my early 20's. Enjoyable read. Over the next decade or so I read the rest of his work and enjoyed it also. I just found out the he passed away and I'm saddened that there won't be future frankowski work available. I'm thankful that I was able to enjoy what he did write though. Cheers Leo. Thanks for the good times.

Trevor Fletcher
British Columbia
Canada

R.I.P Leo Frankowski

[(Anonymous)]

Agree with the positive comments about this awesome writer...I've read everything of his I could get my greedy little hands on and still lament that there will be no more. The Conrad books are some of my favorite works EVER--just bought them & A Boy & His Tank for my kindle.
Immensely talented writer,I like him like I like Heinlein or Ringo,nowadays.
Anyway, you will be missed, Mr. Frankowski,& thankyou for all the hours of pleasure you afforded me with your books...

Was he important?

[(Anonymous)]

He made me laugh out loud while I was just reading along and BANG I was laughing out loud. I never laugh outloud, I am pretty sure Leo was important, he mocked the 007/Hugh Heffner/John Wayne world view while giving geeks of all ages some of the funniest pages ever written.

RIP

[(Anonymous)]

I still think fondly of his Conrad series after all these years...

There were a fun read... especially for those with a technical mind...

RIP

A legacy

[(Anonymous)]

Everything I've read by Leo I've enjoyed. He's made me see the world through a myriad of different lenses.

I've wandered New Kasubia with you, dreamed of living in trees genetically altered to house people and looked out to see for the famed Fata Morgana.

Rest in Peace, your war is over.